I have had a few hobbies over the years:

Custom cars, ICE etc
Fishing
Kit Car
Karting

Now i have a couple of kids, time has started to a big issue and now it affecting what i do for a hobby. The karting is starting to take up way too much time, getting the kart ready the week before, racing weekend and dismantle the week after etc.

Its just getting a bit much when the only time i get to do work on it is after 9pm at night.

Trouble is what do i do next? Have i got actually got the time for a "real hobby" or would it be better to have toys as such and have more than one?

Really still like to tinker with stuff and i think it would need some sort of engine to satisfy me.



What do you lot think? Anyone else been in this situation?

Yeh, I'm learning to tig ali when I have time and the money for argon!

Cheers

Rich

I know what you mean.

My 11yo lad wants us to restore a mini.

Get the kids into karting and make a family hobby of it?

quote:

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Originally posted by StevieB
Get the kids into karting and make a family hobby of it?

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Im thinking about RC toys, cars planes and helicopters

thats only about a year younger than hamilton is

how about exotic fish?

rc helicopters can get expensive lol trust me

try something like an mcx2 from eflite first indoors, great fun

quote:

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Originally posted by Kwik
thats only about a year younger than hamilton is

how about exotic fish?

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I've had a few hobbys....

Start off a family with 2 kids... not my fancy so I packed it in.. (came back later and bite me...)

New wife... happy times

So, RC IC cars...

Bikes...

Kits... Striker, then MNR, now Jago

And, all over that that music.. metal. Metallica..and AC/DC Pink Floyd, Led Zep.. Rage, ETC ETC

Driving buses and trucks, starting off at London Transport in the 80's EAC RM's.. Oooo yes...

Not sure whats next... lets see if I can get the numbers up...

If so, its Legend Racing

quote:

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Originally posted by coozer
I've had a few hobbys....

Start off a family with 2 kids... not my fancy so I packed it in.. (came back later and bite me...)

New wife... happy times

So, RC IC cars...

Bikes...

Kits... Striker, then MNR, now Jago

And, all over that that music.. metal. Metallica..and AC/DC Pink Floyd, Led Zep.. Rage, ETC ETC

Driving buses and trucks, starting off at London Transport in the 80's EAC RM's.. Oooo yes...

Not sure whats next... lets see if I can get the numbers up...

If so, its Legend Racing

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try a round of golf
trust me it's addictive

quote:

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Originally posted by evonigel
try a round of golf
trust me it's addictive

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Rc cars! good way to get the kids into racing, and learning how cars work, ic is smelly and noisey, electric is faster cleaner, maybe slightly higher inital cost, but cheaper to run once setup, i've always been tempted by rc planes, heli's or boats, but always been put off by the what if it goes wrong bit, cars drive into something, maybe break a few bits, planes disapper, heli's smash them selfs to bits, and boats sink

Playing with cars and m/c's, then tried a bit of model aircraft - scratch builds from plans, microlighting (ran out of money!!), bit of swimming, and now (for the last couple of years) into me mountain bike, and loving every time I get out on it (and the wife/boys can do it too.

ATB

Simon

quote:

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Originally posted by matt.c
Anyone else been in this situation?

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I second a vote for model making. It truely is addictive and you can do most stuff at anytime of day. My work/home situation means I've got very little time or space to do propper hobbies but I still enjoy model making.

I blame the Americans and more specifically, Californians. Until Hollywood started painting pictures of the 'perfect' super-blokes that could wrestle bears, detain a small group of terrorists and then lactate; never happier than when spending some 'quality time' with the wife and kids, hours in the park etc etc. This is getting out of hand and needs to stop. I noticed 'real life' Americans beginning to talk about enjoying spending time at the park with their kids 20 years ago, and it didn't take long before the UK went down with the same epidemic. The park is boring! There, I've said it.

Keep your hobbies (especially the karting, that looks fun) and explain to your wife that your a bloke and need your blokey pursuits.

Let me know how it goes, I may even try it myself one day

"husbands either have hobbies or affairs"
i mention that occasionally to wifey :-)

what about building a toylander/tot tod for the kids?

quote:

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Originally posted by RickRick
Rc cars! good way to get the kids into racing, and learning how cars work, ic is smelly and noisey, electric is faster cleaner, maybe slightly higher inital cost, but cheaper to run once setup, i've always been tempted by rc planes, heli's or boats, but always been put off by the what if it goes wrong bit, cars drive into something, maybe break a few bits, planes disapper, heli's smash them selfs to bits, and boats sink

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Ive pretty much gone all the circuit LOL

did formula blue Karting, but after a car accident, my Dr wouldnt sign my sheet off for karting due to back problems, GIT

Ive raced Rc cars, bikes and boats, at all levels, local, national and international, 1/5th touring was the best, but £5k RC model cars got a bit expensive LOL

played golf, but back and shoulder made it a bit of a chore

for the last few years I have been shooting, clays, and many different forms of target with rifles etc

quote:

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Originally posted by matt.c
Im thinking about RC toys, cars planes and helicopters

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Hey Matt,

Have you thought about KiteBoarding (on land) and/or KiteSurfing?

