ever since my dad got the 49 ive been in the garage or on a cement slab tearing the beast apart.
all he would do is help with moving the bigger pieces.
i was wondering, how much does everyone help with their kids on the amazing machines??
he always comes up with these excuses.
it is suppost to be mine and his truck, but he wants to rodo a few more for my little brothers and my nephew.
but he isnt getting no experience.
anyone see a problem with this??
got it the day before i went into my junior year.
now it is almost half way through my senior year.
ive been working on it when i get the time and money.
but like i said before i do ll the work and researching.
he sleeps and seldemly helps me.
but i was wondering how many people help their kids on these machines and how much.
i dont know if he is doing this so i get experience and learn, naw he always does this on everythin.
o well.

swanny

 

hey kid i am the sme age and my dad doesnt always have all the time in the world to help me but i dont go crying to a bucnh of people on the internet about it so grow some ***** and do something about it or shut up!

 

I've got my 17 year old son interested in my 54, we're always doing something on it and when we're not we stay busy with my daughters automobiles or his friends.

 

I let my kids come out to the garage wenever they want to. It is a lot of fun even if they just play in the bondo dust

 

Sometimes there's a big gap between our dreams and reality - the trick is to not fall into it! One way or another Swanny, we've all been there and survived, so be patient.

At least you have US Us old geezers didn't have access to world wide help with such talent and wisdom when we were 17. We depended on that weird ol' guy down the street for info...

Keep plugging away - it took me 3 years on concrete or the gravel driveway to get mine to where it was roadworthy, so you're right on target. Plus, there's that universal fact that rebuilding anything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as your most generous expectations.

 

My dad doesn't help me much but I don't complain he usually only helps me lift the heavy stuff. But then again he leaves for work at 6:30 and gets home at 6:30.

Nathan

 

swanny
Seems that some dads don't really get it the first time around. I was never the dad i should have been for my daughters and whatever they were interested in... but i'm a pretty good grandad, i guess i learned something. 12 hour days do knock the heck out of your "want to"... and you become more patient as you get into the grandad age bracket. I'm not making excuses for anything... you get what you get and what you make of it. It is heartening that you want your dad's help... or approval or whatever... that's the start of a lifetime of understanding. Something tells me that your dad is real proud of you and that you are as independent as you are. i know that i am proud of my daughters... they both put themselves through college... just to do it their way. both of them can change a tire or the oil in whatever they drive... my grandkids all want to learn how to drive my truck... and two of them already have. its not easy being a man... but you have a good start on it. best. himmelberg

 

Good Post!

Nathan
200th post!

 

>Seems that some dads don't really get it the first time
>around. I was never the dad i should have been for my
>daughters and whatever they were interested in... but i'm a
>pretty good grandad, i guess i learned something. ...
>
>himmelberg

Boy, that one hit home. Wish I'd spent a bit more time with my own kids as well. I'm working real hard to make up for lost time and making sure I don't short change the grandkids. Great post Peter!

 

Have enjoyed some of the responces. My father wanted us to do many things too by obtaining a project and then not being there to see it through. I know that after reflecting back he was exceedingly proud of what I was able to accomplish on my own. He was always busy working on the farm and those things I accomplished on my own are probably the things I have the most pride in. Yes it would be nice to get a helping hand from time to time but if you need advise on the project develop freindships with retired mechanics that have worked on these old machines. you would be amazed at the wealth information they are willing to share with you. get to know the machinist at the local engine shop and listen to their advise. My son says from time to time that the only dum question is the un-asked question. you won't find out things unless you ask.
In college I had a phylosophy couse that taught me that if you aren't satisfied with what is going on you must have an alternative plan of action. I know that I wasn't always happy with the way things went as a young man but I determined then that as my children grew up I would be active with them. Man have we had fun putting together some pretty formitable rides over the years. If you aren't happy with the hand delt I would suggest that you find a way of getting your fathers attention and express your frustrations. My kids have found their own way of getting my attention. Good luck and hang in there.

 

Ever since I start working on my trucks... roughly 16 (only like 8-9 years ago) I was pretty much on my own when it came to know how on them. Not that my dad didn't want to help, but I think he knew about as much as me when it came to them. In spite of that, he has always been checking up on me and seeing how they were going, or bringing me home the steel book from work (he's and engineer), or finding differant samples of sound deadeners or other stuff he thinks that I might wanna try out. He's also my connection for metal from the tin shop at work. So he's always willing to give me a hand when I need it.. he also get me to help him out with his woodworking too... so we do have time together, most often in the woodshop, not the garage.

