"Are you going into the workshop today?"

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

It happens quite often. I'm sitting there, minding my own business, when a family member utters the leading question; "Are you going into the workshop today?"

Now there was a time when such a question would have got me thinking "Ah, how kind, my nearest and dearest taking an interest in whay I do". But now, being older and somewhat wiser (in some respects at least!) I know to answer this query in a more non-commited fashion than I might have done.

"Er, well,er, maybe, at bit later, just for a short while. Why?"

"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell", (this opening word is always pornounced as if it had at least 5 syllables. A variant is "Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad"!

"Do you think you could fix this?"

Now "this" constitutes a bewildering array of items ranging from toys, to kitchen impliements, ornaments, jewelry etc. etc. Said item might need; gluing, soldering, rewiring or just general "bending about" - whatever, its now my task for the day as far as they are concerned. The logic being "with all that stuff he's got in there surely he can do something useful and fix this"

Today's "problemettes" for me were

1. a pair of very stylish boots belonging to my daughter that lacked in robustness everything they had in fashionability - the sole was coming off - a job for some Gorilla glue I concluded.
2. the hamster's ladder - our rather porky hamster had managed to break the top rung off. Personally I couldn't see why said rodent couldn't just stride over the missing step - but the female members of the household seemed to think this was an unreasonable expectation.

So, there we are - two jobs to be fitted into the usual busy model avaition building and maintenance programme.

Now this could be viewed as something of a inconvienience - however, it definitely has its "up-side" in terms of "brownie points". But I think there is a more strategic consideration here. It make's the non-modelling family members appreciate the value of all that "kit" we keep buying - well with a bit of convincing.

I do draw the line however at family members bringing friends neckalces, charm braclets, nick-nacks etc.

Is this a common eperience? Do your family members entice you into taking various non-aerodynamic artifacts into your hangar?

BEB

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Well I think the benefits (to the family) of having a model flyer+workshop can never be over-stated. I'm often repairing and sticking things for the family, it helps them appreciate how lucky they are to have me on the premises

[Colin Leighfield]

There's no doubt that the magic contents of my shed have application beyond aeroplanes. This being recognised is probably one of the reasons that my grabbing every odd minute that I can messing about in there is tolerated!

Sadly my good wife still fails to recognise the unique fascination represented by our wondrous flying machines, so I need every excuse that I can get to enable me to get away with it! The great job I did on repairing the heel on one of my step grand-daughter's Irish Dancing shoes earned me at least 6 months worth of kudos. Nothing has been broken yet this Christmas, but there's still time!

[Nev]

Yes I get a lot of this too. When he was younger my lad broke a biscuit in half " doesn't matter he said Dad can fix it". I quite enjoy it really and you get a free pass into the workshop.

[Depron Daz]

Many times in my household too.

[Steve Hargreaves - Moderator]

Blimey BEB...if I had a penny for eveytime I've been asked to fix some household item or toy I'd have at least £5.63 by now......in our house I am known as "Daddy Fixer". Mind you, with a wife as clumsy as mine such fixing skills are extremely useful.

However...like you I embrace this part of our hobby () for the brownie point it earns & also because if something well & truly knackered is brought to me I can shake my head slowly & say "H'mmm I'm not sure I can fix this but I'll try" Then after a couple of hours of "trying" during which time I will have fixed my Acrowots cowl or whatever I return to the house, sadly shake my head & say I'm sorry but I just couldn't mend it.....the nett result is extra brownie points AND a mended Acrowot cowl.....how good is that.....

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Posted by Steve Hargreaves - Moderator on 26/12/2013 21:36:05:

if something well & truly knackered is brought to me I can shake my head slowly & say "H'mmm I'm not sure I can fix this but I'll try" Then after a couple of hours of "trying" during which time I will have fixed my Acrowots cowl or whatever I return to the house, sadly shake my head & say I'm sorry but I just couldn't mend it.....the nett result is extra brownie points AND a mended Acrowot cowl.....how good is that.....

Oh, that's rather underhanded Mr Hargreaves....I could not possibly condone such behaviour.

Clever though! Mental note made...

BEB

[Old Geezer]

Me too - but an easy way of topping up the brownie points a/c

[Tim Hooper]

It happens all the time.

