Ok so how do people motivate themselves.

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 11:59 am

I seem to be slacking off a fair bit lately as far as getting into the shop and making armor. Once I'm there things go ok but getting there seems to be the problem.

So with the hopes of making everyone here more productive armourers this thread is for discussing different ways of motivating ourselves to get in the shop and get some work done.

Now a bit about me. I currently work a day-job Monday-Thursday leaving Friday-Sunday free for full days of armouring.

On the days of my regular job I get up at 7:30 and get ready for and go to work without fail because I know if I'm late all the time I'll likely find myself unemployed.

For some reason I usually don't manage to do the same thing for armouring. Even though I know if I don't make any armour I don't make any money.

Now I do definitly know that part of the problem is that my shop usually has sub zero temperatures since it's not insulated or heated and things around here are frozen untill at least mid march.

And part of the problem is that if my 1 year old daughter sleeps in it's a good idea for me to sleep in too.

Anyway it seems lately that I don't manage to get into the shop untill somewhere between noon and 2pm. And then I only end up working untill dinner time. Definitly not as many hours as I should be working (I'm broke so need to make more money on armor).

Anyway I obviously don't have any motivation tips to share. It's definitly a lot easier getting into the shop in the summer then it is in the winter. I hate the cold.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

PaulyP · Post by **PaulyP** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 12:34 pm

I start pulling out my books and looking at pictures of armor. Before long I find something that gets me inspired and I am ready to go work. I have a different problem, however. I don't ever have the time to go work. We are fixing up our house and all of my free time is spent doing that.

Stoffel · Post by **Stoffel** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 12:51 pm

I have the same problem. I go to college monday through thursday, but have friday-sunday off. I dont have a regular job because the time I spend at college rules that out, so all of my money comes from armour making. However, no matter how much money I need/owe/want, I still am not motivated enough to get up and go do work. I can get to school on time fine, and do my work there, but when it comes to armouring, I will slack off as much as possible, then when I go back to school, wish that I had made something that weekend. Usually, if I know that I am going to be lazy, I get out a movie like Braveheart or Knights Tale, or go look through my books. It works some times, but not all the time. I've found that if I say that I am building something for myself, I will get up and go work on it, like my kettlehat. If I am making it for someone else, it sits in my shop for severla weeks before I look at it. Usually I make stuff for myself, tell myself that I dont like it, and sell it because I need the money.

Shamey · Post by **Shamey** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 1:17 pm

While I only attempt to work on armour for myself I have been planning on going down to the basement to work on a set of greaves for myself. But I end up telling myself that I will get to it tomorrow night (there just isn't enough hours between 6:30 and midnight).
Shoot I've had my Knight's armour for over a week now, intended to have it cleaned up and simple repairs done by this past Sunday.. but it's still sitting there with only a couple of lames having been cleaned somewhat.
I will go down to toss laundry in the washer, walk over to my assorted boxes of *parts* and just stare - I have many plans but can't bring them to fruition. *shrug*

Prince Of Darkmoor · Post by **Prince Of Darkmoor** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 1:22 pm

Motivation for me goes through waves. Right now, I'm really motivated and into making armour. Maybe in a few months I'll get burnt out and take a couple weeks off. Thankfully, when I don't have any motivation one day in the shop, I can pick up an old project I futzed with before and try to fix it or complete it. Put together that arm laying in pieces, pound out a shield boss blank, anything to get the creative juices flowing.

Of course, having someone else in the shop with you really helps the motivation because you can bullshit with them and keep your mind going.

But for now, my motivation is goal-oriented. If I tell myself I want to make two pairs of gauntlets in a weekend, I'll work at it until I complete my goal, no matter how dark it gets outside.

SteelWeaver · Post by **SteelWeaver** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 2:34 pm

My shop is in a friend's home (it's mostly my tools, but he had more space), so I don't get to work on stuff as often as I'd like. I usually get motivated to build something before I get there, thinking about how I'm going to do it is what motivates me to actually build it.

Installing a decent sound system blurting power metal music seemed to help... good music depicting glorious charges and epic battles seems to help motivation a lot.

I also find that if I don't complete a project in a single session, I have a harder time being satisfied and staying motivated if I dont come out of the shop with a finished piece.

I've already perfected the 1-hour half-gauntlet and the 1-hour hinged vambrace and the 10 spangenhelm a day assembly line. Can you say munitions grade?

About the colt bit, maybe buying a small electric heater and heating up the room for an hour or two before going in, but if you're so broke maybe you can't afford that.(though here the cost of electricity is about 0,05$ / kWh, those things are about 1500W, so heating the whole 10-hour day would rob you of a faraminous 0,75$).

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Where are the reasons
That once stood out so clear?
In a haze of compromise
They all seem to disappear

Warren · Post by **Warren** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 3:07 pm

Well, its not easy to stay motivated. I teach school all day and then go home and work on leather this or that until midnight.

