Thanks to all for the warm welcome.For Jon,I used to live about 2 miles from Independence and spent many a summer there.Too darn crowded now.But what Minnesota lake isn’t!Played lots of golf at Baker Park also.Bit I digress.I have a question for you fine folks and my question is,How do you keep up enthusiasm for a project?I was building a tool chest and I’m finding myself starting to pick the thing apart and loosing all ispiration for it.I’ve tried looking at it from all different angles and tried different things,but the enthusiasm just isn’t there.So,should I put this project aside and try moving on to a different project or continue to struggle with this?I need some opinions please.Thanks again to all and I appreciate the help.
Blake
Replies
Blake, I'll sometimes set projects aside for a few months. My favorite aspects of woodworking are the up-front processes: the selection of woods and the design...At my age, the actual doing gets to be too much like work sometimes...But often, when making prototypes, it helps to hold up for awhile and just think about optional solutions to the aspects of the piece you aren't totally pleased with. You never know when a good idea will come along...sometimes stimulated by something you do in another project.
The one caveat here, though, is you can't make set-asides a general practice, or your shop will start to look like McGee's closet...and you won't be able to get anything done.
McGee's closet huh?? Really dating yourself there!
derek
Tain't funny Mcgee.
I tend to have the same problem towards the latter third or so of a project. I get a little bored and want to get going on something new (A.D.D.??).
But I know if I put it aside the chances it will get done anytime soon, if ever, are slim so I just plug away and do it anyway. Seems to be the only way for me. Brian
Blakester,
Are you sure the issue is keeping up enthusiasm for a project ( in general)and not that specific project? Almost every project I do, at one time or another, has me wondering why I got into this mess in the first place. A tool chest, however, has a strangly familiar similarity to the tool cabinets I built about 6-8 months ago and have not been able to finish.
Laying out and deciding what goes where and, by default, what does not go in the cabinet is beyond me. Also, how to support the tool..a peg, form fitting post, etc, etc. At this point the cabinets look fine on the outside, open them up and they are empty except for a row of keyholes in a maple board to support the chisels and a few finishing nails that have stuff hanging on them.
I thought the old adage 'build it, and they will come' would apply...and solutions would pour forth....it doesn't....lol.
So I'm wondering if that is an issue that is familiar to you?
Edited 6/23/2003 5:58:43 AM ET by BG
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