Any new Quarantine Hobbies found? I'm ruby setting 'Quarantine Corona 2020 Quarters'

[Samuel Whittemore]

Bought a big ass stereo microscope and all the tools to start doing high end engraving. You know those beautiful designs seen on rifles and guns?

While I wait for the tool set to arrive I'm keeping the boredom at bay teaching myself how to get used to working under a microscope by flush setting faceted stones... I call them "Quarantine Corona 2020 Quarters." In this case I flush set a 1mm faceted ruby giving ole George the "terminator eye" --LOL.

Then I give them away to friends. Just ordered 50 more rubies so next I'm going to start circulating them. Most people will never even notice the ruby is so dang small. But those that do just got a wonderful surprise. Some will keep them..... some will pay it forward. If ever you come across one.. you know where it came from!

If Pandemics become a yearly thing --I'll have to do a series... a different stone or design for every year. Ha. But next year I'll be good enough engraving that I could add some pretty cool scrolly acanthus leaves in addition to the faceted stones.

It'd be cool if "Quarantine Quarters" became a thing. Kind of like trench art back in WWI and WWII.

Just a small way of adding some good to the world in these fucked up times.

 

[SmileMaker]

Started the same although I really need to practice drawing more.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

Started the same although I really need to practice drawing more.

NICE!!!!

Come to find out there's a whole science to drawing acanthus leaves and you're well on your way. Looks like it's been transferred to the metal... so this is something you'll be engraving yourself too? Good luck with that --please show the finished piece when you can!?

If I live long enough one day I'm hoping I'm as good as Steve Lindsey.

 

[SmileMaker]

That is the finished engraving on brass. The cuts were blackened with a black sharpie. The engravers café is an excellent source for information.

 

[ChadL]

Nothing new, per se, but I did put up a hitting net and launch monitor (golf) earlier this year so it's getting a lot of use lately. I live in one of the few states that's not under a stay at home order so I'm not as impacted as a lot of us here on the hide.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

Nothing new, per se, but I did put up a hitting net and launch monitor (golf) earlier this year so it's getting a lot of use lately. I live in one of the few states that's not under a stay at home order so I'm not as impacted as a lot of us here on the hide.

Lucky you.. In Beverly Hills here effen dumb asses have issued a face mask mandatory if you're outside --even if you're driving. I'm like oh really? F---K YOU 'BRAH'. Not going to happen.

 

[johnnycat]

I'm trying my hand at some online guitar lessons, and studying Spanish.

 

[Snipe260]

Working on my disappearing skills and the sneak and crawl!

 

[Jscb1b]

Work.

 

[E. Bryant]

Not exactly hobby-related, but I learned some new tricks in Simulink Simscape in the past couple of weeks.

I need to pull the Strat off the wall hook and put in some practice, and go dust off the lathe with some muzzle threading, but between being sick, trying to keep up with work, homeschooling the kids, and spending eight hours a day fighting pointless arguments here, who has the time?

 

[Darayavaus]

 

[Nik H]

I'm learning how to properly taste different wines and spirits

 

[bigdaddydmd]

Improving my leather-smithing skills. Fabricated and tooled a gun belt and holster for a Ruger Blackhawk. Will make a matching buttstock shell holder and sling for the lever gun. Both are .357. Did learn how to do a 4 strand lace rope braid and how to tie a monkey knot while fabricating the hammer loop and strap. Tying that monkey fist in leather is a bitch.

 

[Hookturnr]

I've been working on the house, working on teaching myself to weld, playing guitar a lot more than usual...learned some Hendrix stuff this past week. Also been brushing up on my German as i don't have anyone local to use it with anymore so I've gotten quite rusty..

The terminator quarter is kinda cool!

 

[niteshooter]

Full time work, daycare and homeschool all rolled into one. The days go by fast enough and finding little things to keep active.
The children are very proud of their little vegetable garden.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

Can I just buy one of the terminator quarters off you, haha.

