Initially, I didn’t realize this, but I’m in the minority of this hobby I think. Everyone is some sort of chemical or mechanical engineer. I guess that’s why people get interested in the first place, it makes sense. But it puts mental lilliputians such as myself at a permanent disadvantage. You guys rock at scratch building and modifying kits. I have a hard time tying my shoelaces and most of my kits reflect that, as evidenced by the fact that I still can’t make the salt chipping effect turn out properly. Today marked the second time I stripped the paint off the spit mk IX. Sort of in a frustrating nadir right now, I’m sure I’ll pop out of it in the AM. During this verbal diarrhea diatribe, I did however think of two types of engineer that I am qualified to be: sanitation engineer and malt liquor brewing engineer. hahahaha… I can make a mean party hat out of a budweiser carton.
Don’t worry, not all of use here are engineers. I for one am in collage, and i know that there are a large number of other guys here still in school. I have also seen a number of military and ex-military modelers as well. The diversity of people here that make this place so much fun and so helpful!!
I did used to work for a major aircraft manufacturer, but I was an electrical design drafter. Close enough I guess. I am now a Pepsi distributor that loves the outdoors. The large array of folks here is the biggest attraction! All walks of life with as many life experences to go with!
Dragonfly, I play the guitar too. My wife got me a Les Paul Standard cherry sunburst for a wedding gift. It makes me sound like Jimmy Page, while actual talent level is more like Tiny Tim. haha
Engineers seem to abound here, but I’m an elementary music teacher!
Hey dragonfly and Matt, what kind of music do you guys play? I play too! Have a Gretsch 6120 and Martin 00-16, and a Gibby Les Paul studio I got in high school. I used to play a lot of rock, then I transitioned to jazz, and now since I got my Martin 3 mos. ago I’ve been learning more fingerstyle. Beautiful instruments!
Don’t be imtimidated because someone is particularly strong in a particular academic field. I’m a mechanical engineer by degree, and I sell copper wire. Go figure…I live in a manufacturing town, and have been unable to find a real engineering job in manufacturing in over a year. So I sell wire…it pays the bills.
Swanny mentioned dentists…they’ve got a lot of cool tools! Those drills are air powered and turn at a blazing 400,000 rpm…I talk w/ my dentist at great length about tools.
I like this thread, its funny. I truly appreciate the diversity of folks around here though in real life I too am surrounded by engineers. I’m a Landscape Architect and work with them on a regular basis. Don’t always agree with them though and they usually ruin my designs with their petty need for structural stability [:o)]! So cheer up Mathew, it could always be worse.
As for the music I leave that to my wife as I have no musical talent whatsoever. She’s a violinist with the local symphony and considering I grew up listening to AC/DC and Van Halen I have no idea what she ever saw in me.
Electric bass guitar player… sorta. I’m relearning how to play it…
20 year C-130 aircraft mechanic here. Gave me a great insight into how airplanes work…
I lost out on the musical talent department. My kids are all excellent musicians. Closest I could get was a Rock n Roll disc jockey during my college days. If I sing along with the radio (only when no one but my cats are around mind you) my cats get upset.
Does anyone know the real difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineeers (and architects)?
Civil engineers and architects design and build great bridges and buildings. Mechanical engieers design and build the weapons systems that blow 'em up!
Not an engineer… and have only dabbled in music (my wife is the musical talent, she playes beautiful classical guitar… mostly spanish flamenco style and classical stuff)
I are a computer tech (bad grammer intentional) and in a past life (before I changed careers) I was a Respiratory Therapist…
I guess I do qualify under the ex military thing that was mentioned before… quite a few yrs in the canoe club (Navy)
The big thing is we all learn from each other here… the engineers show us precision, the artistic types (musicians et al) bring out the creativity, …me??? I’m only here for comic relief!!! Everyone brings something unique here… and everyone learns something from the other…
–edit—
is that budweiser party hat OOB or scratch built? haha maybe some PE would help it out!
Respiratory therapist? Wow, my sister is a respiratory therapist, too. Do you smoke? My sis smokes 1-1/2 packs a day…I don’t see how someone could watch people hack up and spit out chunks of a lung, then go and smoke. Especially after our mother died at 55 from lung cancer, and our father at 68 from emphysema (COPD).
But that’s me…I’ve got a serious weight problem, I look at a donut and I gain 5 lbs.
I’m a soon-to-be-licensed customs broker…Please, for your own safety, don’t ask…very boring job. But, like so many others, it pays the bills.
The modeling thing comes in were my artistic talents left off. I was a great painter in college while getting my teaching degree. Then, somehow I wound up buying a suit and a Mercury, getting a haircut and commenced pushing papers for corporate America. I used to model when I was a kid and I got back into it. The modeling helps relieve the tension of my soul-crushing, flourecently lit, dungeon that is my day job.
Les paul…great sounding guitar, but the necks too fat for my sausage like fingers.
Fred,
Love the blues!!! I mainly use a Fender strat, or my favorite,1964 Gibson 345-td played thru a vintage Fender super reverb. Your Martin is an excellent axe.
Well… if it matters… I drive a semi.There are not too many people in that line of work that would know what a GRU-7 is,or even care for that matter.At this point in my life this is my only avenue to enjoy my love of aviation.I was hooked after I seen the Blue Angels perform in the A-4.I like it here because,I can talk to people with the same interests in aircraft that I have.I am in a local model car club,but I repeatedly get threatened with vehicular homicide if I go to a meeting and start talking about things that were built to fly.As for musical ability…well, I’m a good listener!! So welcome to the Forum…please stay and enjoy yourself!
Sorry, 3D Architectural illustrator and draftsmen here…
Music: nope, got a tin ear. My wife and daughter clasp thier hands over their ears and run away screamin’ when I start singin’. Even the dog will lay down and put her paws over her head.
