Model railroading IS FUN, BUT, when you have Small Muscal Involuntary Movement it now becomes more of a challenge. Now well into my 70's, my tremors have become worse. I build N Scale cars (Bash Really) and have built alot of them and still do...but... it takes me alot longer now. And..for the first time I'm using a Railer to put car on the track on my layout...Frustrating. I would bet others out there are having similar problems and like me are soldering forward because it is still FUN!
Yup, now in my 60s my eyes are not as sharp as they used to be, thank God for tri-focals. And my hands are not as steady as in the past either. After fighting with N scale wheels I have no qualms about using a railer! Enjoy!
Absolutely. It takes a longer these days, and as you noted, can be frustrating. But I am keeping on with it. No intentions of giving it up. Have things I still wish to accomplish. Eyesight and tremors, but will go on until I simply cannot any longer.
You're a million miles in front of all the able bodied people who just couldn't be bothered even trying !
Ay 65+, aging eyesight is my greatest frustration, but with the aid of an Optivisor, good light and extra patience (which is often in short supply), I manage to press on. @marty coil , I love seeing your work and find myself wondering how you accomplish so much with such excellence.
Marty, I truly enjoy seeing your work, very nice. I can certainly relate to this thread as I am 82 on 08/15 and have, in the past year or so, begun to have arthritic fingers, knuckles. It is extremely frustrating to me and yes it takes a whole lot longer to complete a project. My eyesight is not an issue, as back in 1984, at the age of 44 I had ripe cataracts in both eyes and had them removed with lens implants put in. I see quite well. Here is a project that I just completed this past weekend, my B'mann EM-1 bash job. I know that 4-5 years ago I could have done a real good job on her but I did accomplish what I set out to do. Yes, the tremors are getting worse but I did a recent paint job to take advantage : All kidding aside, I think of it as never stop or I will loose the desire and capability to do projects. Be well !
Blessings to you. Having a project to do, even minimal, is likely a contributor to mental and physical health. My mother lived 92 years and stayed busy sewing comfort pillows for veterans, did volunteer work and even painted all of her porch furniture in her last summer.
I'm 64 with good eyes and hands. I'm doing well with the locomotives and cars, it's the details and buildings that I stress out the most with. If I'm having trouble with anything it's my brain (or what's left of it). Sometimes when trying to move whats in my head to my finger tips, something takes a wrong turn and gets lost . I really think it's more that I'm just too picky and just don't leave well enough alone, what I think it should look like and what it ends up looking like are not always the same. Ralph
I must admit when I saw the title of this thread I immediately thought of the 1990 film of the same name with Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward. It became a cult classic as a horror comedy.
im59 broke my neck in the Marine Corps 3 surgeries later and fighting diabetes and still push on because of love for hobby
First, thank-you for your service to our country and condolences for the injury you sustained. I hope the surgeries have repaired the damage done and you are not having serious issues as a result. It is good that you have been able to continue model railroading and hope for many years of enjoyment in this hobby.
Among other things that have changed recently, like no longer installing MT couplers routinely. I have always liked the mouse pointer to move as fast as possible because I like it to move from one part of the screen to the opposite side, quickly. When I was younger, I could whiz around the screen with the best of them. Very recently, I have had to change the setting from "fast" all the way down to "slow" because it became too difficult to zero in on a button to click on it. Bummer. Doug
@doug gousha, maybe try a trackball mouse. You roll a small ball around without having to move the mouse, so your hand stays resting on the table.
At one time, I had a trackball but didn't like it. And now, I believe my index finger is as unsteady as the rest of my hand. I will just adapt. Doug
For the last 5 years I've used a Logitech Wireless M570 Trackball that you roll with your thumb. My thumb handles fine movement better than the other fingers.
Ever try one of those vertical ones? I looked into them when I had bad carpal tunnel at an old job then got laid off so problem solved HAHA Basically a mouse on it's side with a big handrest - supposed to be more ergo. Never used one myself, but would not think it would be as foreign as a trackball.