Ha... Thank you. That's a nice compliment. I wouldn't know what to charge. Check this out tho too --Just finished settig a wild boar tusk in antiqued sterling with a pearl. i should go into business setting guy's kills -- claws and tusks..

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

Improving my leather-smithing skills. Fabricated and tooled a gun belt and holster for a Ruger Blackhawk. Will make a matching buttstock shell holder and sling for the lever gun. Both are .357. Did learn how to do a 4 strand lace rope braid and how to tie a monkey knot while fabricating the hammer loop and strap. Tying that monkey fist in leather is a bitch.
View attachment 7295421View attachment 7295423

OMG... Holy Syht! That's gorgeous! Love the colr and esp that little detail of the trigger guard... very clever.

 

[Samuel Whittemore]

eight hours a day fighting pointless arguments

Thank you VERY much. I just wet myself laughing so hard!!! God I'm glad I'm single.

 

[Robben]

Started the same although I really need to practice drawing more.

that's some beautiful engraving.

 

[anonomous09]

Went from being a long time lurker on this forum to having two barreled actions on the way!

 

[Edward156]

A have a couple of nice pieces with good wood on them. They needed a to be stripped and sanded and a bit of TLC.. I use all my gear and it's not for show only. So I stripped a couple of my pieces down and sanded the scratches out and revarnished them again.. Looking really nice.

Next project is my sons. 270..

But to be honest with work increasing, and thank god I have a job still, I am quite busy. Busier than I've beme for a whole long time.

And yiu know what is also good.. I'm working form home a lot and I'm enjoying spending some time with the fmsiky during the day.

My wife lost her job, firdt time in 30 or so years she's been unemployed so it's strange for her. She signed for unemployment but on a positive note. Feds here are hiring and she done an exam for entry. Waiting to hear if she got through to the next stage. I'm hopeful she did.

 

[bigdaddydmd]

OMG... Holy Syht! That's gorgeous! Love the colr and esp that little detail of the trigger guard... very clever.

Thank you. It has been my therapeutic release besides trying to get to the range daily. The colors really pop in the sunlight. I decided on a two tone black and bourdeaux and went with a Buscadero style instead of a Mexican Loop. @myronman3 ruined me when he got me hooked on wheelguns. I blame him and the rest of this forum. Naturally I then migrated from SA/DA revolvers to SAA revolvers and leverguns. Luckily I live in the SW and SAAs and Levers are prolific here. Unfortunately, I have zero skill with a cell phone camera so the pics do not do the gunbelt justice, especially the tooling. Once I get it sealed it should look even better.

I am always amazed at the amount of diverse talent the hide has to offer. This place has such a cast of characters I don't think there is any specialty field that doesn't have someone who works in it. I will keep an eye out for Terminator quarters. They are definitely different and subtle.

 

[MCSO1357]

Frustrated Dog Has No Time To Jerk Off Now That Owner Home All Day

CHICAGO—Feeling upset that he has been unable to get a single moment of privacy over the past week, local dog Muffin expressed frustration Wednesday over having no time to jerk off because his owner has been staying home all day. “This guy hasn’t left the apartment at all since Sunday, how am I...

local.theonion.com

 

[Dunraven]

So it's back to the childhood: building plastic model kits, this time WWII fighter planes: P51, Zero, Corsair, Stuka, Messerschmidt, Spitfire.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

My hobby is working. Because I work in a place where they gave any asshole who claimed an "underlying health condition" paid time off 20% of the people here are home fucking off. I live next door to a guy who works in a different part of the operation, he celebrated Corona by taking his new camper for a two week jaunt until the asshole governor closed all the state parks and lands. The drunks are home drunk all day. The terminally lazy are watching TV.

The rest of us have split into four shifts and are working 14 on, 14 off. 14, 12 hour days in a row then we are "required" to self-quarantine for 14 days. Subject to call backs if anyone gets sick or decides to stay home and fuck off themselves.

