Lots of folks think 50 is a magic number- doe a search for Old Woodworking
Machines, and then down to Old Metalworking machines. All sorts of folks
rebuilding, using them
Anne
"CW" wrote in message
...

"Bill" wrote in message
...
At an estate sale, I ran across a collection of a few DOZEN 3/8" tool
bits mostly ground to various shapes, some unground, and quite a few
pieces of cylindrical stock (probably steel, too hard?).

Might this be worth collecting for use on a mini-lathe later? Browsing
at Amazon, it appears that the cutting bits go for less than I might have
guessed--but maybe I'm comparing apples and oranges. Bits like this
aren't too big for use on a mini-lathe, are they? I think they are
surely old (but no rust). Think they are worth chasing down? I will try
unless you talk me out of it! : )

Of course, I'm the same person who was (almost "out of his mind")
seriously considering buying a 50 year old metalworking lathe a few weeks
ago. After doing a little research, I now realize that would probably
have been a mistake--surely well-worn and "impossible" to get parts for.
A mini-lathe would probably serve me fine, with probably a lot less
headaches! There are some "one of a kind" parts I would like to craft
for a 19th-century style banjo.

Bill

Perfect size. If you get them at a good price, do it.