AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: Mike Brooks on January 13, 2024, 07:55:57 PM
-
I need to start building guns again. Prices folks are getting on this for sale section are astounding! :o
-
I agree with you Mike, I wonder if they are getting it or just asking?
-
You need to un-retire Mike. One of your used rifles is on Gunbroker for $5000. ;D
Brice
-
You need to un-retire Mike. One of your used rifles is on Gunbroker for $5000. ;D
Brice
Nifty. 8)
-
Mike get back at it. But on eBay always look at how many bids their are.
That tells you all you want to know...
-
You need to un-retire Mike. One of your used rifles is on Gunbroker for $5000. ;D
Brice
Nifty. 8)
Here it is at $5K https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1030848048
-
You need to un-retire Mike. One of your used rifles is on Gunbroker for $5000. ;D
Brice
Nifty. 8)
Here it is at $5K https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1030848048
Same gun on the CLA website for $500.00 less.
-
I need to start building guns again.
Outstanding!
-
[/quote]Same gun on the CLA website for $500.00 less.
[/quote]
Gotta cover that GB Final Value Fee, dontchaknow.
-
Same gun on the CLA website for $500.00 less.
[/quote]
Gotta cover that GB Final Value Fee, dontchaknow.
[/quote]
Sounds like a "Buyers fee" at a car auction.10%.A car once owned by actor Gary Cooper went for $20,000,000 PLUS a $2,000,000 buyers fee.I despise auctions and will not make a bid or offer on anything.
Bob Roller
-
Just saw a Mike Brooks rifle at Dixon's can't remember the price ( they are on vac 1/15-1/25) but it's there hanging from the ceiling
-
Artists can’t retire. It’s against nature.
-
Artists can’t retire. It’s against nature.
Approaching two years with out a finished gun. Feels pretty good. But that kind of money looks pretty good too!
-
Only ONE lock has been made in my shop since 2019 and it was a J&S Hawken using a cast plate and hammer.
It had a mechanism like the old ones with a single position tumbler and it went to California.
Bob Roller
-
Mike, it would be neat to see you putting out new items. I can't blame anyone for wanting to enjoy the peace of retirement, but then if I had your experience, time and tools, I'd probably keep making stuff until the Lord called me home. Particularly if you built things to order (i.e. barrel specs, LOP, etc) that still allows for your creative license to exercise itself. :D
-
Mike an other custom gun makers get all the credit I can give them. When I retired from my job I thought I would build a few guns and sell them. Went really well until I took on a consignment job.
What a nightmare that was. The guy was calling me more than a car insurance guy.
or the kids. Is it done yet...over an over...lol. I told him six months but he thought six hours...? But it worked out, he bought a India made gun at a pawn shop. I got to keep my gun.
How any of you have done it for so long deserve a medal...
-
That's why I never ansewr my phone.
-
You do right Mike.
Same here and i'm not making guns, LOL.
O-T,
"Are we nearly there yet?"
Some folk think I should quit farming and make guns.
Soon as I did that it wouldn't be fun anymore.
-
Mike yep never should have answered the phone...lol
-
Its funny how common it is that we have a strong interest in something or some skill, and it becomes a life-long interest and one of the first things we want to do is make it a "job." As soon as it becomes our job, it does not take long before it is no longer the same- it becomes "toil." I used to draw and paint all the time. I got a college degree in applied art and design, jumped into the graphic design profession, lived and breathed it, and successfully applied myself for almost 40 years and counting. I think it was about 10 years in, that I realized that drawing and painting was the last thing I wanted to do in my free time. Oh the act of drawing and paining was still fun and engaging, but I did it as work. Nothing wrong with work. We are created by God do work. But when I am not at work, I want to do something different.
I hope that when I retire, I might re-acquire an interest/love for drawing and painting.
K
-
I hope that when I retire, I might re-acquire an interest/love for drawing and painting.
Good luck with that. My wife was a fulltime artist and has no interest in ever picking up a paint brush again. Several of her artist friends are the same.
-
Does the same thing happen if you make corn liquor, Mike?
-
Does the same thing happen if you make corn liquor, Mike?
Probably the same. ;D
-
I owned a brick mortar , welding field service business for 38 years when I retired I kept one Field service enclosed trailer I have absolutely no interest in what I did - I use the equipment for Honey due - and my 100 yard range for targets dinger stands, I understand once retired no interest !