 

[Darayavaus]

So it's back to the childhood: building plastic model kits, this time WWII fighter planes: P51, Zero, Corsair, Stuka, Messerschmidt, Spitfire.

that's funny. I just put together a ISU-152 with my kid. Same scale as the box full of 30 year old Tiger and Panther tanks that I saved from my childhood.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

I am a fledgling rockhound, and learning to do lapidary work. Been interested in “cool rocks” all my life, but in the last few years, I have tried to learn more about rocks, and what comes from different areas. I am learning to polish these different stones into cabochons for jewelry making. I’ve gotten pretty good at it. My only problem is I don’t have a polishing machine. They are pretty expensive. I use our local clubs machines to do my work. And since this virus debacle has started, I haven’t been able to get to the shop and work. So, I’ve just been cutting some of my rocks getting them ready for when the shop opens.
Here are a few of my polished cabochons.

Here are some preforms I cut just this morning, getting them ready to be polished.

...and a few of my rough rock slabs that will one day get polished.

Other than that, and keeping the grass mowed between rain storms, I’m still working 50-60 hours a week

 

[Jscb1b]

Good looking rocks!

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Bought a big ass stereo microscope and all the tools to start doing high end engraving. You know those beautiful designs seen on rifles and guns?

While I wait for the tool set to arrive I'm keeping the boredom at bay teaching myself how to get used to working under a microscope by flush setting faceted stones... I call them "Quarantine Corona 2020 Quarters." In this case I flush set a 1mm faceted ruby giving ole George the "terminator eye" --LOL.

Then I give them away to friends. Just ordered 50 more rubies so next I'm going to start circulating them. Most people will never even notice the ruby is so dang small. But those that do just got a wonderful surprise. Some will keep them..... some will pay it forward. If ever you come across one.. you know where it came from!

If Pandemics become a yearly thing --I'll have to do a series... a different stone or design for every year. Ha. But next year I'll be good enough engraving that I could add some pretty cool scrolly acanthus leaves in addition to the faceted stones.

It'd be cool if "Quarantine Quarters" became a thing. Kind of like trench art back in WWI and WWII.

Just a small way of adding some good to the world in these fucked up times.

How about doing some of those new Bat quarters... they would be perfect!

sirhr

 

[oneshot86]

I am a fledgling rockhound, and learning to do lapidary work. Been interested in “cool rocks” all my life, but in the last few years, I have tried to learn more about rocks, and what comes from different areas. I am learning to polish these different stones into cabochons for jewelry making. I’ve gotten pretty good at it. My only problem is I don’t have a polishing machine. They are pretty expensive. I use our local clubs machines to do my work. And since this virus debacle has started, I haven’t been able to get to the shop and work. So, I’ve just been cutting some of my rocks getting them ready for when the shop opens.
Here are a few of my polished cabochons.
View attachment 7296004

View attachment 7296005

View attachment 7296007

View attachment 7296008

Here are some preforms I cut just this morning, getting them ready to be polished.

View attachment 7296015

...and a few of my rough rock slabs that will one day get polished.

View attachment 7296016

Other than that, and keeping the grass mowed between rain storms, I’m still working 50-60 hours a week

im super impressed

 

[waveslayer]

Started selling masks, it is doing really well obviously. Picked up Crocheting! And since I'm essential my life hasn't changed for me with work, busier with policy and procedure changes every 2 hours.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

im super impressed

Thank you Oneshot.

 

[Redmanss]

Our new hobby is collecting overtime at work.

 

[Kickin45]

I’m really getting into custom rifle paint finishes.
I own a small side business that’s automotive painting, but that has always consisted of base/clear. And always ultra high luster clear.
Si tried my hand at a “distressed” look on my
Mossberg MMR yesterday.
Once I started the distressed look, I quickly evolved into the “battle worn” look. And I really like it.
For my first ever attempt, I’m pretty happy, and I think I found a new pastime.
will post pics once the dew outside evaps

 

[nikonNUT]

Range still open and work has gone to a 4-10 shift. Been shooting a lot more! Only other hobby is collecting old straight and safety razors. May have to take up honing soon. I scored a 150 year old Wade and Butcher 8/8s straight for cheap complete with coffin. I need to get it shave ready!
Also managed to get a Kerr sterling silver shave set with a "razor in a bottle" Gillette New Improved. Pretty little rig...

