Is the HAMB becoming more professional?

I'm just curious about this: It seems to me that the level of skill, knowledge, and equipment has gone up over the past couple of years that I've been on the HAMB. Is it because there are more pros on the HAMB now, or because the "average" HAMBer is becoming increasingly skilled and well-equipped. Is the HAMB more professional, or are HAMBers more professional? What do you think?

 

I'd venture to say: add in PC (political correctness) and more professional people will join...especially since most people don't get yelled at by anyone any more if they don't happen to do an intro...used to be, several years ago, your **** got handed to you ...and a lot of people were run off by all the negativity...

The HAMB has grown up...what is it now -12 years old...???

R-

 

I think it is mostly that we all can inspire the rest. Providing good ideas, demonstrations, techinical information, motivation, examples, or whatever. The end result is that it lifts the quality for all of us.

 

Most of the help that comes from all areas of car building is from the everyday people not the professionals. I think the core group (note.. not necessarily the older ones) are the ones that are helping the new and young alike.
I would love to see actual step by step help from people like Jesse James and others. In fact, my opinion of these talented indviduals would increase tremendously.

 

I think as the community grows and people come around here to get advise, the skill level naturally increases. I've been on here for about a year and knew very little about the complete engine/******/wiring project that I was about to undertake. I still don't know **** compared to most around here, but I have been able to share some of my experiences and offer tips to those who are just getting involved.

I have also noticed a lot less of the snarky responses in the last few months or so...unless someone starts a thread about whether something is considered traditional or not.

I am a lot better off having joined this community and can hopefully bring some others into the fold along the way.

 

I think the HAMB has also challenged some guys to dare the "Top Chop" or lowering job by showing that you don't have to be a famous car builder to build a great car. Like it or not guys, you set a good example.

Flatman

 

I think the "average" Hamber is stepping up his game......sure, there are a few "pros" here, but rarely do they post a tech.....and that's fine with me, especially when there are "regular" guys like Zach Suhr posting KILLER ****.......

 

When I first came on here, I was just another newbie that didn't know his *** from his elbow. Not to say I'm a so-called "builder" now, but I've become proficient in paint and bodywork and try to lend a hand in those areas to others in need. I have definitely stepped up my skills due to things I've learned on here and in the real world. I'm sure there a bunch of others on here with close to the same story.

I like the direction we have turned in, even though there are still some jokesters and fakers on here.

 

8 years ago or so(when I stumbled on this place) there were lots of us that had yet to build an early rod from scratch.........many guys had never chopped a top.............we were car guys(and gals) but were coming into our own. I could paint a car when I was 14 but didnt build a frame until I was 30. I have learned here and from mentors I have met in the last 8 years. Mostly I learned how to set high goals and acheive them.

 

Reading the threads gives me the confidence to take on a project that I might not have tried before. Plus it keeps me motivated during cold winter nights.

 

It does seem like this place is a little more friendly than it was when I first got on here about 1.5 years ago, but some of those threads where people used to jump all over some new goofball for making some ignorant statements were pretty funny though.

I never figured out why some people get all bent out of shape if some new guy asks a question that's already been answered. Instead of answering it, they'll write an essay on why you should search for the answer. I don't mind answering a new guy's question at all. I just like hanging out with a bunch of car guys -- new guys, old guys, who cares. Sometimes I can help somebody out, and sometimes I can learn something, and sometimes I just get a good laugh or see somebody's cool new cars or new gadgets they made. It would be pretty boring if this place was only to be used as a dictionary to look up old stuff in the search feature.

 

This is a natural progression.When you are 18, you have the p***ion, but not the skill in most cases. As you gain experience, you build better cars, and want the next one to be better yet. You keep this up for 40 years, taking pride in your craft, and some 18 year old will call you a Street Rodder/gold chainer, and tell you how it was done back in the day.

 

I miss Germ.

 

I'm thinking that every generation has stepped up the quality and the
equipment used be they professionals or homebuilders. The exchange
of information and ideas that is the Hamb has just leveled the
playing field more.

