The coding part is going slow, but every day a little more makes sense. So I made the leap and got a C++ compiler and tried to learn the language. That's where my enthusiasm waned.
That was an important clue. There are some people who like programming languages for their own sake. They become computer scientists, compiler/language designers, etc.
What motivates you is using the language as a tool to make something practical happen. So what would worik better for you than trying to master most/all of C++ up front is to do what others have already suggested: build increasingly-complex projects based on the available examples, and master small pieces of C++ as you need them. And rid yourself of any perceived need to master all of it: it's a big, complex language, and there are many parts you'll never use (unless, of course, you discover that you actually want to be a computer geek). Think of it as like your pickup truck: the fact that it's possible to trick it out as a Baja racer or a tow vehicle for a 32-foot RV doesn't mean you need to learn how to do so if all you want to do is commute to work and haul your metalworking projects.