This is most days. I do take time off to play with my kid, go out with my wife and of course post on the archive and answer emails.

I have learned that if I do a couple of quality hours per day, I get more done than if I try and do five or six. I concentrate for shorter periods of time but intensify my concentration.

My motivation is of course "cash", but I also just love seeing the finished product too. I like the feedback and it does my ego good. It gives me little time for fighter practice and less time for fishing which is something I do to relax. (cant do it much these days, too cold)

I use Feng Shui to organize my shop and it seems to help a lot too. Keeping the shop clean and organized makes me feel like its a place I want to go and work. My wife works sometimes with me, my kid does celtic designs for the armour from time to time, so they feel involved and like they are helping.(not always helpful, mind you).

I can say this after doing leatherwork for 12 years. Do it for the money. But do it because you want not because you have to. take less orders and do them better. I take only so much at a time and that's it because I don't want to get overwhelmed.(life is stressful enough)

This keeps me loving the work, loving my family, and liking myself. (if it's not fun, it's a chore, and if it's a chore, I am only doing it for the money) I could work for someone else part-time and just collect a paycheck.(it's pretty stress free)

"Ultimately it all in how you hold your tongue."

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<A HREF="http://www.hosekileather.homestead.com

" TARGET=_blank>www.hosekileather.homestead.com

</A> was great wailing and gnashing of teeth"

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 3:17 pm

Ok well I think I had a good idea today.

I went out and bought 12' of 1" solid square stock. It's gonna get cut up and welded to the 6 or 7 hunks of metal I've got that are supposed to be made into stakes.

The scary thing about armouring is I think I like making tools for armouring even more then I like armouring.

While I was at Barrie Metals I asked them about their scrap stuff and found out I can just go ahead and wander around and get whatever I want for 25 cents a pound (CDN Bux)

I also stopped by the auto wreckers where a friend of my brother's (an aquaintance of mine) works and picked up a door handle for my firebird. While I was there I also got a good sized brake drum for a forge. (Free Stuff is good).

Anyway if the new tools don't motivate me to make armour at least I'll have more tools.

I'll probably go back to Barrie Metals at lunch on thursday and see what interesting hunks of metal I can find.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

Sasuke · Post by **Sasuke** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 6:27 pm

One thing I like to do is to have a fun project. I set a certain amount of time that I need to work on other people's stuff to stay productive. Then if I meet my schedule, I can play around with the fun project (sometimes the fun project is for a customer and that is a bonus). Otherwise I just try to think what if I were the customer waiting for my armor to get done and that is usually pretty motivating too.
Sasuke

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www.oaksarmoury.com

David Hagler · Post by **David Hagler** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 8:56 pm

An old-timey bells-on-top alarm clock and 4 cups of coffee kicks me in the arse and gets me going. After that everything is fine as long as I'm not bothered. It's kind of like the cook in his kitchen. I HATE being bothered when I'm working, or having to leave to go somewhere. That stuff really takes up my time. Before I know it, the day is shot and I have to wait again until the next morning. Unless I work late at night, in which case I miss the primetime History"Hitler"(joke) Channel, The Mummy Roadshow, or the theories of how the pyramids were built, which in most cases I have already seen 5 times, but nonetheless have come up with my own theory about the age of the Sphinx.
But coffee is the secret thing for me, along with the fact that I love working with this stuff.
I guess because the possibilities with armour are endless every day. Nothing else, besides painting and sex, has so many end results and gains, enjoyment, and occasional headaches.
To sum up the key factors of kick in the arse- go do it mentality for me: Coffee, more coffee, love of the art, and the ever so often good end results of hard work, which hopefully will remain long after I'm gone.
TOO-DA-LOO

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FIRESIDE ARMOURY
www.firesidearmoury.com

Sliver · Post by **Sliver** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 11:15 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Warren:
... Keeping the shop clean and organized makes me feel like its a place I want to go and work.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can't speak for everyone, but I find this to be especially true - I know when I was finishing off our basement, if the place was a pit I didn't have the motivation to do anything...but after picking up the place...whoa! I was ready to go. Also, after clean up, prioritize the piece(s) to get them done.

Good luck
Cheers!
Giles

[This message has been edited by Giles (edited 02-19-2002).]

AB Hammer · Post by **AB Hammer** » Tue Feb 19, 2002 11:18 pm

Have your wife or girfrend get kinki if you do a good job that day or week or WELL!!!

Better weather helps to

AB Hammer

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 9:13 am

It should be noted that I am still basically delivering on time. It's just that I could be getting a lot more stock stuff done and be taking more orders.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

bexter12 · Post by **bexter12** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 9:43 am

Hi Matt,

I feel your pain. I don't think anyone else has mentioned the most important part of your post..."my 1-year-old sleeps in. So does mine, so I do, too.

When my 19-month-old is occupied (sleeping, eating, etc.) I try and take advantage of that time because it's not that often. Nap times are used for emailing, working on my dishing forms, cutting metal or drawing out ideas I have. I never really get the opportunity to hammer until my husband gets home and gives me an hour or so.

