On 9 Feb 2005 08:40:23 -0800, "John" wrote:

Eric:

Never meant to imply that you should buy one of those machines, just
that they are interesting. I suspect that learning how to use one to
its full capabilities would require years. As with the old ornamental
turning lathes - which they of course are very much like.

I've seen those machines - or ones very similar - for sale by Gold for
quite a while. So, they either have a source for many of these
machines, or the ones they offer are the same ones they've had for a
very long time. I suspect the latter.

John Martin

Greetings John,
I know you were just showing me some examples. But I'd sure like to
learn how to use one of those machines. The patterns could be
generated with CNC equipment but the turning machines are so elegant.
And the work that can be done with one of them! I'm thinking about
asking a certain customer if his customers might be interested in
having some custom engine turned pieces. He works on fancy homes. He
does the hardware and locks. Hinges and that kind of thing. Recently I
made 2 runs of 1000 each hinge finials for him. 800 alone went into
one home. The doors were tall, 8 feet or higher, and each door had 4
hinges using two finials per hinge. That comes out to 100 doors in one
house. The extra 200 finials are for his stock and for extras to be
left at the house as replacements. The people who own these homes
spend money like water on some stuff. It wouldn't take too many jobs
to pay the 4 grand for the one machine. I wonder what the learning
curve is?
Cheers,
Eric