Working on cars alone VS having a few buddies around....

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Just a few days ago I had two good friends come over and help me install the np435 transmission into my power wagon. That was a lot of hard heavy work. They are a little older, in their 50’s, I’m in my 30’s. We all help each other out, go to the swap meets, car shows etc. those 2 older guys sure have some good automotive knowledge. We help each other out often.
In a couple days they will come over and help me lift the front clip back on my truck.

mostly I work by myself, music not too loud. Just calm and mellow, not loud at all or I get irritated when songs come on I don’t like. I absolutely stop what I’m doing and change the song on pandora. Lol
 
Except for Kitty, I have no help. I have several local friends I know who are Mopar guys but I don't think any of them would help if I asked. Kitty and I have come to the conclusion that I must be the biggest asshole ever. Anything anyone has ever asked of me I've done. I lose my *** a lot doing the occasional job just because I enjoy it. I have a couple projects here I'm working on for people, but this time, once I'm done, that's really it for anybody else. I'm going to concentrate on my stuff now, because my health says I need to get my stuff done.
 
Cliff Ramsdell said:
I work better either alone or with one of my sons, or both. A collection of buddies hanging around is a distraction most times to getting work done.

If we are gonna hang around it’s better at a cruise night.

Cliff Ramsdell
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That's really nice, Cliff. I am really happy for you. You need to cherish that, because not every father and son(s) has that relationship. Mine left in 2008 and has not been back sense. I don't even wanna talk about the road he's gone down.
 
I work alone have for many years as a flat rate mechanic there are certain jobs that require 2 or more people but 99% of the time just me.
 
Other than my current Father/Son truck build, I work on my own. Most of my friends are not truly car guys. They maybe appreciate cars but are really not enthusiasts.
I do have my son who is 16 (really my kids are my best friends any more) and can out work most men you find around these days. He is really busy with work and sports so I kind of need to book an appointment.
My 13 year old daughter will always help too. She does get a real sense of accomplishment when she can help me do something big like dropping a motor in or something noticable. She is a great help and genuinely likes spending time with me but she has other priorities and I totally understand that.
Some things are just way easier with 2 people but I am slowly buying and building the right tools so I can just do it all myself. I really think a lift will keep me going or a long time!
I will say though I have a couple good friends that I share parts back and forth with. Their inventory has saved my *** and I have saved theirs, so that helps. The one guy is in his 70s and asked me to swap the center section for the 8-3/4 in his Coronet. I tell you, I was so nervous, his car is so damn nice. He wanted to pay me but I wouldn't take anything for it. Like I told him, I got to work on cars this afternoon and it didn't cost me a dime!

Cley
 
I have to work by myself. I have a bit of OCD and it drives anyone working with me nuts. But sometimes you need help and that's just how it is. Just a note about members who work with their dogs around, I read of one guy who did a lot of metal work on his car with a MIG. His dog was there and apparently stared at the arc. Went blind. Just a note.
 
5-6 years ago my son and I used to work together some in the shop but usually he would be working on his and me on mine. Now it’s 100% by myself. I love when people stop by but even if it’s something like setting valves I will usually stop, sit down and visit. This past summer I made up my mind if I need help or something fixed that I don’t want to do I’m paying someone to do it. My motorhome needed some brake lines fixed I paid someone. My 2003 Malibu had an electrical problem And sat six months so I paid an expert to fix it. I’m not rich and I hate paying someone for something I can do but I’m slowly getting over that.
 
pittsburghracer said:
5-6 years ago my son and I used to work together some in the shop but usually he would be working on his and me on mine. Now it’s 100% by myself. I love when people stop by but even if it’s something like setting valves I will usually stop, sit down and visit. This past summer I made up my mind if I need help or something fixed that I don’t want to do I’m paying someone to do it. My motorhome needed some brake lines fixed I paid someone. My 2003 Malibu had an electrical problem And sat six months so I paid an expert to fix it. I’m not rich and I hate paying someone for something I can do but I’m slowly getting over that.
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That comes with age. When you are young you don't put a value on time, you have lots of it. You can afford the time to tinker on everything. When you are older, you realize there is no such thing as forever and you start spending time on what you enjoy and pay somebody for the rest of the stuff.
 
