Help me find a hobby!

"Khalbali" (khalbali2) 03/13/2020 at 16:58 • Filed to: None

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For my health and sanity I really need a new hobby, hopefully with all the diverse interests here I can get some good ideas. I need something I can “do” collecting doesn’t really do it for me. Cost is big too. I like mechanical stuff, but cars cause me more grief than happiness these days. Kinda thinking about trying to make clocks or something, I’m not really creative in an artistic sense but I like Legos they’re just expensive and I don’t just want to be following directions forever. Also thinking about archery but the mechanical aspect is lacking then, guns would seem to check the boxes but cost and mental health (mainly my wife but I’ve struggled too) rule out guns. So any ideas? I think I would like building RC cars or something but don’t really see myself using them.

TL;DR - looking for mechanical hands on hobby that can be creative and original without really being artistic.

Chuckles > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:27

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Pinball is my recommendation to people looking for a hobby. Buy an old game and dive in. Playing pinball can be social or a solo activity, and it's a lot of fun.

atfsgeoff > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:28

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Take up woodworking. The materials can be had super cheap or even free if you’re not picky, and you can start with very inexpensive hand tools and Harbor Freight level power tools, working your way up as you gain knowledge and skill. You can make whatever you fancy out of wood, and it can be as simple or elaborate as your patience and skill allows. It involves some math, precision and patience, especially starting out. But it’s very fulfilling.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:32

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I know it’s a bit old school but have you thought about lapidary? 

sony1492 > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:34

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Metal F abrication if you can find projects for yourself.(new garden gate, railing for steps, etc.)

A $200 welder, $20 angle grinder, $50 auto dim welding mask, $10 gloves, $5 safety glasses, $50 fire extinguisher, maybe a chop saw off craigslist, and misc measuring equipment.

Its cheap once you have the equipment you want since your only costs are consumables and metal. Seeing your ideas come to life from scratch is rewarding and your always learning

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:35

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Cow tipping is rewarding  

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:40

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Woodworking.  Start small - a set of chisels, and a saw.  It’s possible to find a decent set of chisels for, say, $30, and a cheap tenon or dovetail saw for $15.  Start with construction grade lumber.  It feels good to do stuff with your hands and have something to hold in the end.

Khalbali > sony1492 03/13/2020 at 17:40

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I should have mentioned an acute lack of space, I currently have a 0-bedroom apartment with a wife and cat.....

Khalbali > atfsgeoff 03/13/2020 at 17:40

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I should have mentioned an acute lack of space, I currently have a 0-bedroom apartment with a wife and cat.....

sony1492 > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:42

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Sewing then

Pickup_man > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:45

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I think m ost “building” hobbies are going to end up being costly unless you’re willing to sell your project when done. Motorcycles and ATV’s have been my go to hobby for a while, they’re less expensive and take up less space than cars, but still take up a lot of space and cost a good sum of money.

Other hobbies that my mechanically minded friends are in to include diecast customization (not just Hotwheels etc, look into custom farm toys, it’s a whole o ther level). Similarly model cars.

Guitar building, can be expensive and not super rewarding if you don’t play.

Computer building, again, can add up very fast.

Wood working. Initial buy in for good tools can get expensive, so can quality wood, but even basic construction with a circ saw and 2x4's can be cheap and fun. 

I actually find games like Minecraft to satisfy my mechanical and engineering type interests. Just plain old puzzles work pretty well for me too.

ranwhenparked > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:48

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You could take up electronics repair/restoration. I've got some old radios I'd give away to anyone that would use them

For Sweden > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:49

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Kerbel Space Program

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 17:49

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3D printing? You can get a Creality Ender 3 Pro at microcenter for like $200. They dont take up a huge amount of space, and theyre a lot of fun to dick around with.

You can also download Autodesk Fusion and start making some designs of your own.

Khalbali > ClassicDatsunDebate 03/13/2020 at 17:49

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I had not, that's interesting. Space is an issue though, but definitely something I'll look into.

Chariotoflove > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 18:08

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Guy comes to car-based forum asking for idea for mechanically inclined hobbies. Let’s see...

...nope, coming up empty. I got nothing.

Wait, what about building up computers?  Are you interested in them?  Because some people take fun in building gaming rigs or productivity machines.  You can usually even sell them if they're any good.  Parts are usually cheap if you know where to look.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 18:09

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For a while I was really into toy-car restoration or customization . I would take a model van, for example, and chop-off the cargo area to make a pickup. Or just disassemble any car and repaint it in a different color, add the lights and stuff. It’s easy to get into, just a video or two will help you figure it out. You don’t need too many tools or space. Spray painting can be done by just running outside of your place and holding it in your hand, then when painted bring it back in to dry. You don’t need to even display them or anything, for me just the process was fun.

Also maybe restoring old bicycles, if you’re into it? It takes some space, but not a crazy amount. Also not too many tools are needed. The plus here is that you can sell them, often for a profit.

I have a really really tiny tool shed where I did lots of stuff. I believe you when you say you have no space, but try not to let that dictate what you do too much. If you stumble into something you’re really interested in, try to compromise.

AdamB > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 18:25

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Maybe a video game. No space or money needed. Only a smartphone. Some can feel pretty hands on and will eat up hours of boredom.

WRXforScience > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 18:43

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Autocross, Track Days, and/or Time Trials are the way to go. Get a BRZ/86, Miata, or something someone else already prepped for the track and go have fun. You can do older cars, but you said you didn’t want to work on them. You could also do more powerful cars; however, the heavier and more power a car has the more consumables cost and straight line speed isn’t as fun as speed through the corners.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 18:46

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There are some types of woodworking that take little space. Look up Kumiko. You could also try making rings. Both can be done with hand tools in a small space.

TheJWT > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 18:52

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One of my friends just got into making custom watches, he seems to really enjoy it. Or learn a new lan guage; I’ve been learning Japanese for the past few years

nermal > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 18:56

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Try disc golf. It’s ~$30 for a starter set or discs , and most courses are free. You basically walk around, throw frisbees, and curse at nature for anything that impedes the progress of your frisbees. Then when you get home, you curse at your discs and buy newer and better ones for $10 - $20 each. 

Dogsatemypants > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 19:17

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Taxidermy, macrame, bushcraft, fur trapping, larping..... sooo many options

Nom De Plume > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 20:35

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Shitposting, the mechanics are astoundingly complex the longer and deeper your run at it is.

Jim Spanfeller > Khalbali 03/13/2020 at 20:45

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Here’s a thought...

Model airplanes. Why? B ecause 1)They’re cool and fun to build, and, perhaps most importantly in your case, 2) You can hang them from the ceiling.

You don’t have to worry about them taking up any floor/storage/shelf space because, unless you’re super tall, they can occupy that useless space between your head and the ceiling without causing problems. They make nice projects that take some time to complete, so you get your money’s worth. And they’re nice to look at, too. I say if you’re stuck indoors with nothing to do, then the answer is to turn the ceiling of your apartment into a miniature air and space museum.

ST80MND > Khalbali 03/14/2020 at 09:51

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Sim racing. Initial cost is about the same as a good entry level mtn. Bike, which is another great hobby.

Schaef_Camaero Z/28 > Khalbali 03/16/2020 at 15:59

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Late to the party here, but Cycling. Road biking to mountain biking and anything in between. It’s good for your health, it’s fun, cost of entry can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be, tinkering with a bike might scratch your mechanical itch and it doesn’t take up much space.