The "what next?" conundrum.

[C-Bag]

Bragging. No doubt.

Life is good

You certainly don't lack things to do.

As a guy who can look in any direction in my shop and see a project waiting, I've learned to triage. I would get the 612 up as it sounds like it needs the least. And often you need a lathe to fix another lathe. Or another machine tool for that matter. I had lists for a while and that REALLY helped me get real about what needs to be done and how much time I actually had to devote to it. I'm also trying to maintain a small manufacturing biz so I don't have the extended time you probably have to devote to a project.

 

[rabler]

You certainly don't lack things to do.

As a guy who can look in any direction in my shop and see a project waiting, I've learned to triage. I would get the 612 up as it sounds like it needs the least. And often you need a lathe to fix another lathe. Or another machine tool for that matter. I had lists for a while and that REALLY helped me get real about what needs to be done and how much time I actually had to devote to it. I'm also trying to maintain a small manufacturing biz so I don't have the extended time you probably have to devote to a project.

To get more complicated, I have "morning" projects and "evening" projects. The 612 is in the garage by the barns, about a 1/4 mile away from the house. I usually head over to the barns in the morning with my wife, and we work together for a while on the barn chores, then she finishes up while I work in the shop over there. The surface grinder is also over there as it needs three phase. Evenings are back in the real workshop, by the house. Afternoons are for home remodeling, or various chores that involve running around town.

 

[C-Bag]

To get more complicated, I have "morning" projects and "evening" projects. The 612 is in the garage by the barns, about a 1/4 mile away from the house. I usually head over to the barns in the morning with my wife, and we work together for a while on the barn chores, then she finishes up while I work in the shop over there. The surface grinder is also over there as it needs three phase. Evenings are back in the real workshop, by the house. Afternoons are for home remodeling, or various chores that involve running around town.

way more ambitious than me. positively hyper. Me, I start off slow and taper off from there.

 

[Nutfarmer]

I would second the 16 feet in hieght

 

[rabler]

Definitely need to keep at least one functional lathe. So getting the 612 fully running makes sense.

 

[rabler]

way more ambitious than me. positively hyper. Me, I start off slow and taper off from there.

I spend a lot of time looking at things pondering, thinking about how to proceed, or just what to do next. I think this whole post is an example of that. I count that as critical work on a project.

 

[C-Bag]

I spend a lot of time looking at things pondering, thinking about how to proceed, or just what to do next. I think this whole post is an example of that. I count that as critical work on a project.

That is the most critical time spent on any project for me. For the first time in my life I have the tools, the place and the time. Up until the last 10yrs things were scattered and that totally messed up things. Something I really needed to do I didn’t have my tools there would derail that project and I end up doing a lesser needed job. Not having the right tools where the work is kills me. Some folks it doesn’t seem to bother. My shop is my garage and there’s a door out of our bedroom right into it. That’s about as far as I want to be from the work.

We’ve done a LOT of thinking/planning about building another shop in the backyard and I always end up seeing it as a diversion of energy from the work at hand. But that’s just me seeing my energy as a finite resource.

 

[rabler]

We’ve done a LOT of thinking/planning about building another shop in the backyard and I always end up seeing it as a diversion of energy from the work at hand. But that’s just me seeing my energy as a finite resource.

Yep. About the time I hit 50, I realized that my energy was going to become an even more scarce resource as time marched. One of the big reasons I'm building a new shop now is for that reason. The current shop has only 8' ceilings, the only real limitation that imposes is that it using any overhead lifting equipment is challenging. I want a light duty bridge crane to make moving larger projects easy, so that I can continue to work without risking my back. I also dislike having he machining equipment split across two buildings. Obviously a third build is the solution.

 

[C-Bag]

Everybody has a sweet spot that balances all the factors. Spouses factor hugely as by the reactions of friends who’ve been through few would put up with the direct access I have. My ultimate would be an old warehouse with a loft that we could live in and a good sized shop. Tom Lipton has my dream setup. Although I’d not want to be in a big urban area. I prefer more rural close to a decent size town. My wife would love it too as she’s a very practical gal. As long as I’m not tracking in stuff and make the living area a mess she’s good.

I would love to have an overhead system but that’s a want more than a need. All my machines are not industrial size/weight, more the heavy benchtop. And so far I would rather have more smaller tools/machines as they fit my work. It’s a cascade, bigger tools, bigger shop.

 

[rabler]

I've decided the 612 is indeed the project to work on.
First step was to make a new chuck key. A 6" one wasn't long enough to clear the headstock. 10" is long enough, and good handle length for leverage. Got that done yesterday.
Current step to fab up a new drive crank for the tailstock, as pushing that thing around isn't an option. I'll need to find a gear that matches the 20*PA, 2.5 TPI carriage rack. I'd like to try to cut gears but that is a pretty big tooth to start with.
Last step will be tackling the cross slide, that is as least functional for now, just challenging.