What I Got for Christmas!

[GrouseMan77]

Originally Posted by JoeFred

But on trails with tight bends, I'll tinker away.

[gmreeves]

Just now seeing this thread. That rifle is amazing!!!

I got a cheap bandsaw for Christmas and hope to make a few landing nets over the next couple of months. Should be fun to play with. I just have to remember to not touch that whirling blade!

[JoelO]

Great gifts everyone. I love toys as much as anyone (Santa brought me a new 3X9 Zeiss Conquest scope for my rifle) but Shawn said it best...some of my most cherished gifts are the hand made ones. Not a Christmas gift, but my older brother built me a beautiful fly tying station for my 50th b-day last year...I guess he's hoping I'll keep him stocked in flies!

[gmreeves]

Yep I agree. I got a lathe as a gift last year for Christmas and spun up several gifts throughout the year and for this years Christmas. I'm hoping the table saw will be able to build my repertoire of possible gifts.

[MadisonBoats]

Originally Posted by gmreeves

Yep I agree. I got a lathe as a gift last year for Christmas and spun up several gifts throughout the year and for this years Christmas. I'm hoping the table saw will be able to build my repertoire of possible gifts.

Man, I have wanted a lathe for some time. Do you have a wood working lathe or metal working lathe. I would love to have both. One for making nice walking canes and the other for fabrication components. I have seen the combination lathe/mills and wondered if anyone has ever had any success with them at a project level....?

[Rodonthefly]

I got the gift of sweet baby Jesus, who later died for my sins!

[gmreeves]

Good on you Rod.

I just have a wood lathe that lets me turn my cork grips, reel seat inserts, and a few other odds and ends that make good gifts like pens, bottle stoppers, turkey calls, handles for other tools, christmas ornaments, the list is pretty much endless.

I've wanted a metal lathe to make reel seat hardware and ferrules but I just don't have the money or the space and really the time to learn how to do it but I would love to try.

[Knothead]

FWIW, lathes are the cheapest part. Wood or metal, the accessories, tools, cutting tools, etc. really add up. Shawn, there are a number of websites that carry new and used machinery. Just search a particular word/words and go for it.

I got the gift of sweet baby Jesus, who later died for my sins!

The reason for the season!

[gmreeves]

You are definately right Knothead! My mother does a lot of quilting and I recently saw someone who made handles to hold seam rippers. I thought that would make a cool little gift. To do the job, I wanted to be able to drill on the lathe and needed a different chuck to correctly hold the piece. Parts for the seam ripper, about $2.00. Chucks and Collets, over $100.

[JoeFred]

Originally Posted by Crockett

Fred +1 on the bear spray but you can't wear that bear bell cause 1) you might not get to see as many bears which is one of the true treats and treasures of being in the mountains and 2) you will hear lots of snickering after you pass folks on the trail!

Adam, you are so right about getting see bear in the backcountry. In '09 I got to see a female and two cubs cross the trail about 20 yards away as I was descending the upper part of Porters Creek Trail. It was after a rain shower and the mist just added to the experience. I don't think she saw me, but instead was eyeing two hikers coming up the trail.

JF