Making A Bolt Action Pen || Inheritance Machining [17:58]

(post is archived)

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A trade I wish I had more time to learn before I got this old.

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It's never too late to learn.

I'm a rank amateur machinist, but I just give it a go. Being a bit older probably helps out, I have more patience than I would have had as a young man. It's not a cheap hobby to get into though, but I'm more focusing on learning (even the basics) of the skills necessary to make anything I need should shit go sideways. I'm never going to be putting out awesome looking stuff, but I learn so that I can make tools to make tools to make tools to make stuff.

I don't have much gear yet though (just a lathe and some basic tooling), trying to tool up a bit while cheap tools of reasonable quality are still available. Good tools are very expensive, and shit tools can be even worse if they result in failed projects, but getting stuff that's sort of OK and working within my limits, I think I can make progress.

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One of things I’ve always wanted to do was build a line shaft shop using a hit and miss engine. Got the engine a few years back, but that’s as far as I got. I think it would be a helluva good item to have in a SHTF scenario. Lathes, mills, drills, saws, pumps, generators and lots of other useful machinery can be run off of them. And with very little fuel. A great deal of our country was built with them.

I have a little six inch Atlas lathe made for Sears Craftsman back in the late forties. It has served me well over the years for what it is. In the shop I work at they have a nice 80s ish JET engine lathe I run at times of need. Try’n to talk ‘em to buy’n a mill.

As you say, the tooling is what gets you. Lathes and mills can be had fairly cheap, but good tooling is gonna cost you an arm and a leg. With all my other interests it’s hard to come up with all I’d like to have.

Then there’s the knowledge base you have to acquire. Knowing the properties of metals, speeds that are best, which type of cutter and on and on it goes. All of which I find fascinating. Love all the machine work vids on jewtube.

I’m a bit of a tool nut. Started a policy of buy’n a tool of the day, tool of the week, tool of the month and tool of the year in my twenties. I love making shit and being able to make shit.

I’m a patient fellow and some would say an anal motherfukr. Good enough is hard for me to do. My grandfather told me when I was but a boy that if I was going to be a maker of things then make things that you’d be proud to hand over to the greatest creator of all, God.

Last fall I got struck down with severe onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Besides the 24/7 nonstop pain the thing that hurts me the most is not being able to do all the things I’ve learned over the years. It’s a joy I’ve lost that breaks my heart more than anything. It’s one fuk’d up disease I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

But, you’re exactly right, it’s never too late to learn! Learning is one of the greatest aspects of life. Seems as though you would agree and I wish you much joy in those regards! Lol, one thing I’ve learned since this disease, good enough can be good enough. That bein’ one of the hardest lessons I’ve ever learned. Not sure I’m there yet, but I’m study’n up on it real good wether or not I like it. ; )

Thanks for reply’n brother!

One of things I’ve always wanted to do was build a line shaft shop using a hit and miss engine. Got the engine a few years back, but that’s as far as I got. I think it would be a helluva good item to have in a SHTF scenario. Lathes, mills, drills, saws, pumps, generators and lots of other useful machinery can be run off of them. And with very little fuel. A great deal of our country was built with them. I have a little six inch Atlas lathe made for Sears Craftsman back in the late forties. It has served me well over the years for what it is. In the shop I work at they have a nice 80s ish JET engine lathe I run at times of need. Try’n to talk ‘em to buy’n a mill. As you say, the tooling is what gets you. Lathes and mills can be had fairly cheap, but good tooling is gonna cost you an arm and a leg. With all my other interests it’s hard to come up with all I’d like to have. Then there’s the knowledge base you have to acquire. Knowing the properties of metals, speeds that are best, which type of cutter and on and on it goes. All of which I find fascinating. Love all the machine work vids on jewtube. I’m a bit of a tool nut. Started a policy of buy’n a tool of the day, tool of the week, tool of the month and tool of the year in my twenties. I love making shit and being able to make shit. I’m a patient fellow and some would say an anal motherfukr. Good enough is hard for me to do. My grandfather told me when I was but a boy that if I was going to be a maker of things then make things that you’d be proud to hand over to the greatest creator of all, God. Last fall I got struck down with severe onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Besides the 24/7 nonstop pain the thing that hurts me the most is not being able to do all the things I’ve learned over the years. It’s a joy I’ve lost that breaks my heart more than anything. It’s one fuk’d up disease I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. But, you’re exactly right, it’s never too late to learn! Learning is one of the greatest aspects of life. Seems as though you would agree and I wish you much joy in those regards! Lol, one thing I’ve learned since this disease, good enough can be good enough. That bein’ one of the hardest lessons I’ve ever learned. Not sure I’m there yet, but I’m study’n up on it real good wether or not I like it. ; ) Thanks for reply’n brother!

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