Oh and lots of reading! Checking off Junger's "A Storm of Steel", McBride's "A Rfileman Went to War", and currently reading Musashi's "A Book of Five Rings".

 

[oneshot86]

Our new hobby is collecting overtime at work.

thats the best hobby, take every last bit offer stud

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

Our new hobby is collecting overtime at work.

I’m working lots of overtime, 50-60 hours a week, but...I’m salary.

 

[Redmanss]

I’m working lots of overtime, 50-60 hours a week, but...I’m salary.

As is my wife who’s a mental health counselor. Stress levels are through the roof with much of her clients, so she’s at 12+ hour days from her normal 8. Wouldn’t be so bad if her management didn’t demand daily meetings about the same shit all the time to make themselves feel useful.

Me, it’s production season on the tracks, so four day work weeks became six with 30-40 hours extra a week at time and a half or double time for working holidays. After being salary while military and security contracting for 25 years, it’s damn nice to actually get rewarded for being a workaholic

The railroad hasn’t stopped a thing, instead ensuring we’re keeping folks supplied as fast as the customers can load the cars.

My own hobbies are all on the back burner, have a lapidary saw and polisher that I have yet to set back up from a move last fall, and my reloading table has been over run with homeowner tools as I’m starting to finish out a basement when I have a minute to spare. Only trigger I’m pulling is on an impact gun...

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

As is my wife who’s a mental health counselor. Stress levels are through the roof with much of her clients, so she’s at 12+ hour days from her normal 8. Wouldn’t be so bad if her management didn’t demand daily meetings about the same shit all the time to make themselves feel useful.

Me, it’s production season on the tracks, so four day work weeks became six with 30-40 hours extra a week at time and a half or double time for working holidays. After being salary while military and security contracting for 25 years, it’s damn nice to actually get rewarded for being a workaholic

The railroad hasn’t stopped a thing, instead ensuring we’re keeping folks supplied as fast as the customers can load the cars.

My own hobbies are all on the back burner, have a lapidary saw and polisher that I have yet to set back up from a move last fall, and my reloading table has been over run with homeowner tools as I’m starting to finish out a basement when I have a minute to spare. Only trigger I’m pulling is on an impact gun...

Which saw and polisher do you have. The only piece of equipment I have is an old Star Diamond T-6 6” trim saw. I wish I had a 12 or 14” slab saw. I gotta have a shop before I can own something like that though. One day. I’m looking at the Highland Park CB8 cabbing machine, but they’re proud of them...$1500 without wheels. I may get a Cab King, but I really like want a machine with a separate belt driven motor, as opposed to an arbor motor.

 

[Yasherka]

Not so much a hobby, but I am finally getting off my dead ass and putting the 4 axis DRO on my mill

 

[HogsLife]

Internet shopping and bleeding $$$$

 

[Redmanss]

Which saw and polisher do you have. The only piece of equipment I have is an old Star Diamond T-6 6” trim saw. I wish I had a 12 or 14” slab saw. I gotta have a shop before I can own something like that though. One day. I’m looking at the Highland Park CB8 cabbing machine, but they’re proud of them...$1500 without wheels. I may get a Cab King, but I really like want a machine with a separate belt driven motor, as opposed to an arbor motor.

Not sure the model. It’s old, I got it from my aunt, who got it from my grandfather, who got it from my great-great uncle...

I’ll post pics next weekend if I remember.

