A tale of haevy tools and old age

[Neil Larson]

Since I picked up my new lathe, I decided it was time to reorganize my workshop to allow better use of all my tools (and to get the lathe out of the middle of the floor). This is the first time in 4 years that I have done more than minor changes.

Last year I had my right knee replaced and will probably have the other done in the next year, so even tho I am not really old, sometimes I feel like I am. And believe me, today was one of those day. Even tho all my cabinets and tools except the lathe and drill press are on wheels, there is still a lot to moving my jointer, TS, router table, planner, belt sander and drill press around. I spent about 3 hours moving stuff and cleaning up, then spent 2 hours trying to get my lower back, hips and knees to work again. And I still say I am going to do this full time when I retire in 6 years.

I am still not sure if it was the moving of the tools as much as it was cleaning in the cracks and crevices that I normally can't get to ot all the junk that I had to carry out to the garage to get ready for the trash. Or maybe a combination of the 2.

Neil

[John]

That seems to be in the same category as the difficulty in turning my head today, after spending 2 hours upside down under the dash of my younger daughter's car while looking for the cause of an intermittent dead battery. After tracing the 20-odd wires to the security system (dealer installed and just resting on a trim piece - no screws, not even a plastic tie), the problem was found to be a bad turn signal switch which turned on the brake lights at random times while the car was parked.

Relationship to woodworking? This is the daughter who benefitted from the forum's advice on making replacement drawer guides for furniture she inherited from her grandmother (also the source of the car).

John

[asmurff]

Neil I sympathize completely. I have congestive heart failure and have to always remind myself to take my woodworking and honey-do list items at a slower place. I saw this statement someplace and should have a sign in my garage/work shop that says "Only Robinson Crusoe could have everything done by Friday"

[J T]

Mon, May 28, 2007, 7:43pm (EDT-1) [e-mail] (Neil=A0Larson) doth lament: sometimes I feel like I am. And believe me, today was one of those day. Even tho all my cabinets and tools except the lathe and drill press are on wheels, there is still a lot to moving my jointer, TS, router table, planner, belt sander and drill press around. I spent about

3 hours moving stuff and cleaning up, then spent 2 hours trying to get my lower back, hips and knees to work again.

As someone wih arthritis of the spine, and about every oter joint bad, I'd say you weren't working smart. Don't just move something heavy, or if you do just a coupl of inches at a time. If you can, rock them back then "walk" them. Not long ago I took out my old fridge, and replaced it with a new nne, with no help. No prob. Same with a new washer and dryer. But get me to bend over doing something for a couple of minutes, and chances are I'm going to have to find soething I can hang on to and pull myself straight up again. Don't expect me to be able to lift much over 30 pounds or so; and, don't expect me to go up steps leading with my right foot. Some days I can barely even lift a coffee cup with one hand. To use my lathe, or saw, I have o move them, no prob, because I don't lift them, just grab a corner, shift a few inches, repeat. No prob. Sounds like you need to change some of your work habits.

JOAT What is life without challenge and a constant stream of new humiliations?

- Peter Egan