I Like Making Stuff

First off, in case you haven't noticed, I have no intention of making daily posts. I've got way too much to do to devote time every day to blogging. If you do, that's fantastic. I wish I had time to read yours.

Anyway, now that I've got that off my chest... I was thinking today about how much I like making things. It doesn't really matter what it is. Several years ago it was Pinewood Derby cars. Now I've got a bookshelf where I can proudly display my beautiful, if slightly dusty, cars. I also made the aluminum stands on which the cars are displayed. When we moved into the house, I put up shelves in the garage. Maybe I'll put those photos on another post.

My latest handmade creation is a brass catcher. For those of you not into shooting guns, feel free to change the channel right now. My M1A throws empty brass all over the place, and I was tired of picking it up off the ground. At first I was going to buy a catcher, but the one I wanted runs about $60. "Really? Sixty bucks?" is what I thought to myself. After just a little thought, I realized, "I'll bet I can slap something together for WAY cheaper than that." Turns out I'm right, which has been known to happen occasionally.

Ace Hardware (my second or third favoritest place on the planet) had the aluminum tubing for about $12. I took it to work and used the tools there to bend it to shape, which cost me nothing. The netting cost me $.99 per yard, and I got two, though there is perhaps $.30 worth of netting on the actual catcher. The cord I stitched it together with cost about $1.50. I got the whole thing done for less than $16, saving me almost $45.

"Yea, but how does it work?" I hear you asking yourself with thinly veiled sarcasm. "Quite well," I respond with curt politeness. Just put it on the bench where you think your brass will fly, drop a sandbag - of which there are always plenty - on the U-shaped protrusion on the catcher's rear, and fire away! All the empties end up in a nice little pile on the bench top, and there is no more fumbling for mud-covered brass while everyone else at the range waits for you to finish up so they can get back to shooting. It's nowhere near as fancy as the store-bought model, but I'm not a fancy guy, and I don't need a fancy brass catcher. I need entertaining operas and functional brass catchers.

This probably all relates to why I like my job. There is something intensely satisfying about making things with my own hands. Saving money is just a bonus. As much as I would sometimes like a desk job, I don't think I would get nearly as much satisfaction from that. It is so rewarding to create something that has never existed before I put it together. So here's my advice: See something you like? Try making it yourself. Sure, making that new sofa you want just may be beyond your abilities, but there must be something you could use that you can make yourself. Try it! I guarantee* you will enjoy the process and you will have a greater appreciation for something you've made compared to if you had bought from he store.

*No refunds or exchanges will be given if not completely satisfied. This guarantee is not legally binding.