 

I'm not afraid of the tough love, it sets standards higher. Although I'm not building what I want yet, I've noticed the quality of work on what I am doing has risen since really delving into the HAMB, and I appreciate that.

 

I think the overall HAMB community is growing . . . and getting better by the week. I lurked for awhile before I started to get active (was just too busy with other ****). I've met some really cool people on the HAMB, learned a bunch . . . try to help others with what I've learned, etc.. Also, when you go to a few HAMB functions, you get to ***ociate faces with names/handles - which is always cool. I think as long as we continue to "give" more than we "get" . . . or at least have that at***ude . . . then the HAMB will be a place I want to put time into.

 

Personally, the HAMB has helped me come to grips with the fact that I am not Marcel Delay or Bo Jones or any one of a number of craftsmen I respect, but I can build it my way. It doesn't have to be perfect (Street Rod mentality) but it does need to be the best work I can do. Primarily because that's important to me. I learn something new here everyday, much of it useful.Ha!
Yes, I think it is more professional, but new blood and enthusiasm is still welcome and needed.

 

I joined in november and I have to say in that short time the tech stuff that I have learned and used has made me a better painter and fabricater. I am on here everday soaking up information like a sponge. I see the craftsmanship on the cars on here and it inspires me to get better. I just read a post about a guy who fabricated his own fuel block. Thats some cool stuff. So thanks for all of the tech threads they are apreciated.

 

The real challenge for the HAMB and for the folks that are driving this community (read: builders) is to keep getting better while not losing sight on the people that will come after them. It's important to teach.[/quote]


Ryan just has a way of saying things!!!! Can I say he hit it right on the head!!! Ryan,,,, Thanks! ETHER

 

I think I'm a perfect example of growing up here on the HAMB.I go back and look at my few months posting,and its embar***ing.No one wants to here smart*** comments from some punk who thinks he's super funny.I'm glad those days are over,now I try to either ask or answer appropriate questions with a reduced sense of humor.It runs so much smoother that way.

 

the bar keeps getting raised..

 

I know, it hurts alot more now when I fall outta the bar stool. They gotta stop raising the bar.

 

I miss Chuck and Germ...

 

Before finding this site, I thought "rat rods" were the "the ****". But thanks to all of the people here I learned that there is so much more history and cl*** to this lifetyle than slap it together and go. I may not go 100% traditional, but it will be far from "rat". Thank You to the Teachers!

 

Well said! I agree 100% Its what we do for those that follow that is important. Thanks

 

Anytime a group of people with a common goal unite, the enviroment improves with age.
This is a very basic premise of any society.
Just be aware that the time will come when we have some growing pains.... i.e. "too big" for some. That also is normal.

Anyway, yes, speaking for right now, in the year I've been here I've seen more professionalism and less hateful ****. Thats a good thing. My cars reflect that. I learn and share more knowledge here than I could in person.

 

Just seeing the rods completed in the last year has made me rethink and redo things on my roadster, seems like each one has kicked the level up another notch, not to mention the tech posts. Before, I was content in my world with my little 110v flux core mig, but in the last couple of years i've upgraded everything in my shop, learned how to tig, etc to try to even get close to the level of the skills i've seen on here.

The HAMB isnt a luxury for me, its a necessity.

 

My skill keep improving in part to what I read on the HAMB and Metalmeet.
Reading and following what people have posted here is a lot eazier than reading a professionals book or vidio. Post here are written mostly by people that are a few bars higher than my skills and sometimes with no better tools that what I own.
thanks all for your inspiration.

Jim H

 

Still the FNG on the site, but I use the h.a.m.b. on a daily basis for inspiration and ideas (thanks, by the way). I've learned what's acceptable and what's not. But I've always been one to 'bend' the rules a little, or alot. My motivation every day is to see how I can fab something different, add that little touch to it and make it unique. With luck, my customer digs it as well as other ratrodders. Haha, just testing to see if you were paying attention! Besides, if we as hotrodders didn't try new things or better ourselves, we'd all be driving factory ****, new or old...