44 replies to this topic

[ilzot]

Ok, now, I thought about it and I think that this is in the right forum. This could go in Modifications as it's about modification materials, but isn't a real mod. I'll just put it here

Well, a topic about paper speedloaders began to get off-topic when I started talking about not having access to modding materials. I'm 13 right now, so I can't really hop in a car and drive down to Ace's and grab what I need. I'm under control from my parents. Does anyone have a clue on how I should bring up going to Lowes or whatevers to buy some modding materials? I mean, my dad would be pissed if he had to lug home several 15' pieces of CPVC or whatever home.... How should I go about asking them to go buy some piping, adhesives, FBR, couplers, etc?

[Nerfer327]

You ever see those big store cutters? That's why they have them. Get The Rod, ask a worker to cut it down and lug it home.

The rest, your on your own.

[ilzot]

Didn't know about them Sorry, I don't go to hardware stores that horribly much.

[m14]

I don't know how to help you on the piping front. Just ask your parents if you can go it X hardware store(X=the closest hardware store to you) to look for something. Tell your parents that you are working on a project, and need some things from the hardware store. I know where you are coming from, since I am only 14. Your parents should understand that you are working on a hobby. Nerf is an acceptable hobby to parents, since it isn't illegal(yet). Just remember to follow all your parents' rules about giving away personal info i.e name, address, phone number ect. Also tell them first before you send away money for a trade or whatever, just so they know what is going on. Keeping your parents informed is always a good thing(unless what you are doing is illegal).

[nerfman600]

Ask you parents if you can go to the hardware store closest so you can buy some tools needed for a mod your doing to make your guns shoot farther.

[twenty4]

Just hand them a list of things you need. Then when they get back give them the money you ow them.

[analogkid]

Consider first if you have a good place to work and store all that stuff. The best place is somewhere where your parents don't have to look at it. Garages are good for storage, but unless you have a workbench they're not so good for working. If you set up an old table or desk in the basement that your parents don't care about anymore or something like that, its much better. The bottom line is make sure that if/when you get the stuff, its not lying around everywhere and you're not working on your kitchen table.

Once to that point, you can just ask them. If they give you a hard time, just tell them that you won't make a mess that they have to clean up, and you won't ruin the furniture. Tell them you have made space, and that you doing whatever you're doing won't be a burden on them. Also, I know that this is not as practical now because its winter, but if you can walk or ride your bike to a hardware store, thats good too. I have a Tru-Value about 0.5 miles away from my house and a Lowes about 1 mile away. If you just tell them where you're going and why, you can go anytime, independent of whether or not your parent wants to drive. This way, your parents can't say anything about wasting fuel or time.

If all of that is still not enough, play off the educational benefits of modification. After a while, you end up learning a lot about basic physics, properties of materials, proper tool usage, etc. Its great if you are interested in engineering.

Edited by analogkid, 31 January 2009 - 01:17 PM.

[Quilan Fett]

Ride your bike.

[Merzlin]

Hell, I do all my machine work on my kitchen table! There's no problem working anywhere you want where it would be the following: Safe, Ventilated area, and an area where you feel comfortable. Those are the main factors..For YOU. Now for your parents, its basically the same thing, but they rule over your choice. So just put up a couple suggestions on where you are willing to work. Thats step 1.

Step 2 consists of easing your self into modding. Don't go out on your first mod and know nothing about it and try to get a perfect doomsayer. It's just not going to happen (And if it does on your first mod, and it's perfect, please tell me so.). You're parents will more that likely ease on in with you....Slowly.

Step 3 should be the easiest task, getting you're materials. Just ask your parents if you can go to a hardware store for some stuff...It really shouldn't be that hard. Then, you should be good to go.

[Nerf Bros]

if i was you i would just tell your parents about nerf and what u do to the guns and such... they wont understand anything you are talking but they at least will be a bit more open minded to the idea.

-nerfbros

[slowguitarman]

I can't believe so many people have trouble like this with their parents. When I started building things that required stuff from Lowe's, ACE or whatever, I said, "Hey, mom, when you run into town, I wanna go with you to get stuff to build a potato gun/lightsaber/light-up shoes/whatever I was building at the time." If I needed it more quickly, I would ask if she would drive me into town. Don't beat around the bush. Just tell them exactly what you are doing. I don't know about other people's parents, but my family has always been poor, and making something has always trumped buying something. If a mod is going to be kind of expensive and they have a problem with it, show them how much it would cost to buy it instead of build it, and they should be understanding about it.

