Looking for a new, inexpensive hobby.

Poita (Peter) · #1 09-10-2012, 01:36 PM

I'm regrettably going to be selling up all my astro gear (see classies) due to having to move, buy a car with more seats and a new baby on the way.

Any suggestions for a hobby that will keep my brain ticking over but doesn't have much setup/ongoing costs? It is time for something new!

Astro_Bot · #2 09-10-2012, 02:01 PM

If you're technically inclined, you could play around with Linux and get involved in a forum or two. I switched to Linux around 2004 but was heavily involved for about 4 or 5 years in support forums and learned an enormous amount in the process. It can chew up a lot of time if you let it and the forum communities are generally pretty good - I made some pretty good acquaintances over the years spread around the world.

It starts with downloading an ISO for a Linux distribution, joining a corresponding forum, installing (maybe dual boot at first) and away you go.

Assuming you already have a reasonable computer, it's completely free (save the cost of any CD-R/DVD-Rs you burn). Not only that, it can save you money if you can successfully migrate everything to Linux. I figure I've saved at least $2000 in software costs since 2004.

PS: Congratulations on the new baby.

TrevorW · #3 09-10-2012, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

I'm regrettably going to be selling up all my astro gear (see classies) due to having to move, buy a car with more seats and a new baby on the way.

Any suggestions for a hobby that will keep my brain ticking over but doesn't have much setup/ongoing costs? It is time for something new!

Entomology

troypiggo (Troy) · #4 09-10-2012, 02:30 PM

RC helicopters. Enjoy.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #5 09-10-2012, 02:41 PM

Keep one scope if you can, even your most modest, & start sketching! $20 will see you supplied for weeks. Heck, I'll send you over some sketching kit if you like to get you going. Would be such a shame to loose all you've gained and shared with us.

MattT · #6 09-10-2012, 02:48 PM

Get a Guitar and teach yourself how to play it. Keeps the brain going and 2nd hand ones are cheap as chips.
Matt

Poita (Peter) · #7 09-10-2012, 02:53 PM

I simply can't see a thing at the new house, I'll probably keep the ED80 and cube though just for when we go camping. I'd have to learn to sketch left handed, right hand is no good

The new place is next to a carpark that has massive sets of lights on both sides of the house. It is like being in the middle of the SCG with all the lights on, they run 24/7.

RC helicopters sound like a moneypit with my reaction-time

I may get back into programming and Linux, or even python and teach the kids along the way. Have a bunch of old computers here to experiment with.

No shortage of insects either, so maybe entomology will be the go

Guitar is a great idea, my daughter is an accomplished flautist, it would be good to be able to share time with her. I just had a look, they sure are cheap 2nd hand. Any pointers as to what to look out for so I don't get a dog?

mental4astro (Alexander) · #8 09-10-2012, 02:56 PM

Moon & planets don't need dark skies.

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #9 09-10-2012, 02:56 PM

DIY brain surgery???

I think I have some books you can have from my first atte

multiweb (Marc) · #10 09-10-2012, 03:27 PM

With a baby on the way you won't need a hobby. No time for that. You'll need lots of nappies.

troypiggo (Troy) · #11 09-10-2012, 03:44 PM

D'oh. I misread your title. Thought it said "new, expensive hobby" lol!

Astro_Bot · #12 09-10-2012, 03:56 PM

You could buy a copy of the Kama Sutra and work your way through that. Given there's a baby on the way, you're at least qualified to start!

marmotte (Pierre) · #13 09-10-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

Guitar is a great idea, my daughter is an accomplished flautist, it would be good to be able to share time with her. I just had a look, they sure are cheap 2nd hand. Any pointers as to what to look out for so I don't get a dog?

Somebody who can play (don't need to be pro, beginner's enough) and whom you trust to try it out for you/with you.

sheeny (Al) · #14 09-10-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattT

Get a Guitar and teach yourself how to play it. Keeps the brain going and 2nd hand ones are cheap as chips.
Matt

+1 Did that when I was 15. Great thing to do. I still play, though I'm sure I've forgotten more about playing the guitar that I currently remember.

