Hello All

[Johnny Farnen]

I'm Johnny. I play tinkerer, artist, industrial maintenance man, biologist....well you get the picture.

Recently, I was accepted into a national disabled veterans fly rod competition. I state now, I don't fish, have no plans to fish, and have never built a rod.

Anyway, after reviewing the winners for the last five years, I heard myself muttering "I can do better."

So, doing the only logical thing, I took measurements off of the standard cork handle in the fly kit and then let my pugs play with it.

I spent quite a bit of time researching a mini lathe. Then I remembered I'm broke. Thanks to this site, as I write this, behind me on the workbench is a functional, 0-850 rpm, 12-36 inch wood turning lathe.It cost me nothing but time, being made from the piles of junk and scraps laying around my garage and shed.

So many great project ideas on here and so little build time!

thanks for all the ideas!

[Jon]

Hi Johnny - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

The mini lathe sounds like it was fun to build! Post some pics if you have any, I'll bet people would like to take a look. Sounds like the other veterans are in for a surprise!

[kbalch]

Hi Johnny,

Welcome!

What a great project! To have built a lathe from junk, for free…

What's next on your tool building list?

Ken

[Johnny Farnen]

Hi Johnny - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

The mini lathe sounds like it was fun to build! Post some pics if you have any, I'll bet people would like to take a look. Sounds like the other veterans are in for a surprise!

As requested! Posted in a separate thread!

[Johnny Farnen]

It is a long list. Beyond tooling for the lathe and a few different chucks and tool holders, I am scavenging around for some parts to upgrade it a bit in the future.

I'm repairing an arc welder I got off craigslist for the price of "haul it away". That will likely lead to an engine stand for the VeeDub. There is a 1941cc build in the future for that 58.

Next up is a CNC router/engraver/cutter. I have been stock pilling stepping motors, synchros and servos and other parts for years. With the advent of these 20 dollar prototyping boards I plan on an xy with a plunge, Likely set up to run my dremel tool and dremel router, unless I come across a suitable motor. I need to do some short production runs for my MFA and I just don't have time to wait at the local laser cutting labs around town and I am far too cheap to pay someone to do it for me.

I just got a bunch of 12mil PVC tubing from my son's company, so I am considering a 12 volt solar Archimedes pump for my pond/waterfall complex out back.