Not so much Netty herself, but her firends seem to think I'm the highest authority on broken headphones, glasses, etc.....

Brownie points by proxy.....

tim

[AlexJ]

Thats funny Steve,

I am known as "Daddy Fix-it" at home, amongst other less affectionate terms!

Whilst the new toy cupboard is being built, I have to have a family running repair kit close at hand in the conservatory.

Alex

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Posted by Tim Hooper on 26/12/2013 22:10:12:

 

Brownie points by proxy.....

Shouldn't that read Brownie points by epoxy?

But so so true - I certainly have the reputation of being the family fixer.

Edited By Martin Harris on 26/12/2013 22:19:28

[IanN]

All the above is true.

I type this having just returned to the house as the heroic fixer of the broken snowman tree ornament. Admittedly, you can see the line if you look closely, but medium zap worked a treat. Took me away from Puppeteer fettling and a glass of red for a few minutes, but that was a small price to pay to maintain the myth that the shed is a "good place"

Looking forwards to basking in the adulation tomorrow when they wake up and see the repair

[Willowlea]

Being as I am the only one in the house with my son, and always have been- I have always been the "family fixer". Trouble is firstly I have a reputation for blowing up/breaking electrical things (must be electrical static in me hair! ) and secondly I have a bad habit of taking things apart to try to fix them- and forgetting how to put them back together again!!! And thirdly I have a bad habit of sticking myself to things I glue haha!

Then I utter the famous words , Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad........

[cymaz]

Spent a very nice Boxing Day "shedding". Got to run up the new Stampe and get the engine sorted. Also fixed a couple of problems that reared up and might have been fatal in the field. This proves the worth of running up a new plane quietly at home and fixing snags without the pressure of flying it before its ready.

I'm going to change my name from" Daaaaaaaaaaaad!!!!!"

[Ernie]

Now that's pretty difficult!!!! is invariably the best response to a request for fixing a bit of household nonsense "You know I'll have to make a new bit on the lathe, so, it'll take a couple of days"

so I cobble something up in a few minutes, and then it's back to the elliptical wing in sublime solitude

SWIMBO's happy, and so am I

ernie

[Tony Bennett]

i do it the other way round.

i ask first thing in the morning " what do you want me to do today" if i get the nothing reply, i'm off to the shed for the day.

he he he

[Levanter]

If you are always in the workshop then they have to come and find you first. I reckon it's OK to fail too. That way you can have an excuse for binning the hideous vase that's been mocking you for years.

[Roy Mundy]

Ha Ha I thought it was just me, My wife is always putting her cast iron pan supports from our hob into the dishwasher ( shes a clean freak!) lol and the little rubber feet are always coming off. So I am always gluing them back in. along with the other bits to fix.

[Martian]

All I can say is don't let your partners /wives see any of these comments or you will never be trusted again

my hanger is in the house but it becomes a workshop if something needs fixing, I love fixing, problem solving is in my blood

[cymaz]

ARGH..............too late about not letting wives see comments

 

My better half has just said,"after 30 years ,I know what you are going to say before you've thought of it!"

Edited By cymaz on 27/12/2013 11:33:27

[Alwyn Gee]

When will you guys ever learn. It's no good amassing Brownie Points cos they all simply disappear with the first perceived error or misunderstanding. Brownie Points are the most short lived commodity on the planet.

Alwyn

[Malcolm Blake 1]

I take Steve Hargreaves idea a little further. I take a little time in the shed and then tell SWIMBO that to fix it I will have to get a new (something). Like that, I get brownie points and a new piece of equipment.

How's that?

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Wow! This thread is certainly bringing out the "dark side" of our hobby! It's also giving me lots of new ideas!

BEB

[Geoffrey Harris]

Rob said his wife is a clean freak but does anyone else have a wife who washes the dishes before she puts them into the dishwasher. Back to the shed time I think..

[David Tweddle]

Posted by cymaz on 27/12/2013 11:32:10:

ARGH..............too late about not letting wives see comments

I did wonder as Andrea very often looks over my shoulder as I slowly type.

I came a cropper once that was enough never again.

Until the next time; David