Over in the 'knives' forum..

[ironglow]

.
  Over in the knives forum, I asked the following question;

  "  Many of us are retired, so we have some time on our hands.  A great time to polish any skills or learn new ones.
  Anybody here into anything like wood carving, knife making, stock making, painting in oils, acrylics or water colors, gun smithing..or any other art or skill?

  How about posting here?  Would like to see skills shared..."

   I got not one reply..  Am I to assume that very few of us have another art, skill or craftsmanship which we can share with others?
  To me, retirement goes beyond spending hour after hour on the PC..

  Come on guys...any craft, art, skill or workmanship to share?

[DDZ]

I really don't have a craft or art, but in good weather I like to visit and ride bike on the many of the rail trails in Pa, and and surrounding states like Va, Maryland, Ohio, WV., and NY. The history surrounding these rail trails is very interesting to me.  Whats nice about riding rail trails is there are no hills. There generally is a slight grade in one direction, but mostly flat. There is just a peacefulness I find riding through mostly wooded areas, and along streams and rivers. Generally through the week I can be away from many people, and there is just something about riding with no other sound then your tires rolling over the crushed limestone.  One of my favorite rail trails is the Pine Creek trail that snakes down through the Grand Canyon of Pa., along Pine creek. Its 65 miles long and goes from Welsboro to a town called Jersey Shore. Just a beautiful area. 
 In the winter months I repair and do general maintenance on others bikes, not as a business or to make money. I just do it for friends and people I know. 
Right now I'm waiting on a Jim Kibler Colonial rifle kit that I had ordered a while ago. Was hoping it would get here in February so I could start working on it, but his orders must be backed up.   

[ironglow]

  Now there is a great idea..riding some of the abandoned railbeds which are so often the primarily component of state sponsored recreational trails.
  One important point you made for senior riders & hikers...rail beds are limited to very gentle grades, so trail biking on them is very feasible.
  Last summer, I helped my son do a trail drone coverage for a couple of these trails, a photographic view for state engineers & designers toiuse in improvements. No motor vehicles are normally allowed on those trails, but we used an ATV, and an electric bike to do the job.
  It seems it would be a real kick, carrying camping gear on a bike , and camping along the way.  One trail we covered that way, was from about 20 miles from the PA border, to Rochester, NY...probably 60-70 miles through some beautiful country.

    Grand Canyon of the south of Ansonia and just west of Wellsboro...I have considered doing a scooter trip to that attraction..and perhaps have lunch at the old-time rail car diner in Wellsboro.. May do it this coming summer.

   Now, that rifle kit is exactly what I was talking about...please show us process photos as you do it !

   

[oldandslow]

I grew up drawing with a lead pencil and was pretty good at it and even branched out into painting. I never took to the painting and went back to lead and colored pencils. Now I can barely write my name where it is readable due to tremors. My grandpa, father, and two of his brothers were exceptional at wood work and I got a little of their talent as I can make my way around fairly well with that despite the tremors. After retiring I took up knife making for a time but I can't hammer out a blade anymore or even grind one without making a mess. I have also dabbled with photography for years and with the advent of digital cameras and image stabilization I still get out and take photos now and then. Without IS it would be strictly using a tripod. I am afraid that the time is coming when watching TV or reading will be my only pastimes.

[DDZ]

  Now there is a great idea..riding some of the abandoned railbeds which are so often the primarily component of state sponsored recreational trails.
  One important point you made for senior riders & hikers...rail beds are limited to very gentle grades, so trail biking on them is very feasible.
  Last summer, I helped my son do a trail drone coverage for a couple of these trails, a photographic view for state engineers & designers toiuse in improvements. No motor vehicles are normally allowed on those trails, but we used an ATV, and an electric bike to do the job.
  It seems it would be a real kick, carrying camping gear on a bike , and camping along the way.  One trail we covered that way, was from about 20 miles from the PA border, to Rochester, NY...probably 60-70 miles through some beautiful country.

