retired and playing

**David Hair** · Nov 16, 2015, 04:08 AM

The title just about says it all. I had always wanted a metal shop and after retiring I've started turning a one car garage into a small shop. On a limited income I'm buying used machines and repairing them and building my own.

**Jon** · Nov 16, 2015, 11:55 AM

Hi David - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

How is the shop coming along? Any specific homemade tool builds planned?

**kbalch** · Nov 16, 2015, 03:02 PM

Hi David,

Welcome!

Sounds like a great series of projects. Let's see some pics of your progress on the shop…

What's next on your build list?

Ken

**David Hair** · Nov 16, 2015, 06:15 PM

At the present I have a Craftsman 12 x 36 lathe and a Harbor freight 981 mill/drill. I am working on a repair to the lathe QCGB. I'm having to make some new compound gears. I bought the cheapest new Boston 16T and 32T gears I could find on ebay to make the compound gears with. I just didn't want to buy somebody's old gears from a used machine. I hate to see the sellers that buy machines just to tear them apart and sell parts. Besides this way I have new gears and the satisfaction of knowing I made them.

Pic's of the shop are a little ways off. There is now way I'd show the mess that's in there now.

D. Hair

**David Hair** · Nov 16, 2015, 07:08 PM

The first tool I will build outright will be a tool/mill grinder. I've looked at all the different models out there and trying to design a simple grinder that will do the touch sharpening of mills and shaping the tool bits I want for my lathe. I think the direction I will be going is a somewhat modified warren style.

D.Hair