Foo - How to convince the parents to let it in the house....

I have made the decision, based on careful research and frustration, to sell my lathe for a larger machine.
My hopes are for a 9x30ish nice used lathe. I told my parents this, and they said as long as it fits in my designated work area, its fine. But i Just dont think they fully realize the size between a 7x12 and a 9x30 or even 36. Does anybody have any idea of how I can prepare them for this?

What about demonstrating with a tape measure?

Well i dont want to throw them off the idea entirely as soon as I start. What i am trying to avoid is having a nice truck pull into my driveway with a 350 pound package for phantomcow, and the parents being too surprised

Don't say another word....always easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission in the first place.

That's such an important rule in the workplace that the sooner you learn it the better.

King Termite, I like that advice :).
I guess its possible to say, I told them alrady that this is going to much larger than what ive got. Once ive got it...it will be tough to return. So its not ment to move

you could always try the "it looked smaller when i first looked at it". That has happened to my wife and I several times when buying furniture for the house. Nothing like getting a new couch delivered and going, "looks like it is time to re-arrange all the other furniture!"

How do you plan to carry a 350# mill into the house?

not mill...yet. WHen i get tired of what ive got, thats going.
Lathe, :).

Getting it in is easy....
You use pipe, 1" diameter steel pipe.
Simply build a little wooden pallete for the lathe. Then roll it on pipes like the egyptians did with pyramid stones.
ANd it will have to go down 3 steps, somewhat large. So you get some 2x4's, some plywood, and some rope. Gently let it down the ramp.
Then be creative in finding a way to get it up.
Its only 350 lbs when it has everything on it. Take off as much as you can and lighten the load considerably. THe most difficult part will be putting on my 34" tall bench..

What kind of lathe are we talking about here for wood or metal.

Steve
-I might have just the answer you need.

metal. Hoping for a 1960+ south bend, but anything with a 9" swing

Dang, I can't help you. I was hoping for wooden. I was going to give you my address and just have you ship it here. It would look great next to my Delta Uni-saw. I'm not much of a metal guy. (Not even in the music world.)

But seriously, do your parents know what you do with this thing. A good metal worker deserves much respect in my book. Is this a hobby, or something more? I could imagine your parents would support your advancement (need for a bigger better tool) if they thought it might lead to a better career for you.

Steve
-not much of an Ann Landers I suppose

Well i use my 7x12 lathe A LOT. The metal working is mainly a hobby. My hopes are to get into mechanical engineering, so i seek help from other engineers to build various projects. It just seems you wont get far with sophisticated projects without a metal lathe. So i bought this 7x12, its nothing compared to the engine lathe i use at school, but it works. Im just tired of taking small cuts. I think the school spoils me :p
Maybe when I am at college, i will work in a shop. But in no way do i plan on doing that for all my life. I just found metalworking to be a lot of fun

The reason i worry about my parents reaction is becaues they really dont like aluminum chips, and i make a lot. ANd im afraid im only going to make more with a bigger beast.

Well i use my 7x12 lathe A LOT. The metal working is mainly a hobby. My hopes are to get into mechanical engineering, so i seek help from other engineers to build various projects. It just seems you wont get far with sophisticated projects without a metal lathe. So i bought this 7x12, its nothing compared to the engine lathe i use at school, but it works. Im just tired of taking small cuts. I think the school spoils me :p
Maybe when I am at college, i will work in a shop. But in no way do i plan on doing that for all my life. I just found metalworking to be a lot of fun

The reason i worry about my parents reaction is becaues they really dont like aluminum chips, and i make a lot. ANd im afraid im only going to make more with a bigger beast.

Well, learning how to work metal will give you a "practical" understanding of ME. I was a carpentar before I got my degree as an Architect. So even if you don't work in a shop, it will still build you ME skills.

Also, for wood working they have dust collector systems. Don't they have something like that for metal?

Steve
-always keep you workspace clean

Sounds like a good piece of equipment to have but, 350 pounds?!! Have fun hauling that thing onto your workbench. But think of it this way, it could be worse, imagine the fun of hauling something like that down 12 stairs :eek:

EDIT: Good job choice, I want to be a mechanical engineer when Im older. :) Now if I can raise my pathetic math mark up...

That's how you do it when you live at home: you thread the fine line between "full disclosure" and "need to know". ;) I was into metal fab at first, but all of that oil put me off. Went for sawdust instead.

The reason i worry about my parents reaction is becaues they really dont like aluminum chips, and i make a lot. ANd im afraid im only going to make more with a bigger beast.