One of the things that keeps me motivated is I keep a picture of whatever piece is exciting to me on my computer desktop. Everytime I log on or go past my computer I see a cool shot of something I haven't done yet.

I also have a big maille project I'm working on and for that I set very specific goals for myself every day. 400 rings period. No matter how tired I am, those rings get done. Keep me on pace and making progress.

Kerosene heaters put out a lot of heat, too and aren't that expensive.

Good luck!

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Becky Lovins

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 9:55 am

I'm actually working on getting my garage heated. My garage is in the basement of my house. Which is really handy since there's already ducts running across the ceiling of the garage.

Heating the uninsulated garage would be crazy since my gas bill for heating is $250/month already.

I've got most of the 2x4's I need to frame up the walls. Ok well I've got 2x4's and some steel studs. Once I get things framed up it'll be about $150 to buy the batting to insulate my garage. doesn't make sence spending money on a temporary heater when it could be spent on batting instead.

I've even got almost enough drywall for all the walls that need insulation.

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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

James C · Post by **James C** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 10:02 am

About the cold issue. I made a heater from a 55 gallon drum. They are really simple to make and i have even seen 'kits' for sale to make one. We have a fairly large un-insulated shop, about 16 x 24 and on the coldest of nights (about 20 Degrees, Really that is cold in arkansas) that heater could run us out of there. If you have a smaller shop i would suggest using a 30 gallon drum.

One of the best things about them is that they are cheap. All you really need is a couple lengths of square bar stock or box stock, a drum, some pipeing, and sand ( you also could use rocks but i used crushed firebrick).

To assemble you need to make 2 "X's" out of the bar stock by welding them and weld a cross brace between them. Make sure that the points of the X's come at least half way up the side of the barrel. Cut a round hole in the side of the barrel the same size as your furnace piping. Attach your piping and run it up and out of your shop. Cut a square hole in the top of the barrel to make a door. Use a good stainless hinge and attach with nuts and bolts. That way you can remove it when you have to throw away the barrel and get a new one. Also use a screen door latch (post and hook) to keep it closed. Fill the bottom 1/4 of the barrel with sand, rocks or crushed fire brick.
That's it.. now you have a wood burning furnace for almost nothing.

OK, DON'T use this if
A)You have childern in your shop. (which is kinda dumb anyway)
B)You live in a city with wierd laws.
C)You are stupid.

If i am reposting exsiting knowledge, sorry there is gotta be some one out there that did not know it. They are real common around where i live.

Mad Matt · Post by **Mad Matt** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 10:14 am

James that sounds like it's just a makeshift woodstove. I could actually get a free actual woodstove if I really wanted to take a drive, walk the 2 miles across the lake to the island my parrents cottage is on and then drag a big heavy cast iron woodstove back stick it in the van and drive home.

Problem is there's a bedroom and a bathroom etc. above my shop.

My shop's actually about the same size as yours though. It's 15x27

It should also be noted that I'm definitly stupid. So probably a bad idea.
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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory

[This message has been edited by Mad Matt (edited 02-20-2002).]

James C · Post by **James C** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 10:44 am

yeah i posted right after you said that you worked from your basement. That would be a bad idea.

Anyway it is still a low cost option to people that have a four walls to the wind un-insulated shop.

I still call them furnaces not woodstoves. To me a woodstove is what my grandmother used to cook off of. But then again it is not really a furnace either. So from now on its technical name will be ' Cheap Wood burning round shaped thing'.

Dalewyn · Post by **Dalewyn** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 6:20 pm

I have almost the same circumstances as Matt, but no "real" job to rely on. (Cold shop, 5 month old who's awake till late at night).
I manage to stay motivated because I share the shop with Carlo (Truehearth Armories); he has his half, I have my half, and we keep each other company. There's also usually one or two students / slaves there either working on their own projects, or working on stock / rush orders for me or Carlo. (I hate Rush Orders, puts my whole schedule out of whack. Must stay on schedule.)
As well, I love the satisfaction of a job well done; I could never be an insurance salesman etc., I need the satisfaction of the finished product. A cup or two of coffee in the morning never hurts, either.
Did I mention the money? I love getting money orders in the mail; keeps me from having to get a "real" job.

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Dalewyn
Dalewyn@dbis.ns.ca
www.AlchemyArmory.com

AB Hammer · Post by **AB Hammer** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 9:11 pm

Dalewyn, Yes by yourself is a bummer, and I had bad luck with helpers. They always want you to teach them german gothic and drop everything else. I need someone happy with starting at the bottom.

ABHAMMER

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 20, 2002 10:03 pm

It pays the bills (convenient, since eating is one of my favorite activities!)...and it sure beats the socks off what I was doing before I started armoring full time!

...besides, I get to sleep with the boss!

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Thorfinna

Armourworks
www.armourworks.com