what do you think about this hobbie? pt2

Meaningful discussion outside of the potato gun realm. Projects, theories, current events. Non-productive discussion will be locked.
THUNDERLORD
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:32 pm

Been reading the replies and my thoughts are:
No matter how expensive or not I make it, I am learning a bunch of things that can make me money some day (even in seemingly un-related fields).
In my opinion it's just an excellent investment whatever money is spent. Because the fun/ enjoyment is still better than most other things I just waste money on also.

I have good mechanical ability already.
Now if I could just get the Geek-speak part down.
That's always useful to impress people with. (If all else fails).

Well, like I've written before, Archery's been called the "Sport of kings"
I just consider it another version of that sport.
For me, It's all how much time I care to spend on whatever. 8)

AHA! 5-more precious Spud-Bux for only 2 cents worth!!! :P 8)
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Launch-Tek
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:32 pm

It inspires creativity and ingenuity. You get to explore so many different areas like physics, pneumatics, and machining. Some people pay a lot of money to gain the knowledge that is freely shared by this hobby and it's supporting community.
It may seem expensive but it is cheaper than beer and cigarettes if you use them on a regular basis. Add up what you spend on alcohol and tobacco (Or other things like video games) in a year and think of what kind of cannon you could build with that money. :D
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DYI
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:45 pm

I don't know where I'd be today if I hadn't found this site, or this hobby. Whatever I would be doing likely wouldn't be anywhere near as constructive, useful, and entertaining as this is. Most of my income is disposable, and I tend to dispose of disposable things very quickly. Better to be spending money enhancing my engineering skills and blowing sh*t up than throwing it away on things I'll be bored of in a few days.
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MrCrowley
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:21 pm

I think it is probably one of the better things to happen to me, and that no hobby could come close down here in NZ.

I have to admit I like to build more then to shoot, anyone else feel the same way?
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SpudFarm
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:23 pm

i think it is more fun to sort out problems and tweak meters etc than shoot.
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daxspudder
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:56 pm

Imortal87 wrote:Its an excellent hobby. I don't know about you but for me building miniature Titanic's that don't float and model soldiers that don't shoot got old a long time ago. Building spud guns has way more "Residual Fun" after the build. And all those toy soldiers and plastic Titanic ships make excellent targets.
isnt that like spudding? i.e making a gun that does shoot...? :lol:

I like the hobby, It has consumed most my extra money, I think about it more than sex, and I get to blow things away with something that I built with very few pre-manufactured parts(piezos, sprinkler valves, etc...)I was at home depot for the 8th time in one week when the guy asking me if I needed help finding me something, finally just asked "what are you building anyway?" I replied, "just a project"... my two year old daughter who was with me at the time threw her hands in the air and exclaimed "POTATO GUN!!!", I had nothing more to say. I was proud.
"<I>For dare to be peace, I have to keep at it everyday, da Man doesn't take days off so neither can I</I>" -<B>Bob Marley</B>, day before a performance, a day after being shot in the chest. "<I>If you are the big, big tree, we are the small axe, ready to cut you down!</I>" -Bob again :brave:
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SpudFarm
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:00 pm

daxspudder wrote:my two year old daughter who was with me at the time threw her hands in the air and exclaimed "POTATO GUN!!!", I had nothing more to say. I was proud.
me like :D
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:01 pm

MrCrowley wrote:I have to admit I like to build more then to shoot, anyone else feel the same way?
Quite the opposite, I find building to be the frustrating time interval between coming up with an idea and blowing holes in stuff :roll:
hectmarr wrote:You have to make many weapons, because this field is long and short life
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starman
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:04 pm

MrCrowley wrote:I think it is probably one of the better things to happen to me, and that no hobby could come close down here in NZ.

I have to admit I like to build more then to shoot, anyone else feel the same way?
Yep, for me shooting them is almost anti-climatic...having witnessed hundreds of shots, the build itself is much more interesting. For the spectators however, they tend to love the shooting, the noise, the flames, the damage....the audacity and unique rarity of it all really.
daxspudder wrote:I like the hobby, It has consumed most my extra money, I think about it more than sex, .
OK maybe you could use a little alignment session on that one... :wink:
daxspudder wrote:I replied, "just a project"... my two year old daughter who was with me at the time threw her hands in the air and exclaimed "POTATO GUN!!!", I had nothing more to say. I was proud.
As well you should be, getting her indoctrinated properly I see. Maybe not the best time for the exuberance though....in front the the HD plumbing guy that is.
Last edited by starman on Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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MrCrowley
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:12 pm

jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:
MrCrowley wrote:I have to admit I like to build more then to shoot, anyone else feel the same way?
Quite the opposite, I find building to be the frustrating time interval between coming up with an idea and blowing holes in stuff :roll:
I find building frustrating too, it can really get on your nerves. But that's what it's all about. :P

One of the best feelings would have to be when you finally get your first piston to work.
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SpudFarm
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:15 pm

MrCrowley wrote: One of the best feelings would have to be when you finally get your first piston to work.
agree (almost)
i was more excited when my first hybrid shot went off.
"Made in France"
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daxspudder
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:21 pm

@starman you'd be surprised the HD guy was quite amused, and could tell I used my guns responsibly in a way that amused my child... she isnt around when I do crazy shhhh it with my guns, like the stuff the site rules ban... speaking of which, I think there should be a "forbidden topics" forum, with a limit on who can read it decided by the mods, I have so many cool things I do that defy several of the rules... i.e. ive been edited hmm... 5 times already for slipping...
"<I>For dare to be peace, I have to keep at it everyday, da Man doesn't take days off so neither can I</I>" -<B>Bob Marley</B>, day before a performance, a day after being shot in the chest. "<I>If you are the big, big tree, we are the small axe, ready to cut you down!</I>" -Bob again :brave:
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potatoflinger
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:46 pm

starman wrote:
potatoflinger wrote:I think this hobby is expensive. :roll: It is worth the money, but it's expensive none the less.
Just about any hobby you dig into deep enough is going to cost you some cash. Compared to things like golf, motorcycling, fishing, hunting, boating (yes I realize all big-boy hobbies), spudgunning is dirt cheap. Even compared to other things like RC modeling, BMX biking and even video games...spudgunning is still cheaper.

As a matter of fact, I challenge you to come up with a real hobby that costs significantly less than spudgunning.....not counting girl hobbies like scrapbooking.....
Mountain biking. There are trails all over the place where I live, and all you have to buy is a bike and the occasional tire/inner tube.
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daxspudder
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:32 pm

lol scrapbooking is a girls hobby... but there is one that is cheaper... sand castling, not that I do it, but when it gets extreme its definitely a unisex hobby... or origami... but again, I stick to spudding, just gotta play the devil's advocate...
"<I>For dare to be peace, I have to keep at it everyday, da Man doesn't take days off so neither can I</I>" -<B>Bob Marley</B>, day before a performance, a day after being shot in the chest. "<I>If you are the big, big tree, we are the small axe, ready to cut you down!</I>" -Bob again :brave:
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:36 pm

MrCrowley wrote:One of the best feelings would have to be when you finally get your first reciprocating piston to work.
hectmarr wrote:You have to make many weapons, because this field is long and short life
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