For me the biggest influence I have had has been my grandfathers... one had passed away when I was young.. but he was a mechanic, and I inherited his tools and a lot of manuals which have served me well (and every so often I think I have someone watching over my shoulder.. or riding shotgun too me =) and my other grandfather, is always asking me how the trucks are coming, and loves to talk to me about old cars and trucks (he worked as dealer for both Ford and Chrysler).. so I don't feel at all cheated. What I think it really cool is that I already have my little brother (little as in 22) out in the garage learning from me... he figures I learned the hard way, so he'll take any pointer he can get (only problem is he's a car guy... but I'm working on that )

As far as my future.. kids are a ways off, but I do have every intention of having my kids with me out in the garage.. son's OR daughters.. I think what would be the ultimate for me is to one day hear "hey dad, can I borrow one of the trucks for Prom?"

Figure I wrote a novel here, but hey, I hope you don't mind too much reading it.

Jon

 

i really appreciate the responces, but he always does it.
ive tried calmly talking, asking, begging, yelling, and shoving him out the back door.
but he refuses to do stuff with me.
he comes home and sleeps until he gets up to go to work.
i also have 2 younger brothers and i do almost everything that needs to be done ( that a man is suppost to do).
i dont know what to do.
i was just looking for some support and i fount some.
thanks to you all and i hope you have a very merry christmas.

swanny

thanks greatly again.

 

Swanny I will try to be brief, but forgive me if I ramble. One of good things about this forum is you never know if you are talking to a teenager or an old geezer. I have had fun talking to you on this forum, you know I have a large streak of BS in me but this is serious. I have lived a lot of life, screwed a lot of it up, would probably do worse if given another chance. My parents never got involved in my activities when I was growing up but they let me junk up the yard with junk cars & parts, old cushman scooters etc. Never told me I couldn't work on stuff. They did not stifle my creativity. My Dad worked hard painting houses for a living, we never missed a meal, always had a roof over our head, he was always there when I really needed him. Probably good he didn't get involved in some of my projects because he had good sense, all I wanted to do was go reallllly fast on some sort of motorized contraption.He was always home after work, took us to church, instilled good moral values by example of the way he lived his life and treated people. I got married had kids was totally involved in making a living etc. Went thru an unexpected divorce. Really missed my kids. One by one, when they were about 8th grade, they moved in with me, by their choice. I had a second chance, put my interests on hold, got involved until they were old enough to not want me in their business all the time, now I am doing what I want to do. What I am trying to say is take your father for what he is. Sounds like he is there for your family, works, allows you to explore your interest, doesnt try to discourage you. Don't mean to make your desire for him to help you trivial but you have a lot more than a lot of kids have, a complete family with a father who works and supports his family. From your posts on this forum seems like he has raised a good young man. Be patient with him, look at his good points, appreciate him and enjoy life with him as long as you can. The most traumatic event in my life was when my father died, I was 28, now 54, and I still miss him every day of my life.

 

If you don't get it done before you graduate don't worry. Some day you'll be able to get back to it, and it's worth the wait. I bought my first prodject the end of my freshman year in hs, the thing is still in peices, not even near being finished. My second project I bought the summer after my senior year, I guessed that it would take only a few weeks to get it road worthy, but it ended up to be 3 months. All the work I do is done alone although I do have one friend whom acctually likes to help out, although he doesnt do it often. My father just doesn't have the time to help. Just stick in there and take the time to do it right. Good luck!

Clayton

 

i appreciate everyones help.
some of your responses are real heart touching.
but unlike the first person most of you really care about each other.
i was only wondering if i was the only kid that had this problem.
like i said thanks for all your support and one of these days i hope he will wake up and see what he has missed.
and i hope it isnt to late.
but i have 2 olders sisters and 2 younger brothers.
when he has his days off he will sleep or lay around the house.
like i said before i do everything.
but o well.
i thought he would of woke up when i broke my hand from punching the side of the garage.
but i guess he needs alot more then that.
he puts his work before his family.
he would rather have a good name at work besides with his family.
i guess its his choice.
but im just rambling and i really dont have anyone here in person to talk to.
just thought i could get some of it off my chest with some of you guys and im glad you were there to hear my story.
thanks again.

swanny