The older woodworker

rocke1 · Post by **rocke1** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:17 pm

I suspect I'll be an elder shortly, my 78th is fast approching. Nver miss a day in my shop and find a few things that make work easier. First the lever that Archimedies said if long enough he could move the world. I have a couple of short wood levers with notches that fit over the SS locks and one the the Porter Cable 690 lock, They ease the finger pain (arthritis) if the lock is tightened too forcefully.A short stool to sit while digging around in bottom drawers or shelves, a taller stool to sit at the Mark 5 lathe while using the lathe duplicator (saves the bending over and the death grip on lathe tools). I'm a six footer so the work bench is higher and the SS table height is just right. Task lighting around all work areas and wheels on every thing.
Power station,power stand and pro planner means not having to lift. You youngsters will find everthing gets heavier as the years go by. Did I mention the lift kit for the Mark5?

So I'm prepared for being the older woodworker some day.

Bob Rockefeller -Virginia Beach VA

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:57 pm

All that stuff will REALLY come in handy when you get older Bob. Good to see you are planning ahead.

So what do you want to be when you grow up anyway??

john · Post by **john** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:00 pm

Bob:

I like your attitude!

It reminds me of a situation I have this year with one of our hockey players. Earlier in the season, he called to tell me he had to miss a couple of games due to not feeling well. Then he called to say that his doctor advised him to slow down as he was playing hockey four times a week. His solution was to play once in our league and one in the "over 70" league, and perhaps leave our league in January when we start a new season. Did I mention he is seventy-nine?

Last Friday he told me he would continue with us in January as the other guys were "too old".

I guess it's all in the mind.

Here's too many more years of woodworking before you become "elder".

John

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:03 pm

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rocke1 · Post by **rocke1** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:12 pm

mickyd wrote:All that stuff will REALLY come in handy when you get older Bob. Good to see you are planning ahead.

So what do you want to be when you grow up anyway??

Good question,A career in the US Navy(submarines, naval air,amphips) then retired to electronics shop. Then after 26 years took up the job of real retirement which is to say woodworking. Not to sure whats next.
Bob

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:22 pm

judaspre1982 wrote:Bob, sounds like you got things figured out to make life a little easier in the shop. At 45 I find my eyesight is not what it used to be. I have needed bifocals the last two times I saw the eye Dr, but just cant seem to bring myself to get them. I guess sooner or later lifting up my glasses to read fine print will get old. I hope to be at it as long as you have. You have been blessed. Have fun---Dave

Been wearing bi/tri focals for 30+ yrs. We be fortunate that we CAN take them off to 'read the fine print'. I still do!

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:14 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Been wearing bi/tri focals for 30+ yrs. We be fortunate that we CAN take them off to 'read the fine print'. I still do!

Yes Sir do feel fortunate re taking off Trifocals to read small print. I see nothing but fuzzy images without mine. Jim

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:53 pm

Thanks for the list of your preparations, Bob!:) Now I know what to do in order to prepare for getting elderly.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:52 pm

fjimp wrote:Yes Sir do feel fortunate re taking off Trifocals to read small print. I see nothing but fuzzy images without mine. Jim

Bet the gal across your street in a bikini is in focus!;)(without glasses) See there is more than one side to every 'problem'.

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The older woodworker

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