 

[Milo 2.5]

Well, kids are free most of the day now, and I find myself shooting pistol more than I care too. Took the godson out for some 45acp 1911 blasting, a little too much for him, back to town to buy a Glock 48 single stack.
So now I am fighting for ammo like the rest of the moRons, kids are like ants on a pile, there is no break until the ammo can is empty. The littlest one was firing with half a bagel hanging out of his mouth, bam, bam, bam, bam-bam, bam, bam, all friggin day. And I am a giant pushover who cannot say no. I am conditioning a DeSantis holster for the kid right now.
Couple days a week, we have Milo's sweatshop reloading, kids knock out 357, 38 spec, and 223 ammo, and for their Dashers. Teaching them nothing is free. I have 1700 or so 45 acp that need a harder crimp, that press will run continuously till it is all done, unless I feed them lunch.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Well, kids are free most of the day now, and I find myself shooting pistol more than I care too. Took the godson out for some 45acp 1911 blasting, a little too much for him, back to town to buy a Glock 48 single stack.
So now I am fighting for ammo like the rest of the moRons, kids are like ants on a pile, there is no break until the ammo can is empty. The littlest one was firing with half a bagel hanging out of his mouth, bam, bam, bam, bam-bam, bam, bam, all friggin day. And I am a giant pushover who cannot say no. I am conditioning a DeSantis holster for the kid right now.
Couple days a week, we have Milo's sweatshop reloading, kids knock out 357, 38 spec, and 223 ammo, and for their Dashers. Teaching them nothing is free. I have 1700 or so 45 acp that need a harder crimp, that press will run continuously till it is all done, unless I feed them lunch.

Absolutely excellent. Having them involved in the reloading AND the cleaning shows them the process from one end to the other. Planting the seeds of "responsibility" is fantastic.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Unrelated, and a bit of a hobby 'long before' this segregation period of life... but a model of the Battleship New Jersey, BB62 in 1:350 scale. That's been ongoing for a while, and at the same time queuing up the logistics for a much larger, 1:96 version of her. That will be 9'3" long, as a comparison.

And radio controlled, and articulated, and armed, etc. There is a LOT of logistics to work out for that project, and I'm looking to/hoping to 'lay the keel' here in the next few months. There's obviously still a few 'importanter' jobs that need to be done first. As always, 'life' gets in the way and when us people make plans, God laughs.

 

[Mr.BR]

 

[Jscb1b]

I’m working lots of overtime, 50-60 hours a week, but...I’m salary.

That SUCKS!!!

 

[TriggerJerk!]

I’m really getting into custom rifle paint finishes.
I own a small side business that’s automotive painting, but that has always consisted of base/clear. And always ultra high luster clear.
Si tried my hand at a “distressed” look on my
Mossberg MMR yesterday.
Once I started the distressed look, I quickly evolved into the “battle worn” look. And I really like it.
For my first ever attempt, I’m pretty happy, and I think I found a new pastime.
will post pics once the dew outside evapsView attachment 7296612View attachment 7296613View attachment 7296614

Totally cool. Describe your procedure when you have time. I think a lot of SH members would enjoy a “how to” from someone with your background and talent. Looks really nice.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

My hobby is working. Because I work in a place where they gave any asshole who claimed an "underlying health condition" paid time off 20% of the people here are home fucking off. I live next door to a guy who works in a different part of the operation, he celebrated Corona by taking his new camper for a two week jaunt until the asshole governor closed all the state parks and lands. The drunks are home drunk all day. The terminally lazy are watching TV.

The rest of us have split into four shifts and are working 14 on, 14 off. 14, 12 hour days in a row then we are "required" to self-quarantine for 14 days. Subject to call backs if anyone gets sick or decides to stay home and fuck off themselves.

Same here... We are essential business as repairs and overhauls still have to be made. Traffic in the city is almost nonexistent, so when I am hauling shipments for the day it feels like I am on the set of Grand Theft Auto. Gotta watch out for the supercar fanatics though. They are outside in full force, taking advantage of the wide and straight line roads. For me it is just kick back with CCR, Toby Keith, or The Eagles blasting on the sound system and enjoying the roar of the diesel engine...

 

[The DFC]

Great thread. I'm still working but being less social (didn't think that was possible) has led me to this cool new hobby-cleaning guns