What made you become a Home Shop Machinist?

[randyjaco]

i got into machining for the same reason! i hate paying high prices for stuff i can make myself at cost. cant wait to see where it will lead

If you got into this endeavor looking to save money, you've made a big mistake and/or are just lying to yourself.

The equipment list is ENDLESS. Every time you think you've got just what you need, along comes a job that you need a new tool, different clamping, bigger machine, better measuring tool, or heck....it was just too good of a deal to pass it up. I am guilty on all counts!

Where will it lead? Simple. Drained fun money account, and a pile of equipment, tools and junk for which your heirs will cuss at your lost soul for having left them to dispose of and an EPA Superfund site to clean up.

At least, that's my goal.

I disagree since I retired I have been able to have the shop pay for itself. I do welding and machining for folks in the area. I have also had the opportunity to refurbish and sell some very nice American Iron through Craig's List. I am not getting rich but when it comes to shop equipment and materials there is plenty of money in the kitty to get pretty much what ever I want. The main thing is that it keeps me active and busy. So far, it has been a great retirement.

Randy

 

[cyrusb]

You bring up an interesting point, Is working for a wage still a hobby? Here in NY thats called a job. Any thoughts?

 

[Tony Wells]

If your hobby brings in enough to pay for itself, and you don't rely upon it for anything financially more than that, it's not a job, it's a well balanced hobby that has a continuously increasing asset value to boot. It is unique in that respect, only a few hobbies don't have a red-zone to operate in. Of course, machining for just fun isn't quite the same, and some do approach it from that angle. Others see that they can make a few gadgets, or perform a desired service for others and make a little money to "support" their hobby. Still not a job, because they can take or leave that part of it. They can pay for everything from their living budget, and be happy with that.

 

[randyjaco]

I would say it is not a job, because I don't have to do it. (I am really retired and am able to live on what my investments provide.) I only accept jobs that are interesting and not repetitive. The main thing is that I really enjoy what I am doing. Everything is for cash. If I don't have the cash, I don't buy. I thereby avoid the debt trap. When what I do stops being fun, I won't do it any more. I hope that that doesn't happen too soon 8^)

Randy

 

[cyrusb]

Well, Here's a dictionary definition of Hobby,"Something that you enjoy doing when you are not working" However, since the title of this thread is"What made you become a home shop machinist?"I would think making money is in the scope of that.

 

[rleete]

For me, it's simply a matter of convenience. I am a tinker. the kind of guy who will spend 3 hours taking apart, refurbishing and reassembling a $3 toy for my son. I always seemed to need a spacer, a washer, a bushing. So, I got the lathe to make them.

Then, it was a short step to get a mill. From there it was logical to make something more complicated, so it was on to model steam engines. I've started about a half dozen, an only finished a couple. I'd designed (or re-designed) at least a dozen more. To me, the hobby is the mechanisms; seeing how they work, and how the parts fit together.

 

[hermetic]

same story with me, time served elctrical engineer, been pulling stuff to peices (and putting some back together) since I could hold a screwdriver but the thing that got me into machines was my old metalwork teacher, Jim Wrigley at Driffield school in east Yorkshire. of course he was called "spearmint jim", what else! Great man, long gone now, taught me lathe work and sandcasting in aluminium, right there inside the school shop. H&S didnt exist in those days, and the "trusty" pupils helped him pour, clad in leather chaps and apron. there were no accidents. He also took us to Park Gate steelworks in Sheffield (now a shopping mall) where we looked into the tuyere of a blast furnace, watched men charge open hearth furnaces, and watched a pour of cast iron. Then on to the rolling mill and then Moore and Wrights in the afternoon to watch them make micrometers. I was hooked!
Phil.

 

[Rockytime]

Interesting! Hi Nelson. I signed up on this site at its beginning. However, I have not been on the computer for a long time. Time is just not available even though I am supposed to be retired. I first became interested in a lathe (Unimat 3) years ago, perhaps 40, due to my model railroading. Then, over 30 years ago, I became interested in clock repair which I still do. Ultimately I purchased and began producing the Keystone bushing tool and mainspring winder. Due to the high cost of outside machining I started purchasing machinery to make some of the parts myself. After a couple of years the project changed hands but I kept all the machinery and I began doing small machining for my enjoyment and to augment the clock repair. That has been quite a passion for me. In spite of being retired I work at a storefront clock shop doing trade work as an independent contractor full time and take care of my clients evenings and weekends. I have recently given up house calls and have pretty much stopped my home repair business. I would like to spend time doing my own projects. The pictures you posted were done on Sherline equipment and the wheel cutting on the barrel was done on David Lindow's gear cutting unit. BTW the link you posted is changed to:

www.grenzclockrepair.com

Kindesr Regards, Les

Hi Guys,

I got involved in machining as an adjunct to my addiction to antique clocks, specifically German spring-wound clocks. A lot of the parts are made from brass and are in very short supply, or have to be fabricated. You basically have to buy a "parts movement" to get replacement parts, which is expensive, or make them yourself. Gears are particularly hard to find. Many horologists have purchased small machines for gear-cutting, and have rigged up their own gear-cutting setups. One of the parts that you often find broken or damaged is the mainspring barrel with the large main gear on it. This is a much larger and heavier one-piece part that requires a lathe to turn, and a mill or other comparable setup and rotary table or indixing head to produce.

http://lesgrenz.homestead.com/horology.html

I wanted to be able to perform the same tasks and make my own barrel repairs: