Well my latest tool gloat is an old general 160 lathe (with a cast iron base) that I got for free. it needs a little cleaning and a new motor but other than that it’s in good shape. My school was actually wanting to throw it away, along with some other tools I’m going to try and get. I was hoping to get a nice wadkin shaper as well but the teacher has decided he wants to keep it 🙁 It’s probably better off that way since it’s huge and i don’t have much extra space in my shop. Our government is so wasteful, and it’s really a shame that they’re shutting down a lot of wood and metal shops in our school system. If things continue this way, most of my generation won’t even know how to swing a hammer let alone build anything useful.
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Replies
Andrew,
My local dealer has had table saws, lathes, planers, etc. that all came out of a nearby school. Fortunately, they didn't cut shop classes like our local school did. They bought all shiny new stuff. (The fools!) Having gone on to college and grad school, I can honestly say that my shop classes were just as valuable as any others I took through the years. One class that stands out was called "home mechanics". We learned how to solder copper pipe, wire a switch and outlet, glaze a window, tune-up a lawn mower, use a cutting torch and welder...
In these times with so many single parent households (read: no father around) it's all the more important to teach students these basic skills and introduce them to those which maybe the source of their life's vocation or avocation.
Enjoy the General!
Jeff
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