First a little bit of background to this story, which also explains why I haven't posted much on this forum.
Almost 4 years ago, my then wife, after us jointly doing quite well from real estate, lost the plot and got involved in what turned out to be a somewhat dodgy real estate scheme. (think wraps, rent to own, ** Buy Houses etc promoted, here in Australia, by a certain individual who spruik's about how much money you can earn with his system) Un beknown to me (at that point), she almost bankrupted us, and then left me and the kids for an unemployed bloke who had the same “mindset” as her. As we had been married for 20 years and I trusted her I didn't become aware of the true state of our finances until it was too late. As a result she caused me to lose almost everything I'd worked for for 30 years.
I did manage to keep most of my equipment and tools though for the last 4 years I haven't been able to use the lathe or the mill as I have been renting.
As it’s turned out, in the long run, (not counting the financial ruin & the emotional turmoil) my ex did me a favour by leaving as I have since reconnected with someone I was keen on 30 years ago (when we were both young and stupid) and we have subsequently gotten married. I didn't realise married life could be this good.
My new wife is, as our American friends say, a keeper. She is actually very keen to see the lathe and mill running again, In fact she wants to learn how to use them. How good is that?
We have spent the last 6 months or so getting rid of stuff to combine 2 households into one. What a process. Luckily for me one of my boys and his girl moved into a unit (apartment) about the same time so I was able to give them a lot of surplus furniture.
Anyway a few weekends ago I had reached the point where I was able to move the lathe from the garage under the house up the back yard to the shed that is going to be my workshop. This is not a large shed (6m X 3.5m) but I'm grateful for even that.
The house is on a hill with the backyard being the high side. The shed runs across the block with a 1200mm wide door in the end which makes it interesting to get gear into.
I had already moved the stand for the lathe to the back shed so it was just a case of moving the lathe. I made a couple of flat top trolleys with casters on them and bolted one under each end of the lathe. Lifted the lathe with the engine crane and put it in the trailer which I then backed up the yard to the back shed. I then blocked the wheels of the trailer and jacked the front of it up off the car and slowly winched the lathe out onto a bit of flooring. Turning the lathe through 90 deg as it came out of the trailer. Then through the door and using the engine crane again up onto the stand. I still have to level it and give it a good clean and oil but with a couple of hours work it will be running again. Yes!!!!!!
Still have to move the mill to the back shed as well but as there is no 3 phase power here and at the moment the finances don't run to a phase converter, there is no rush to get it out of the garage. Just have to keep it well oiled up.
I'm still sorting through stuff and culling. Probably gotten rid of stuff I will regret later but there's only so much you can store in a small place.
regards
bollie7
Almost 4 years ago, my then wife, after us jointly doing quite well from real estate, lost the plot and got involved in what turned out to be a somewhat dodgy real estate scheme. (think wraps, rent to own, ** Buy Houses etc promoted, here in Australia, by a certain individual who spruik's about how much money you can earn with his system) Un beknown to me (at that point), she almost bankrupted us, and then left me and the kids for an unemployed bloke who had the same “mindset” as her. As we had been married for 20 years and I trusted her I didn't become aware of the true state of our finances until it was too late. As a result she caused me to lose almost everything I'd worked for for 30 years.
I did manage to keep most of my equipment and tools though for the last 4 years I haven't been able to use the lathe or the mill as I have been renting.
As it’s turned out, in the long run, (not counting the financial ruin & the emotional turmoil) my ex did me a favour by leaving as I have since reconnected with someone I was keen on 30 years ago (when we were both young and stupid) and we have subsequently gotten married. I didn't realise married life could be this good.
My new wife is, as our American friends say, a keeper. She is actually very keen to see the lathe and mill running again, In fact she wants to learn how to use them. How good is that?
We have spent the last 6 months or so getting rid of stuff to combine 2 households into one. What a process. Luckily for me one of my boys and his girl moved into a unit (apartment) about the same time so I was able to give them a lot of surplus furniture.
Anyway a few weekends ago I had reached the point where I was able to move the lathe from the garage under the house up the back yard to the shed that is going to be my workshop. This is not a large shed (6m X 3.5m) but I'm grateful for even that.
The house is on a hill with the backyard being the high side. The shed runs across the block with a 1200mm wide door in the end which makes it interesting to get gear into.
I had already moved the stand for the lathe to the back shed so it was just a case of moving the lathe. I made a couple of flat top trolleys with casters on them and bolted one under each end of the lathe. Lifted the lathe with the engine crane and put it in the trailer which I then backed up the yard to the back shed. I then blocked the wheels of the trailer and jacked the front of it up off the car and slowly winched the lathe out onto a bit of flooring. Turning the lathe through 90 deg as it came out of the trailer. Then through the door and using the engine crane again up onto the stand. I still have to level it and give it a good clean and oil but with a couple of hours work it will be running again. Yes!!!!!!
Still have to move the mill to the back shed as well but as there is no 3 phase power here and at the moment the finances don't run to a phase converter, there is no rush to get it out of the garage. Just have to keep it well oiled up.
I'm still sorting through stuff and culling. Probably gotten rid of stuff I will regret later but there's only so much you can store in a small place.
regards
bollie7
... Who is also happy for me to have them!