LIFE BEFORE GADGETS? OH, YES

When one reads through the present day Popular Mechanics (and for that matter, any technical publication) one soon realises how much life has advanced since the ’60s when I was a young boy. Today’s approach to any problem or challenge automatically leads to the thought, “Which, computer, program or gadget will I be able to use to solve my problem or complete my project?”

When I retired in 2012, I soon realised that I would need some kind of hobby, not only to keep myself busy, but also to keep my mind active. Yes, I could have accepted the challenge to further my knowledge of these newfound technological marvels; instead, I decided, back to basics for me and use what I have at the lowest cash outlay possible.

As I already had some basic tools, my choice fell on woodwork. During my working life, I had often stood in awe on some construction site admiring the smooth efficiency dance of a piece of construction equipment to the rhythmic music of a powerful diesel engine. My choice was thus fairly obvious: to build wood models of some of the iconic construction machines such as a road grader, loader or excavator. I have since realised the list of fond memories goes way beyond these few and that I will not run out of subjects in my lifetime.

However, from the outset I encountered challenges when I tried to obtain some basic measurements and detail about this equipment. The manufacturers’ reaction to my queries ranged from suspicion of being scammed out of some trade secrets to outright rudeness. All was not lost, however, and armed with a bribe (cool drinks), my faithful old Canon Powershot, clipboard, pencil and tape, a short drive to the nearest construction site was all that was needed to get started. These photographs and access to photos on the Internet were enough to get me going on my first model.

Being a stickler for records, I have kept track of my actual hours spent on these models. To date, I have had a little less than 1 200 hours of endless pleasure while the “what part next and the how to make it to what detail” has kept my mind active. Most of the know-how to use the basic tools has come from recollecting my childhood experience in my dad’s “workshop” and the wonderful friendly expertise from experienced, helpful and friendly members of our local Witwatersrand Woodworkers Association. I definitely won’t die a rich man, but my grandchildren and even their children will have something more valuable and inspiring to remember the “old toppie”: the knowledge that, before electronics, there was life – and a very rewarding life, too.