My neighbor called my forge a 'noisy hobby' and it got me thinking

He said it last Tuesday while I was working on a set of fireplace tools, and it stuck with me. On one side, I get it, the hammering can be loud and it's just my garage. But I also see it as a real craft, not just a pastime, with a history and skill to it. Where do you all draw the line between a loud hobby and a serious trade when you're working from home? Has a comment like that ever changed how you run your shop?

3 comments

3 Comments

mary_nelson7120d ago

Oh man, my buddy had a similar thing happen with his wood lathe. He ended up inviting the neighbor over to see a finished piece and explain the process. The guy totally changed his tune once he saw the skill involved, and they even worked out a better schedule. Sometimes people just need to see it's not just noise.

diana_kim6619d ago

That "noisy hobby" line would really bug me too. Do you think your neighbor sees ANY of the finished work you make, or does he just hear the banging from his yard? Maybe he has no clue what's actually happening in there.

faith_shah8820d ago

That comment would get under my skin too. Maybe try talking to your neighbor about your work schedule, see if there are specific quiet hours they really need. Soundproofing the garage door with some heavy moving blankets can take the edge off the noise without a big cost. It's a real craft, but being a good neighbor can help everyone see it that way instead of just hearing the hammer.