    Grand Canyon of the south of Ansonia and just west of Wellsboro...I have considered doing a scooter trip to that attraction..and perhaps have lunch at the old-time rail car diner in Wellsboro.. May do it this coming summer.

   Now, that rifle kit is exactly what I was talking about...please show us process photos as you do it !

   

Class 1 Electric bikes are permitted on most all rail trails. Class 1 E-bikes are bikes that are pedal assist and where the electric motor no longer aids in speed after 20mph. E-bikes allow many people that can no longer pedal a bike very far to enjoy bike riding.   I have ate at the famous Wellsboro diner car a few times. Wellsboro is a unique town with all the gas lights running down the center of the main street.  If you ever do the Pine Creek trail Slate Run is about half way. There is a cool place to stay there called Hotel Manor that sits right along pine creek. It has a big deck to dine on or just sit and enjoy the beauty of pine creek and the surrounding mountains.   I do want to bike a couple of the trails around Watkins Gleen in NY. Maybe this summer.
The Jim Kiber kit is one of the easier rifle kits to finish, minus carving or engraving. Which I have no skill in doing either.  I most likely will do the rifle without any carving. I would be to afraid of ruining a 400 dollar piece of wood.   

[ironglow]

I grew up drawing with a lead pencil and was pretty good at it and even branched out into painting. I never took to the painting and went back to lead and colored pencils. Now I can barely write my name where it is readable due to tremors. My grandpa, father, and two of his brothers were exceptional at wood work and I got a little of their talent as I can make my way around fairly well with that despite the tremors. After retiring I took up knife making for a time but I can't hammer out a blade anymore or even grind one without making a mess. I have also dabbled with photography for years and with the advent of digital cameras and image stabilization I still get out and take photos now and then. Without IS it would be strictly using a tripod. I am afraid that the time is coming when watching TV or reading will be my only pastimes.

   Sorry to hear that O&S, but you did it as long as you were able..  Here's hoping though, that an answer can be found for your tremor.  Now, kif you have some, perhaps you can encourage grandchildren into the arts .

[ironglow]

  Now there is a great idea..riding some of the abandoned railbeds which are so often the primarily component of state sponsored recreational trails.
  One important point you made for senior riders & hikers...rail beds are limited to very gentle grades, so trail biking on them is very feasible.
  Last summer, I helped my son do a trail drone coverage for a couple of these trails, a photographic view for state engineers & designers toiuse in improvements. No motor vehicles are normally allowed on those trails, but we used an ATV, and an electric bike to do the job.
  It seems it would be a real kick, carrying camping gear on a bike , and camping along the way.  One trail we covered that way, was from about 20 miles from the PA border, to Rochester, NY...probably 60-70 miles through some beautiful country.

    Grand Canyon of the south of Ansonia and just west of Wellsboro...I have considered doing a scooter trip to that attraction..and perhaps have lunch at the old-time rail car diner in Wellsboro.. May do it this coming summer.

   Now, that rifle kit is exactly what I was talking about...please show us process photos as you do it !

   

Class 1 Electric bikes are permitted on most all rail trails. Class 1 E-bikes are bikes that are pedal assist and where the electric motor no longer aids in speed after 20mph. E-bikes allow many people that can no longer pedal a bike very far to enjoy bike riding.   I have ate at the famous Wellsboro diner car a few times. Wellsboro is a unique town with all the gas lights running down the center of the main street.  If you ever do the Pine Creek trail Slate Run is about half way. There is a cool place to stay there called Hotel Manor that sits right along pine creek. It has a big deck to dine on or just sit and enjoy the beauty of pine creek and the surrounding mountains.   I do want to bike a couple of the trails around Watkins Gleen in NY. Maybe this summer.
The Jim Kiber kit is one of the easier rifle kits to finish, minus carving or engraving. Which I have no skill in doing either.  I most likely will do the rifle without any carving. I would be to afraid of ruining a 400 dollar piece of wood.

   You can however, put much effort and time in a flawless finish...unless you plan on hunting with it regularly, since then it would be anti-climactic to put the effort into a special finish..

