开云体育

This is a great opportunity to express an opinion that has been
building up ... (subject to other's differing opinion, of course).

Working on the mini-lathe (even metal working) is not a hobby! How's
that? What I find is that the people that seem most satisified with
the mini-lathe (mill too for that matter) are people that have a hobby
already and see the mini-lathe as a tool to fulfill that hobby.
People that buy the lathe and than say, "What can I do with it?", will
be unfilled until they get another hobby.

I got the mini-lathe and micro-mill to make woodworking tools and
woodworking accessories (knobs & pulls, for example). Woodworking is
my hobby. But brass with the wood sure adds to the woodworking
project.

I bet just about everyone of you out there have another hobby that the
mini-lathe is used to enhance. Let's hear what they are!

Here's what worked for me. I used the lathe first to make accessories
for the lathe. That way I learned how it worked. I started learning
how to use a file. I spent a lot of time learning how to use a tap
and die (not with the lathe). Than I started reviewing a lot of
pictures of antique hand tools and picking out what I could make with
emphasis on tools that I could use first and nice second.

I'd say if you want to make gifts, start looking at gifts, in
catalogues, stores, kitchen stores, etc. and see what you can make.

Another idea, get some metal. Nothing like some brass bar stock
(expensive), some drill rod in a variety of sizes, and some brass
round stock in a variety of diameters to give you some ideas. Those
ideas disappear quickly when you don't have materials.

Also, consider, if you like woodworking, to add some brass to small
pieces of expensive wood to make a project.

Good luck!