Quote:

Originally Posted by multiweb

With a baby on the way you won't need a hobby. No time for that. You'll need lots of nappies.

There is that... however, sometime you just need something for a bit of escape.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astro_Bot

You could buy a copy of the Kama Sutra and work your way through that. Given there's a baby on the way, you're at least qualified to start!

'nuff said.

Or....

Have a look on Amazon for a series of books by David Gingery called "Build your own metalworking shop from scrap". It's all about scrounging and making do, so it doesn't cost more than you're prepared to pay

.

I bought the set out of interest, and so far I've made my blast furnace for well under $100,

just working on flasks for sand casting. As for building the lathe, shaper, mill, drill press (I already have one), dividing head and leaf press... that's for when I retire.

Just a suggestion

...

Al.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #15 09-10-2012, 04:44 PM

How about getting stuck into the yard and making a vegie garden.

It's not only soothing and satisfying, you get to eat it in the end too.

Congratulations on the new bub too.

PCH (Paul) · #16 09-10-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by multiweb

With a baby on the way you won't need a hobby. No time for that. You'll need lots of nappies.

and a willingness to dive into buckets of sh*t - lol

Nightshift · #17 09-10-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

Guitar is a great idea, my daughter is an accomplished flautist, it would be good to be able to share time with her. I just had a look, they sure are cheap 2nd hand. Any pointers as to what to look out for so I don't get a dog?

Start with a Nylon acoustic, plenty under $100, learn 6 basic chords and start playing. Learn to read TAB, it isnt hard and go to any TAB web sites for your music, all free. Once you are playing a few tunes buy a steel string acoustic/electric with a narrow neck, your playing will improve tenfold but your fingers will need to toughen up. No need to pay more than $300 for a first steel guitar. I have bought many good guitars from cash converters, people buy expensive guitars, dont learn and lose interest and then trade them cheap, I have a nice Takemine steel acoustic/elec with cut away that retails for around $1200 I payed $280 with a case at CConverters, the case was worth $150.

Enjoy. Dennis.

RickS (Rick) · #18 09-10-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poita

Any suggestions for a hobby that will keep my brain ticking over but doesn't have much setup/ongoing costs? It is time for something new!

Trolling on Internet forums?

Congrats on the baby. Shame you're leaving astronomy, at least for now...

sheeny (Al) · #19 09-10-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightshift

Start with a Nylon acoustic, plenty under $100, learn 6 basic chords and start playing. Learn to read TAB, it isnt hard and go to any TAB web sites for your music, all free. Once you are playing a few tunes buy a steel string acoustic/electric with a narrow neck, your playing will improve tenfold but your fingers will need to toughen up. No need to pay more than $300 for a first steel guitar. I have bought many good guitars from cash converters, people buy expensive guitars, dont learn and lose interest and then trade them cheap, I have a nice Takemine steel acoustic/elec with cut away that retails for around $1200 I payed $280 with a case at CConverters, the case was worth $150.

Enjoy. Dennis.

+1

If you are serious about learning guitar, when it comes to tabs, download TuxGuitar. Its free and will let you read Guitar Pro and several other tab file formats. It will play the music as well so you can play along with it.

Most of my tabs are still in plain old text format, but that's OK too.

Enjoy! ...and remember the difference between a guitarist and everyone else is the guitarist didn't give up when he/she got frustrated.

Cause you will, but its all part of the learning experience

.

Al.

Ausrock (Chris) · #20 09-10-2012, 08:19 PM

If you decide to go the guitar route...........

DON'T........

1) buy a nylon string unless you're interested in playing classical or "soft" folk
2) buy a cheap steel string acoustic from a s/hand shop UNLESS it's a known, reputable brand and you have a decent guitarist friend with you to offer advice. Even the lower end "known brand" guitars (eg: Maton) are relatively affordable, good instruments that hold their value.

DO........

1) learn to read basic music notation rather than TAB or get your daughter to teach you

2) anticipate a different learning curve

3) learn to have patience

And as Sheeny said.........

"Enjoy! ...and remember the difference between a guitarist and everyone else is the guitarist didn't give up when he/she got frustrated. Cause you will, but its all part of the learning experience"