[oldandslow]

I grew up drawing with a lead pencil and was pretty good at it and even branched out into painting. I never took to the painting and went back to lead and colored pencils. Now I can barely write my name where it is readable due to tremors. My grandpa, father, and two of his brothers were exceptional at wood work and I got a little of their talent as I can make my way around fairly well with that despite the tremors. After retiring I took up knife making for a time but I can't hammer out a blade anymore or even grind one without making a mess. I have also dabbled with photography for years and with the advent of digital cameras and image stabilization I still get out and take photos now and then. Without IS it would be strictly using a tripod. I am afraid that the time is coming when watching TV or reading will be my only pastimes.

   Sorry to hear that O&S, but you did it as long as you were able..  Here's hoping though, that an answer can be found for your tremor.  Now, kif you have some, perhaps you can encourage grandchildren into the arts .

Oh, there is an answer but I don't like how a high enough dose to completely stop the shakes makes me feel and only take enough to get by with. My #1 grandson is very accomplished with a pencil, in fact he is the equal or better than anyone's work I have ever seen, professional or amature. He started as a little kid and I have always encouraged him. My son is no slouch either and in fact, has a degree in fine arts. He is a realist and said he knew it would do him no good in the real world when he got it. He has laid the pencil down and is deep into photography now. He offered to show me how to use photoshop but I told him I would just forget it too quickly to get any good from it.

[ironglow]

I grew up drawing with a lead pencil and was pretty good at it and even branched out into painting. I never took to the painting and went back to lead and colored pencils. Now I can barely write my name where it is readable due to tremors. My grandpa, father, and two of his brothers were exceptional at wood work and I got a little of their talent as I can make my way around fairly well with that despite the tremors. After retiring I took up knife making for a time but I can't hammer out a blade anymore or even grind one without making a mess. I have also dabbled with photography for years and with the advent of digital cameras and image stabilization I still get out and take photos now and then. Without IS it would be strictly using a tripod. I am afraid that the time is coming when watching TV or reading will be my only pastimes.

   Sorry to hear that O&S, but you did it as long as you were able..  Here's hoping though, that an answer can be found for your tremor.  Now, kif you have some, perhaps you can encourage grandchildren into the arts .

Oh, there is an answer but I don't like how a high enough dose to completely stop the shakes makes me feel and only take enough to get by with. My #1 grandson is very accomplished with a pencil, in fact he is the equal or better than anyone's work I have ever seen, professional or amature. He started as a little kid and I have always encouraged him. My son is no slouch either and in fact, has a degree in fine arts. He is a realist and said he knew it would do him no good in the real world when he got it. He has laid the pencil down and is deep into photography now. He offered to show me how to use photoshop but I told him I would just forget it too quickly to get any good from it.

   Sounds interesting, can you put some of his work on here?  if not, can they post some for you?  I for one, would be interested.  ..Bet others would too !

  Is your tremor from Parkinson's?  My wife suffered from Parkinson's for years..some times a prescription change made a real difference..hope you find a good one...

[darkgael]

I do some wood carving, some metal work, jewelry. Nothing fancy. I have made a few knives and straight razors.
An odd hobby that i have pursued in retirement is collecting and repairing old gasoline and kerosene plumbers torches, miner’s carbide lamps, old kero pressure stoves, lamps and heaters.
I have a licence to fly saiplanes….which I do when I can.

The pictures rotated 90 degrees CC. I did not do that and do not know how to fix.

Note: the copper cup (4th pic down) started as a flat disk like the one in the picture.

[ironglow]

.
  That is some nice work, DG !  ...Bet those chains are in treasured by the ladies in your life !

  Here I am a smith, and still just 'threatening' to make my own razor...and you have already done it !

   What steel did you choose?

[darkgael]

Steel.    1080 15N20.

See Bob Lewis’ Razor making overview on YouTube. His are a lot prettier than mine.

[ironglow]

Steel.    1080 15N20.

See Bob Lewis’ Razor making overview on YouTube. His are a lot prettier than mine.