-
I owned a brick mortar , welding field service business for 38 years when I retired I kept one Field service enclosed trailer I have absolutely no interest in what I did - I use the equipment for Honey due - and my 100 yard range for targets dinger stands, I understand once retired no interest !
When I stopped making locks in 2019 I still made some triggers but now,after we looked at our situation it is not likely that I
will do any more shop work. Loss of interest plus lower back stenosis is now in charge.I do maintain a good interest in the work
of others on this forum.I was on a automobile forum dedicated to megabuck cars but those activities are minimal now as far as
I can tell now.
Bob Roller
-
Artists can’t retire. It’s against nature.
Approaching two years with out a finished gun. Feels pretty good. But that kind of money looks pretty good too!
Don't take on any consignments, build at your own pace that way there is no pressure!
-
I don’t know For me I love creating things. I always have, and suppose always will. I would love to get back into painting and Dulcimer and Scheitholt building. I need to be cloned to do everything that I really want to do. Its maddening.
I think though that without the spirit, doing something endlessly that you don’t love doing sucks your life away. There are way too many “ professionals” I know that don’t seem to care and keep trudging along in their rut.
That’s sad.
Doing what you love doing is a great thing and most people don’t do that, unfortunately.
-
Artists can’t retire. It’s against nature.
Approaching two years with out a finished gun. Feels pretty good. But that kind of money looks pretty good too!
Don't take on any consignments, build at your own pace that way there is no pressure!
It appears my own pace is something less than 1 gun every two years. ;D I have a couple guns that need to be done for april.
I shoot a lot now. I didn't get to do much of that once I started fulltime gun work in '96. I shoot lots of black powder, but I don't own a muzzleloader....go figure.
-
Now I need to sort through my barrel pile
I'm seeing Getz barrels are bringing $400. Is there something special about Getz barrels I'm unaware of?
-
I dunno Mike.
My two Don Getz barrels always seemed top flight. High finish in the bores and didn't need anything.
Shine like glass.
If others are as good that is good, but they seemed better than the other breeds I got ten-twenty years ago.
-
I dunno Mike.
My two Don Getz barrels always seemed top flight. High finish in the bores and didn't need anything.
Shine like glass.
If others are as good that is good, but they seemed better than the other breeds I got ten-twenty years ago.
All depends on how old they are I guess. The last ones I received needed work before I could use them, hardly a deal.....
-
They would sell higher if they were attached, say, to one of your stocks with all the fixins😉
-
We've all heard that "if you're job is doing something you enjoy that brings you satisfaction and that You'd do as a hobby, you'll never work a day in your life".
When I had to retire from my "job" it hit me hard. My job was my identity and who I was. I was good at what I did, loved it, and had a great deal of influence on many others. I think that it's much like that for most gifted artistic craftsmen/artists including gun builders.
Mike, keep building, not to cater to "customers" but to satisfy yourself and to do how and what you like.
-
We've all heard that "if you're job is doing something you enjoy that brings you satisfaction and that You'd do as a hobby, you'll never work a day in your life".
When I had to retire from my "job" it hit me hard. My job was my identity and who I was. I was good at what I did, loved it, and had a great deal of influence on many others. I think that it's much like that for most gifted artistic craftsmen/artists including gun builders.
Mike, keep building, not to cater to "customers" but to satisfy yourself and to do how and what you like.
A very good friend closed his recording studio this summer I had sent some gear wanting- calling to know were to ship in the discussion his said he lost his identity- is this this is some catch term ? I do know one thing his identity is being a great friend , good human not what he did !
-
Strikes me that "identity" is:
The way others see you.
The way you see yourself.
Most likely one can lose their self identity quickly based on life changes. If Mr. Brooks finds meaning and value outside of making guns that weighs more than that which he found making guns then it's not a difficult decision to stop. Things that motivate "artists" are complex IMO. What is not complex is looking forward to today and the happiness it can bring, making guns or making music or listening to the birds sing.
-
Interesting conversation. I quit building for a variety of reasons. About 2015 I started to deal with a lot of pain from arthritis and inflammation. There were days I couldn't handle tools
By 2017 my left shoulder quit working and I had it repaired, more or less. My lower back and hips have arthritis and bursitis. So, building guns in pain just wasn't fun anymore.