RustyRatRod said:
That's really nice, Cliff. I am really happy for you. You need to cherish that, because not every father and son(s) has that relationship. Mine left in 2008 and has not been back sense. I don't even wanna talk about the road he's gone down.
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You are correct, I didn’t have the same “relationship” with my “father” . Haven’t seen him since 1988, last time I called him was 1991. Died in jail a few years back. All he cared about was himself and how he looked to his friends, his “place” in business and community.

I on the other had see my boys all the time, Matt and I have worked at the same shop now for almost 15 years and Chris was here too till a few years ago. Close with the boys and girls, close with our grandchildren. Some of us learn and don’t repeat those things in life that left a mark.

Cliff Ramsdell
 
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All yal with kids that help or don't help are just lucky as hell. No better accomplishment than kids, and kids that help out and learn a few things before they disappear to this thing we call life are priceless.
Yal are lucky, call your kids and tell em ya love em.
 
I am a lone wolf, friends dont exist for me.
I figure out how to do everything myself.
I am very anti-social and can be very awkward around others.
The wife is very social and drags people over to socialize and I am quickly ready to go back to the shop or vegetate in front of the tv.
The wife loves my dart and is claiming the model A as hers when complete.
None of the 5 kids seem to have much interest in the repair processes, but enjoy the adventures in the Dart and the 2-3 car shows i do attend.

I live on the family farm beside my parents and get alot of discouragement when it comes to repairing older vehicles that they threw away as used vehicles. Some of the salesmen that show up love to see the cars and my father loves to brag about the completed vehicles.
 
I use to have several friends I worked on cars with. We got older, had kids, Family became priority. Some didnt take that well, some just disappeared.
Our Kids are always working so, I'm now a lone wolf on most stuff. My wife will also tell you I take on too many of other peoples projects for them.
I have no argument for that, have a couple engines waiting for me to assemble for a couple guys right now.
The wife said she is helping with the A108, at least one person will be helping with the sanding on that one......LOL
 
Today my friends came and helped me put on the front clip of the power wagon. Good times today.

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6PakBee said:
That comes with age. When you are young you don't put a value on time, you have lots of it. You can afford the time to tinker on everything. When you are older, you realize there is no such thing as forever and you start spending time on what you enjoy and pay somebody for the rest of the stuff.
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That right there is well said and as accurate as all get out.
 
I do prefer to do some things by myself without any distractions. As another member mentioned, bodywork !
I've had car owners want to help on their cars and every time, I have had to go over their work. I'm not an OCD perfectionist but I do try to get the body and paint to look as good as I am capable.
Engine building? Oh yeah. A chatterbox buddy can distract you enough to make a mistake that shows up during break in or miles down the road.
Most of the time when I really appreciate the help is on some junker car where precision isn't a factor.
Lifting hoods with helpers avoids scratches.
Breaking in an engine is another time where extra eyes really helps.
I do get help from Mary for moving cars around the yard, bleeding brakes and some other medium duty tasks. She is strong enough to help lift steel hoods too!
It does come back to the guys working together though. If you've never been in the military, been on a sports team or worked alongside a bunch of like minded guys, you might not understand why I say that I really like the camaraderie. It really is a thing.
Years ago, We'd have marathon sessions doing engine swaps. In the 80s and 90s, lowered cars and mini trucks were the big thing. I was "the guy" in the neighborhood with a floor jack and jackstands so I got tapped to chop coil springs, install lowering blocks, do spring-under jobs, etc.
I rarely drink...same for most of the dudes that I hung out with. When we were focused on a project, if there was a screw up, we only had our own incompetence to blame.

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