[Draconis]

Most fathers will be happy to help with a project from the hardware store. Unless they are douchebags, and then, well... You're on your own. CPVC and FBR are very easy to deal with, though. Just cut the pipe at the store, in to manageable sizes, say 2-2.5' each. you should be able to seal with those sticking out of your backpack quite easily. Shoot... You could just tape them to your bike frame.

[analogkid]

Hell, I do all my machine work on my kitchen table! There's no problem working anywhere you want where it would be the following: Safe, Ventilated area, and an area where you feel comfortable.

Absolutely. I just wanted to get the point across that your parents aren't going to be pleased if you do this:

to that beautiful solid oak table your parents just bought for the dining room. Thats a picture of my worktable.

you should be able to seal with those sticking out of your backpack quite easily. Shoot... You could just tape them to your bike frame.

Or ride with one hand on the handlebars, and one hand holding the 10' pipe, with the Lowes bag dangling from your handlebars. Better yet, do what Draconis said, I've done this, its no fun.

[slowguitarman]

You can't just assume that everyone can ride a bike to where they need to go. When I was growing up, the closest ACE was about 10 miles away, and the Lowe's was 35 miles away. I think parents would be less willing to let you ride your bike that far rather than take you.

[ilzot]

That's my situation. I live about 10 minutes from the nearest Lowes, and that's in car. That could take me almost an hour on bike, and I have to ride along a major highway. I also don't live in the safest place, so they don't have a lot of trust that I'll come back unscathed.

Also, I need a dremel. How can I convince them to let me buy one, when I've heard horror stories about the disks almost exploding....

I also already have a nice space set up, as long as I can lug out a box or two. It's in a cedar closet that's almost unused, but getting an outlet there will be hard, and it's only about 6ft x 6ft.

Edited by ilzot, 31 January 2009 - 01:46 PM.

[slowguitarman]

All power tools have horror stories behind them. If your parents have a problem with you using a dremel alone, start out modding somewhere with them nearby. Just make sure you're careful, and take your time when using it.

[ilzot]

Ok. I dunno about when, but sometimes soon, I'll bring it up. Right now, I have a broken FireFly (dunno why it broke.) and alot of munies. So I might go on a shopping spree.

[Lynx]

I can walk to my local ACE and get rides (easily) to my local Lowes and Home Depot.

[twenty4]

Can someone tell me how to make a new post?

[ilzot]

#1. Wayyyyyy. Off topic.

#2. You just did.

Thanks for all the advice JSB. I'll definatly use some It isn't a battle, as I've asked only a few times.

[Glint]

THis isn't a really big problem for me, but a problem nontheless. When I first started modding guns I didn't tell my parents what I was doing, I hid up in my room and tried to use all the stuff I had up there (practically nothing). Finally I broke down adn told my dad what i was doing. Turns out my dad was extremely happy to help. He told me one of the things he failed on as a father was teacher his sons how to work with tools and work with their hands (which I love doing anyways).

That wasn't even that long ago. If you don't have parents like mine, then slowly ease them into the idea. Sit down with them and have a serious talk and make sure you bring facts to the table. Letting them see that you've actually done background research and know what you're talking about and doing is a huge factor. Don't start getting angry at them, and don't just throw it casually int ehir faces. Make sure they know you're serious about what you're talking about and know a lot about it already.

Although I don't have any good hardware stores anywhere near me, I go out with my dad when i can and pick up things I need. And you may be suprised at how much your parents know that you didn't know they knew. Heck, my dad helps me out as much as he can when I need it!

Edited by Glint, 31 January 2009 - 03:48 PM.

[ilzot]

Nice advice man. Sometime this weekend I might sit them down and have a chat about it.

[boom]

I'm saying this from experiance if you have a grampa ask him my grampa loves hardware stores.And hope yours does to.

[Secret Assassin]

You bike to the hardware stores unless your incapable of physical activity.

[CrazyIvan VI]

How about you just open your damn mouth and ask? They say no, then deal with it. We don't know your parents, we don't know you, how are we going to be able to tell you how to ask them to take you? It's pretty damn simple.

"Hey mom/dad, can you take me up to the hardware store this weekend? I'd like to get some stuff to modify my nerf guns."


End of story.