Once initial costs are paid out, then there's very little extra outlay apart from a bit of travelling maybe.
And I don't think intial costs are that extreme nowadays. In fact, the making of a buggy, to accompany the landboards, could be a cool project all on it's own!

I think Kites are cool for people of all ages, so in a couple years, it would be relatively easy to ontegrate your kids and maybe even your missus into Kiting with parts of your existing gear etc...

Matt, I feel your pain. I am further down the road then you and have done the whole motorsport thing. F2 BRISCA stock cars and went to karting when the family came along. Even Rotax MAX endurance racing becomes to expensive when the kids are small.

I love petrol and all things associated and I also love photography and video. So I did a "Bundle" and started photographing and videoing events and was lucky enough to make money at it. That got me though the lean years and allowed me to stay involved.

I'm now out the other side and have the Indy bit still do the photography and video for pleasure mostly. Life is a balance and sometimes you have to compromise but if you are smart you can find a win win.

Worked for me. Hope that helps.


........ Neil

quote:

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Originally posted by Steve Hignett
Hey Matt,

Have you thought about KiteBoarding (on land) and/or KiteSurfing?

Once initial costs are paid out, then there's very little extra outlay apart from a bit of travelling maybe.
And I don't think intial costs are that extreme nowadays. In fact, the making of a buggy, to accompany the landboards, could be a cool project all on it's own!

I think Kites are cool for people of all ages, so in a couple years, it would be relatively easy to ontegrate your kids and maybe even your missus into Kiting with parts of your existing gear etc...

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quote:

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Originally posted by matt.c

quote:

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Originally posted by StevieB
Get the kids into karting and make a family hobby of it?

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1 is 3 and the other is 3 months old lol

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for kids to make it in carting you need to be small and light but strong especially if you are going to be competative up the ranks IMHO.

I have a 4 ( tomorow ) and 6 month old the MNR has not been touched for 2 yeas apart from tuning the engine over every couple of motnhs.

Think I am going to build a toylander or a baby MNR 7.

regards

Agriv8

My hobby used to be archery, but family came along so I sold all my gear. But I'm seriously tempted to get back into it again. Its an easy sport to get into, you can take it as far as your ability wants. Technical / engineering side of the sport is interesting, which really appeals to me and I guess most others on this site.

And as many others above, I have been into RC cars, model making. Just got myself an RC helo, but am seriously tempted to make my own tri or quadcopter. Really cool project to build (one hobby) and then fly (another hobby).

Most are cheaper than beer and fags.

How about mountain biking? there are some great locations around the UK. it keeps you fit, and gets you outside in the fresh air.

Every other weekend i go to either the Peak district, or North york moors, then in the week i cycle to/from work a couple of times. Its a good excuse to get all blathered in mud like we did as kids

Stamp collecting....just a thought! ;-)

Beware of the radio controlled model stuff especially the nitro powered heli's. Very addictive and very expensive. On thursday past my £800 heli's receiver crystal fell out whilst I was hovering very low to the ground. It turned around and came at me and my dad full pelt. Luckily we were able to jump out of the way as it smashed into a tree. Parts repair total to just under £100. The fuel is also around £20-25 a gallon and gets burned up very quick.

Forgot to say, for me at least, its a very enjoyable hobby, very tricky to fly compared to 'planes. I just don't get to spend enough time and money on it due to building a house which now needs furnished.

[nerd]

http://technic.lego.com/en-us/Products/8110.aspx

[/nerd]


[richer nerd]

http://www.amazon.co.uk /Lego-10030-Imperial-Star-Destroyer/dp/B0009F3DXM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312893279&sr=8-1

[/richer nerd]

got this for sale if ur interested...

HPi savage 21...

carbon firbre chassis plates

2 gears
reverse gear.
Niro powered very fast and very reliable... still in origional box...

runs fine and starts easily.


Description

Description

yours for £130 delivered

cheers Alan

[Edited on 9/8/11 by tompat3463]

[Edited on 9/8/11 by tompat3463]

I think im going to go the RC direction. Im thinking of getting a car, plane and a helicopter.

I would like to build the plane instead of buying a ready to fly one. Dont know really where to start as i have never flown one before. Are some planes easier to fly that others? Can you get a plane for a beginner?

Im also going to buy one of those small helicopters to learn. And with the RC car i will end up with a off road 2 wheel drive nitro one just to satisfy my need for engines and smelly fuel.


Need to sell the karting gear before i buy the RC stuff.



If i get bored with the RC toys i will go to plan B which is restore and customise a scooter

quote:

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Originally posted by matt.c

I would like to build the plane instead of buying a ready to fly one. Dont know really where to start as i have never flown one before. Are some planes easier to fly that others? Can you get a plane for a beginner?

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