When I retired I was in the same boat as you. I wanted to have something to do and stay at home and I had worked on cars/truck long before that. So I bought a cherry picker and gradually built up some tools. Built a shaded "patio" and went to work. That was 20 years ago.
Guys who like wood stuff buy all kinds of expensive equipment at retirement. People go on cruises. As you can see this is quite a support group, so no problem with problems. Many of us had to learn before forums/internet/youtube/parts searchability. So You ain't got no worries.
You will spend time for sure, but you will spend 10% of what a shop will charge. If you enjoy sparks, drills, hammers, angle grinders, the sound of an air impact, figuring things out, and satisfaction! buy some tools. Most of us are one man shows. We can't expect someone to come over when we feel like working at any hour of the day or night. Then you get rushed trying not to waist their time. You are probably at a disadvantage, I can work almost any day, you have to work around weather.
You may farm out the motor to a shop and the fine body work and paint. But you can do anything else. You do need some space. Sitting home waiting, getting mad at a shop, getting screwed, glued and tattooed is a tuff way to go.
Last edited by bartamos; 01/12/2023 4:13 AM.