Also, during all those years of building full-time I just couldn't justify taking the time to go shooting. Hunting or fishing as I always had "THE LIST" to take care of. I got to the point I really resented " THE LIST". I haven't made a gun in exactly two years now and don't miss it, although I have plans to make more than several more in the future.
I do have artistic interests. I now cook. It is as satisfying as making guns, believe it or not. I make the best traditional Mexican food you could ever eat. For better than anything you'll find in any high end Mexican restaurant.
I also do a lot of shooting and loading for archaic BPCRs, very satisfying getting these old guns up and running.
So, I haven't forgot who I am, I'm actually expanding my interests and doing things all of you have always had time to do while I always had to work.
-
While not quite as "broken up" at Mikey, I find peace and contentment just sitting and watching the water and boaters. Now and then I climb into my little red boat and go catch some trout
or char. The lake extends 58 miles length to the West. This is just a 2 1/2 mile bay at the East end.
(https://i.ibb.co/kq6tQ98/20210901-180443.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BTK9qrZ)
-
Going down in history as ‘Mike Brooks, taco chef’
-
;D It could be worse!
-
Well, heck. You are close enough for me to invite myself over for some Mexican food! I would bring the wine and or cerveza.
Fleener
-
Well, heck. You are close enough for me to invite myself over for some Mexican food! I would bring the wine and or cerveza.
Fleener
We'll do it this summer and do some fishing in the same trip. My wife actually likes you so you're good to go!
-
I will hold you to it.
I think the only reason she likes me is that she has never met me.....
Fleener
-
I will hold you to it.
I think the only reason she likes me is that she has never met me.....
Fleener
Hmmmm. Well, you better be on your best behavior then. She liked Wayne real well so there's the bar you have to clear. :P
-
I'm pretty sure at this point the fellas and me would sign up for your Friendship taco making class.
-
;D
-
I can't retire! Having too much fun. Buying a major property tomorrow. A shark has to keep moving to get water through his gills or will die. I will be 81 this year in October. LandShark Bill!
-
Mike, how about your best chicken enchilada recipe? Hard to find good Mexican food in small town Wyoming.
-
Mike just do what you want...I gave up that working for a living at 60.
Money really doesn't buy happiness... Besides if I was working I wasn't fishing...lol
-
1 1/2 hours fishing - best tasting trout in B.C. WAYY better than any trout in the USA ( unless you have lakes well over 200feet deep).
These are so sweet.
May is almost here & back to the lake.
(https://i.ibb.co/vYtCyHw/20230808-142152.jpg) (https://ibb.co/749xMXY)
The smaller char are really good eating too.
(https://i.ibb.co/qWWyK9n/IMG-3061.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b22WTL3)
3 1/2 pound foot ball of a rainbow.
(https://i.ibb.co/jWY4GCD/20210910-154506.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rchyMBH)
-
;D It could be worse!
Ya... you could have been said to be the maker of a gun, that I'm pretty sure someone else made. ;)
Randy aka bpd303
-
I was in the architectural millwork business for 40 years and I never got tired of the work. I worked until I was 76 and sold the business. I still visit the shop and see old friends. One of the things I liked was being able to set aside interesting pieces of hardwood lumber. We used all kinds of lumber, both domestic and exotic, lots of maple, oak, and mahogany. I made several rifles from lumber that I saved. I was as interested in my work the last day as I was the first. Men like Mike and Bob Roller had to keep that same interest or they couldn’t have kept doing the quality work they did.
Lynn
-
I fixed forklifts on the road for 40 years. Hard, heavy, dirty work. I liked meeting new people and getting hard things accomplished. It paid well and put 3 daughters thru college after my wife of 24 years died from cancer. It never defined who I was other than a hard worker. Remarried to the love of my life a couple years before I retired and we are having a ball.
I walked out at 62 and never looked back. Miss some people but avoid mechanical work. Building my own rifles now and have 4 of them in various stages of completion. Building a new house that is very isolated, good deer hunting and lots of room to shoot. Fighting arthritis and neuropathy but I stop whenever I need to.
Don
-
Amen Don. It’s been a good game. I did manual labor and that’s probably why we’re still going.
Lynn