In ,
NoNameAtAll typed:
Way back in middle school the lathe was one of my favorite tools in
shop class. I'd love to own one, but I'm having a difficult time
convncing my wife that I need it. We just made candle holders in shop
class, and while I'm sure it's great for things like table legs,
lamps, and baseball bats I have to concede that I really can't think
of any practical uses for it since I don't have any need to make any
of those things. Actually making a homemade baseball bat would be
kind of neat but it's tough to justify buying a lathe just for that.
If you can help me convince my wife (and myself for that matter) of
the usefulness of a lathe I'll be eternally grateful.

Seems to me if you don't have a need to make things "round" (like lamps,
table legs, bowls, pens, etc), then maybe you really don't need a lathe. If
you're taking a class with access to a lathe, maybe that will have to
satisfy your desire to turn.