  Thanks, I'll check that out !

[oldandslow]

I grew up drawing with a lead pencil and was pretty good at it and even branched out into painting. I never took to the painting and went back to lead and colored pencils. Now I can barely write my name where it is readable due to tremors. My grandpa, father, and two of his brothers were exceptional at wood work and I got a little of their talent as I can make my way around fairly well with that despite the tremors. After retiring I took up knife making for a time but I can't hammer out a blade anymore or even grind one without making a mess. I have also dabbled with photography for years and with the advent of digital cameras and image stabilization I still get out and take photos now and then. Without IS it would be strictly using a tripod. I am afraid that the time is coming when watching TV or reading will be my only pastimes.

   Sorry to hear that O&S, but you did it as long as you were able..  Here's hoping though, that an answer can be found for your tremor.  Now, kif you have some, perhaps you can encourage grandchildren into the arts .

Oh, there is an answer but I don't like how a high enough dose to completely stop the shakes makes me feel and only take enough to get by with. My #1 grandson is very accomplished with a pencil, in fact he is the equal or better than anyone's work I have ever seen, professional or amature. He started as a little kid and I have always encouraged him. My son is no slouch either and in fact, has a degree in fine arts. He is a realist and said he knew it would do him no good in the real world when he got it. He has laid the pencil down and is deep into photography now. He offered to show me how to use photoshop but I told him I would just forget it too quickly to get any good from it.

   Sounds interesting, can you put some of his work on here?  if not, can they post some for you?  I for one, would be interested.  ..Bet others would too !

  Is your tremor from Parkinson's?  My wife suffered from Parkinson's for years..some times a prescription change made a real difference..hope you find a good one...

I will ask him and see if he is interested. 

Thankfully it's essential tremors and not Parkinson' which my dad had. There are only two effective medications for tremors according to the neurologist I go to for the problem and one of them is a no-no for me. It slows your heartbeat and mine is already about as low as is safe. I can increase my dose to where I am pretty steady but it has the side effect of causing me to not want to do anything. Darned if I do and darned if I don't.

[ironglow]

  That's the way it gets when one gets old..one symptom fights another..and we try to find a balance..

[oldandslow]

I picked up the leather and fttings today to make my two oldest great grand daughters tooled western belts. I hope the skill hasn't gone away. I made enough of them in my early married life as a side job that I should still be able to get it done just by muscle memory alone. Both, and especially the oldest, have become interested in being "cowboys".    The oldest is learning to rope. 

Wow, good leather and fitting have become expensive since my last purchase.

[ironglow]

I picked up the leather and fttings today to make my two oldest great grand daughters tooled western belts. I hope the skill hasn't gone away. I made enough of them in my early married life as a side job that I should still be able to get it done just by muscle memory alone. Both, and especially the oldest, have become interested in being "cowboys".    The oldest is learning to rope. 

Wow, good leather and fitting have become expensive since my last purchase.

  If they are like my grand kids/great grandkids...they will just love anything done for them by "Gramps"..
   For Christmas I received a cup from my grandson & family, which has the following inscription baked into the cup..  "GRAMPS, THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND"...

[darkgael]

Legend: That had to make you smile.

[oldandslow]

I get a grandpa coffee cup every year for Christmas with the great grandkids latest pictures on it. That way I get to look at my favorite kids every morning while having coffee. I have it on good authority that the belt news was leaked to the oldest and she said,"Wow, grandpa is going to make me a belt" with her "I'm thrilled" voice. After that I absolutely can't have any boo-boos on it.

[ironglow]

I get a grandpa coffee cup every year for Christmas with the great grandkids latest pictures on it. That way I get to look at my favorite kids every morning while having coffee. I have it on good authority that the belt news was leaked to the oldest and she said,"Wow, grandpa is going to make me a belt" with her "I'm thrilled" voice. After that I absolutely can't have any boo-boos on it.

...And you better make a beauty of a belt !

[ironglow]

Legend: That had to make you smile.

  ...Sure warms the heart !