your 2 cents

[Lord Pac]

So- change of profession. Tired of encryption, packeting, access lists, ip's, routing,switching, blah blah blah....and thinking of something totally different!

I am in the process of importing a metal lathe ( I know bugger all about them )and was wondering what the demand is like for bike stuff.

Things like frame sliders, swingarm spools, clutch sliders, barends anything that can be turned on a lathe. I notice peeps import from the US because it's too expensive to make here or cheaper in the US as they churn out volumes.

What does the KB community reckon? I will still be importing the lathe regardless of demand. Another hobby rather than new profession

Cheers!

[Coyote]

Metal Lathe?! Bloody hell, they're like 8 grand aren't they? Nice machines, good investment

[Lord Pac]

Metal Lathe?! Bloody hell, they're like 8 grand aren't they? Nice machines, good investment

Depends on the length. Lathes are cheap overseas it's the shipping that's worrying- unless it comes by boat! But yes in the range of 5-10gees

Either a lathe or a Yamaha alto sax...

[Coyote]

Depends on the length. Lathes are cheap overseas it's the shipping that's worrying- unless it comes by boat! But yes in the range of 5-10gees

Either a lathe or a Yamaha alto sax...

Our school has got a nice new Metal Lathe for the metalwork class. Cost bloody 8 grand. Haven't had the chance to use it but it look really nice. Our old 60's one is still my favourite, the gearbox is buggered and when you turn it on, sounds like a tank is going past

[Mooch]

What is it with IT staff wanting to get out of it and make billet parts for motorcycles. Your the third person that wants to do this I've herd of in the last 6 months. You'd be up against a couple of good NZ machine shops and the likes of cyclecat in the US.
Could be a good export market though . Ever thought about making a billet side stand for Ducati SBK. I'd put an order in for one. No one makes them yet and the factory one is sh*t.

Mooch

[Dodgyiti]

Lathes are heavy and expensive
They require 3 phase power, and if they don't then they are not up to much
The fitting and turning apprentiship is 4 years and 3 x 2 week block courses
Big fish overseas and here have programable [ CNC] machines that cut operator time by 2/3 rds, can you compete with that, depending on how much your time is worth.
Billet, and just plain ali is very expensive in the sort of turning size blocks, one mistake- kaput
Apprentices make lots of mistakes the boss pays for, even with their training.

But good on you for trying something different, done the same myself, 3 times in fact, never regretted any of it.

[Riff Raff]

So- change of profession. Tired of encryption, packeting, access lists, ip's, routing,switching, blah blah blah....and thinking of something totally different!

There's nothing worse than being stuck in a job you hate. Life is for living - you don't want a little bit of your soul destroyed every day! It's very hard to give up the security of a career, even if it makes you unhappy. It's amazing what a release you feel when you make the break, and you'll be surprised at where your path leads you. The thing is, you'll never know whether you will succeed unless you try it. Go for it, and hopefully the path you take down the trouser of time will bring you happiness and fulfillment!

[Wonko]

All the best with finding another profession. Moved from IT(Programing) to Logistist and stock control. Better hours and I don't have to deal with stupid clients

[Hoon]

Yeah I've been thinking the same thing...well not as in a career change but more getting a small hobby metal lathe to make up my own bike parts (i.e. bolts, fittings, brackets, foot pegs, rear sets etc). You see a lot of lathes going on trademe.
However I want to learn to weld first and am going to do some short tech courses (6 x Sat morn classes). At the end of the 3rd course you sit your welding cert exam and then I'll get into some lathe courses.

I work in IT too and am thoroughly bored with it but the moneys too good. My way of coping is to have other exciting hobbies outside of work (i.e. Army, Target shooting and Motorcycling racing!!!)

[bluninja]

Good luck with whatever you decide to do; having done a 4 year apprentice ship in marine engineering (which included machine skills - welding, soldering, sheet metal work, milling, turning etc) I have no desire to have a 'boring' job producing runs of turned metal parts....but that's me. I did the IT thing, but I worked with people that used IT. To me IT's only another tool... just like a lathe but without the noise, swarf and soluble oil

[Blakamin]

Can't see you turning up some frame sliders on a yamaha alto sax, so I say buy the lathe!

any bits you want to make for Ducs, I'll gladly be your guinea pig!!!

[Joni]

There's nothing worse than being stuck in a job you hate. Life is for living - you don't want a little bit of your soul destroyed every day! It's very hard to give up the security of a career, even if it makes you unhappy. It's amazing what a release you feel when you make the break, and you'll be surprised at where your path leads you. The thing is, you'll never know whether you will succeed unless you try it. Go for it, and hopefully the path you take down the trouser of time will bring you happiness and fulfillment!

This was great to read, thanks Sue! Been thinking a lot about that "life is for living... part", and been wondering about the compromise factor in that. Yes I know at times it does play a huge factor, but surely there comes a time when you consider what you need and want, your happiness will surely contribute to the happiness of the people that you love?...(dunno, you can see I've been thinking....) :unsure:

Paco, strange we in the same business, IT, in fact security, encryption etc plays a huge part of my day, and unless its something you really enjoy it can rob the soul... been thinking down the same lines as you 100%. I wish you all the luck, what ever you decide to do!

[Dodgyiti]

There are some nice and reasonably priced lathes in Lucas Machinery in East Tamiki, cheaper than Macdonalds, but Macdonalds have a larger range.
I also would love a 600 center 4 jaw in my workshop, but then a mill is only a short jump after that, and then possible divorce

[vifferman]

There's nothing worse than being stuck in a job you hate. Life is for living - you don't want a little bit of your soul destroyed every day! It's very hard to give up the security of a career, even if it makes you unhappy. It's amazing what a release you feel when you make the break, and you'll be surprised at where your path leads you. The thing is, you'll never know whether you will succeed unless you try it. Go for it, and hopefully the path you take down the trouser of time will bring you happiness and fulfillment!

"...the path you take down the trouser of time..."??
That's very good, Riff Raff.

Sound advice too, but difficult to take, unless you're unencumbered by kids, a hefty mortgage, and all the trappings of consumerism... :confused2

Or very brave.


Which I'm not.

By the way - seeing as everyone on this thread (apart from Riffy Raffy) is in IT - so am I!! I've drifted into several careers along the way: farm labourer, research technician, lab supervisor, systems manager, software support, programmer.... and now I'm a professional writer for KB!

[James Deuce]

"...the path you take down the trouser of time..."??
That's very good, Riff Raff.

Sound advice too, but difficult to take, unless you're unencumbered by kids, a hefty mortgage, and all the trappings of consumerism... :confused2

Or very brave.


Which I'm not.

{snip}

I'm sick of people, who make a huge commitment to furthering our society by having kids, feeling like they have to apologise for commiting to that process instead of doing the great post-modern become-a-rock-star-in-your-chosen-profession thing.

It is utter bullshit that you can be anything you want to be. You can't. Get over it and stop wasting time looking back when you should be celebrating the things you've done. Don't measure your achievements against the yardstick you made for yourself as a teenager.

I work in IT and I absolutely loathe being a corporate monkey. But how dare I think that I could be selfish enough to reduce the standard of living of the people that rely on me, just so I can follow my dream. My life is as good as it can be at the moment, with all that that entails.

You done good Vifferman. You're obviously proud of your kids, and you have a relationship with your wife that looks pretty darn good from the outside looking in.