Boredom... I has it.

[freddy333]

I've considered it too actually. What would you recommend is a good starting point? Is it possible to get into it cheaply?

Without a doubt - a lathe.

[JEKS]

I suggest checking out some of the inexpensive lathes, mills and combo's available from HarborFreight. Also, yardsales and Craigslist are your friend for machine tools - J

Mill $600

http://www.harborfre...hine-44991.html

Lathe $500

http://www.harborfre...athe-93212.html

Sweet Combo $2000

http://www.harborfre...feed-44142.html

[jmb]

Jeks - You were batting 1000 until you threw in the combo machine - they are usually a PITA...

I have converted the small HF lathe you pictured to CNC and I have a larger conventional. The small lathe pictured would be all somebody would need to do watch related stuff like bezels, movement spacers, etc. The small mill would be very nice for CG work, lug holes, etc.

The sneaky part about machine tools is you almost have to spend as much on tooling as you did for the machine!

[JEKS]

Fair enough. IF you've got the room, dedicated machines are the way to go. If, like me, you have storage/space/workshop envy, you take what you can get...

[jmb]

I have the little HF 7x10 CNC conversion mounted on a one drawer service cart which provides a place to put the electronics, computer, etc. It's not massive enough, or fast jogging enough, to cause any instability. I can roll it around wherever I need to to get it out of the way when not in use. One could do something similar with the little mill and even share electronics and controller...

[w0lf]

R, finish the 1665 or try some PAMs MBW PAM48 40mm are awesome and very Rolex size.

J, what do you think of these:

http://littlemachineshop.com/3900

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=4100&category=1271799306

[Niqlndym]

Build a movement out of a solid block of metal. I've found it to be humbling

[danza1812]

Ubi, your knowledge is invaluable on these boards and your work quite literally inspirational (as I look at my highly modded 4th gen Po in my left wrist)

I go through the same ups and downs, I swear I'll never own another rep, then see what can be done with mods on a different watch and off I go again. It's a hobby but bloody expensive!

[jmb]

wOlf - They would be great for doing watch/case work and other small projects. I think the lathe is the "updated" version of mine and the color makes me think it might be a re-labeled Jet lathe so the QC is probably a notch above your typical Harbor Freight variety. The mill looks a lot like this HF model:

http://www.harborfreight.com/two-speed-variable-bench-mill-drill-machine-44991.html

[cornerstone]

On a positive note, if you've hit the wall with watches other companies have made and done it all, perhaps the next exciting challenge could be to create your own?

If a Patek or a Daytona is a legacy to the kids, surely an Ubi original would be all the more special.

(OT: If you're doing Disney again 'Ridemax' is a must if you haven't before (although it boils down to two strategies, getting there first thing, and knowing that FastPasses don't expire). We did Disney this summer and we didn't queue at all.)

Anyway, here's raising a glass to your next inspiration!