3 ms·

Ask HN: What hobbies do you have outside tech, and how do you start learning it?

3 points by kevindeasis 10y ago

sjs382 10y ago
Woodworking. Got started by just doing. Learned a lot from YouTube and r/woodworking, and refined my skills by doing more projects.
- kevindeasis 10y ago
  Interesting, I've always thought about it. How much did it cost you to get started?
  - sjs382 10y ago
    It doesn't have to cost a lot to get started. I just had a Dewalt and Ryobi beginner power tool kit to get started (they're almost identical—both were gifts). Unless you go the hand-tool-only route, the necessities are a good speed square, a drill, a good set of drill bits and a circular saw. Together, those three things (cordless Ryobi are great for beginners and not super costly) shouldn't cost more than $150? From there, spend as you like to make projects a bit easier. My shop has gotten a lot bigger over the last year or so... I've spent quite a bit. My first real project was a series of planter boxes made of cedar 1x3 boards and cedar fence posts. Considering the cost of the fence posts (cheap), it was a great project to not have to worry too much about material waste.
    - deleted 10y ago
      [deleted]
socceroos 10y ago
Musical composition - all self taught and by no means good at it, but I enjoy doing it. Started off as making short pieces on the piano. Others enjoyed them so I started doing more.
- kevindeasis 10y ago
  Have you started playing in open mics?
JamesVI 10y ago
Beer brewing. Bought a kit. Forced my friends to drink super-sweet partially-fermented wort. Bought THE book and kept making batches until I can produce better beer than some of the local brewpubs (or so I have been told - I still throw out the odd suspect batch). Classical guitar. Bought a guitar. Took lessons for a decade or so and then just kept playing.
dmfdmf 10y ago
Motorcycle.
- kevindeasis 10y ago
  How long from when you've started led you to become part of the motorcycle community in your local area?
  - dmfdmf 10y ago
    My journey was a little atypical. I rode in college decades ago because the parking situation in my college town was dire. After college the need was gone so I stopped riding. I recently picked it back up for recreation and joined two motorcycle discussion forums BARF (bay area riders forum) for general/local riding info and stromtrooper.com for information about my specific bike. The community is very open and friendly but I don't hang out too much with other riders (my personal preference). I almost always ride alone and I ride for recreation (so I do not commute or use it as transportation). I find its a great way to clear my head because when you ride you have to be "in the moment" and put a hold on all your thoughts and troubles for a few hours. Its therapeutic. If you want to get started look into the rider training program for your state to get licensed, insured and to buy a bike. Even if you aren't in the SF Bay Area, BARF is a great place to start and get your questions answered. Cost is up to you but you can get into the hobby for less than $5000.

3 points by kevindeasis 10y ago

Woodworking. Got started by just doing. Learned a lot from YouTube and r/woodworking, and refined my skills by doing more projects.

kevindeasis 10y ago
Interesting, I've always thought about it. How much did it cost you to get started?
- sjs382 10y ago
  It doesn't have to cost a lot to get started. I just had a Dewalt and Ryobi beginner power tool kit to get started (they're almost identical—both were gifts). Unless you go the hand-tool-only route, the necessities are a good speed square, a drill, a good set of drill bits and a circular saw. Together, those three things (cordless Ryobi are great for beginners and not super costly) shouldn't cost more than $150? From there, spend as you like to make projects a bit easier. My shop has gotten a lot bigger over the last year or so... I've spent quite a bit. My first real project was a series of planter boxes made of cedar 1x3 boards and cedar fence posts. Considering the cost of the fence posts (cheap), it was a great project to not have to worry too much about material waste.
  - deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]

socceroos 10y ago

Musical composition - all self taught and by no means good at it, but I enjoy doing it. Started off as making short pieces on the piano. Others enjoyed them so I started doing more.

kevindeasis 10y ago
Have you started playing in open mics?

JamesVI 10y ago

Beer brewing. Bought a kit. Forced my friends to drink super-sweet partially-fermented wort. Bought THE book and kept making batches until I can produce better beer than some of the local brewpubs (or so I have been told - I still throw out the odd suspect batch). Classical guitar. Bought a guitar. Took lessons for a decade or so and then just kept playing.

dmfdmf 10y ago

Motorcycle.

kevindeasis 10y ago
How long from when you've started led you to become part of the motorcycle community in your local area?
- dmfdmf 10y ago
  My journey was a little atypical. I rode in college decades ago because the parking situation in my college town was dire. After college the need was gone so I stopped riding. I recently picked it back up for recreation and joined two motorcycle discussion forums BARF (bay area riders forum) for general/local riding info and stromtrooper.com for information about my specific bike. The community is very open and friendly but I don't hang out too much with other riders (my personal preference). I almost always ride alone and I ride for recreation (so I do not commute or use it as transportation). I find its a great way to clear my head because when you ride you have to be "in the moment" and put a hold on all your thoughts and troubles for a few hours. Its therapeutic. If you want to get started look into the rider training program for your state to get licensed, insured and to buy a bike. Even if you aren't in the SF Bay Area, BARF is a great place to start and get your questions answered. Cost is up to you but you can get into the hobby for less than $5000.