Part of aging is to reminisce. Since no one is forcing you to read this, I won't worry about boring you with my rambling.
About age 14, in the early 1960's, my father bought a Shopsmith with the lathe attachment and tools. At that age I turned a pair of offering plates (dad was a preacher)and the top and main support for a pair of plant stands. Then in the 1980's, I worked to help my two boys turn some simple candlesticks they gave as Christmas presents. Years passed and I inherited the Shopsmith which was suffering from wear over the years. My younger son bought a historic house that needed a lot of work to restore and bring to livability in the 21st century. One thing he needed were 45 spindles for the grand staircase. With the bearing wobble on the Shopsmith, I went shopping for a lathe. I found an old AMT lathe on Craigslist for $100 with some gouges and variable speed by configuring up to 3 belts on 3 pulleys. Without a replicator, I made the 45 spindles on the AMT
Then after a few years of caring for a wife with dementia, I longed to get back in the shop with her in a care center. The Shopsmith and AMT found other homes and a Nova Galaxy found a place of honor in the shop. Soon my inherited radial arm saw was replaced by a band saw and I was into turning bowls from the free acacia, sumac, and mesquite that started finding its way into my shop.
Going from the AMT where every change in speed was a matter of changing belts to simply rotating a knob is like comparing driving a Model T to driving a Tesla. But as my shop tools have seen a massive upgrade, my physical condition has degraded. My left hand shakes a lot and my right hand shakes less, but still shakes. While I once was employed based on my computer skills, just typing this requires very frequent correction. Despite hours of practice with a bowl gouge, I can't get it to do what I want it to do. However, with a sharp carbide tool with a square shaft that my left hand holds to the tool rest and a right hand tucking the handle against my body, I can make what, to me appear to be bowls. So, this old guy welcomes the new tools that allow me to enjoy turning despite my deteriorating physical condition.
Here is the chart from the AMT lathe along with a couple of my recent creations out of mesquite.
About age 14, in the early 1960's, my father bought a Shopsmith with the lathe attachment and tools. At that age I turned a pair of offering plates (dad was a preacher)and the top and main support for a pair of plant stands. Then in the 1980's, I worked to help my two boys turn some simple candlesticks they gave as Christmas presents. Years passed and I inherited the Shopsmith which was suffering from wear over the years. My younger son bought a historic house that needed a lot of work to restore and bring to livability in the 21st century. One thing he needed were 45 spindles for the grand staircase. With the bearing wobble on the Shopsmith, I went shopping for a lathe. I found an old AMT lathe on Craigslist for $100 with some gouges and variable speed by configuring up to 3 belts on 3 pulleys. Without a replicator, I made the 45 spindles on the AMT
Then after a few years of caring for a wife with dementia, I longed to get back in the shop with her in a care center. The Shopsmith and AMT found other homes and a Nova Galaxy found a place of honor in the shop. Soon my inherited radial arm saw was replaced by a band saw and I was into turning bowls from the free acacia, sumac, and mesquite that started finding its way into my shop.
Going from the AMT where every change in speed was a matter of changing belts to simply rotating a knob is like comparing driving a Model T to driving a Tesla. But as my shop tools have seen a massive upgrade, my physical condition has degraded. My left hand shakes a lot and my right hand shakes less, but still shakes. While I once was employed based on my computer skills, just typing this requires very frequent correction. Despite hours of practice with a bowl gouge, I can't get it to do what I want it to do. However, with a sharp carbide tool with a square shaft that my left hand holds to the tool rest and a right hand tucking the handle against my body, I can make what, to me appear to be bowls. So, this old guy welcomes the new tools that allow me to enjoy turning despite my deteriorating physical condition.
Here is the chart from the AMT lathe along with a couple of my recent creations out of mesquite.