You, my friend, need a shop vac. They pick up lathe and mill chips pretty darn well, even when their covered in CoolTool.

First of all, it's largely your parents' fault for cultivating your constructive endeavors. Besides which, knowing how to do this stuff is a useful skill. A lot of companies like to have engineers who actually know what the machinists can reasonably accomplish or can prototype parts themselves. Not to mention, if you end up heading towards machining instead of engineering, you'll have a really good jump on the needed skills. And of course, you can make the occasional useful thing around the house, like a machined salt and pepper shaker set. :D

Second, does a 9x30" lathe made in 1960 really only weigh 350? They look so beefy. I guess if it doesn't have a stand, that makes a bit of a difference.

Finally, keep your legs and arms out from under the lathe when you're lifting it onto your workbench. No need for tenderized phantomcow.

This is supposed to go in the house? Wow...sounds pretty big to go in the house. Do you have a "spare" room that is your work room or (prepare for possible stupid question) do you plan to have this in your bedroom? Does one of those things make a lot of noise? Do you have a garage you could put it in? From a "mom" like point of view...I don't know if I would want it in my house. You might be in for some convincing!

I'd definately go with the "holy cow...I didn't think it'd be THIS big--gee...hope this isn't going to be a problem?"

most kids would have a dog or a cat... but not you... noooo.. not you... you have a pet 350lb lathe...

you're one wierd mofro, you know?


well, the lathe won't crap, pee, and claw crap up.

iamlucky13 has a good point.

You are going to need coolant. All we are allowed to use here in CA is a water-based coolant.

Here at work, we are set up to collect, filter and recycle it...but it doesn't last forever.

I use water based coolant myself, called Kool Mist 77.
Ive got a flood system setup for my CNC Mill. Probably going to use the same stuff for the lathe, but i wont get a flood going there. ANd it will be less diluted.

In hte mean time, i think i am going to start selling my stuff on ebay, and avertise it as local pickup only. If i dont get any bids, or dont get the price i want, i will ship it. The weight will be under 150, so its able to be shipped via UPS. But the thing is, its expensive. And I dont want to bother making a box for it all. I think people will drive though...
Ive got a friend who sold a power parachute on ebay, a guy drove frm Ohio to NH to pick it up

Darn, there was something I needed made out of metal and I can't remember what it was. If I think of it I'll let you know ;).

metal. Hoping for a 1960+ south bend, but anything with a 9" swing

Oh, man. I am jonesing for a wood lathe right now. I am about to reach critical mass in my gara... er, shop right now, though. If I get one I will just get rid of the traditional woodworking bench which only serves to collect tools, screws, and junk.

I'm thinking about getting some machinework done for a remote-control mower project I'm kicking around -- but I'll probably get one of those internet quickturn shops. No room in mi casa for a 350lb lathe.

I use water based coolant myself, called Kool Mist 77.
Ive got a flood system setup for my CNC Mill. Probably going to use the same stuff for the lathe, but i wont get a flood going there. ANd it will be less diluted.

Keep in mind that lathes can splash that stuff around pretty well, especially if your coolant stream hits the chuck. You might need to set up a spray guard to keep from coating your parents' cars in coolant.

Man, I'm kinda jealous. I'm still working on collecting hand tools when phantomcow is in high school and is going to have a serious metal-working lathe. At least I can use the tools at work after hours.

phantomcow also had to work his butt off to fund this stuff, and i dont have a car like many highschoolers do, so that frees up funds.
My shop area is in the basement, far from the cars.
Right now im not sure if you can call my lathe a serious metal worker though...when i get that 9x...:) :) :) :)

Its still a little one!
I got real lucky finding a heavy 10 Southbend, it will take 1 3/16"+ through the headstock, about 30 inches of bed. Bet it weighs almost 800 lbs tho, thats why its on castors to make clean up easier.
Dont settle for a nine if you can get the heavy ten.
Opps, didn't see the bit about being down in the basement, my bad.
Good luck

oh i wish i could get a 10, i really do. 9 is the biggest I can humanly go....
At school i use a 13" by 48, and a 15x60. 6HP motors....
I can take an 1/8" cut into steel no problem, zero chatter. No matter how i phrase it, parents will never let that into the house :)

I would pay for seperate power service install and the monthly bill. Then put what you want in there. If it does not shake the house or otherwise bother anyone your parents should be pleased you want to be productive.
If they give you a hard time you could become a drug dealer long enough for one conviction. That should both give you the money you need for any metal working equipment and convince your parents of the quality and goodness of your first hobby.

don't get shot, though.