Why I don't throw anything away anymore.

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I have gotten into the habit of saving anything for which I can possibly imagine a use in the future.This is partly because I see the waste, and partly because I can many times save money by repurposing.  I had a toolblock rack that I made several years ago mounted on my lathe. I noticed that the steel dovetails were putting fine scratches in the blocks from the vibration when it was running.I also found a deal on 4 more blocks, and wanted to enlarge my storage rack to accommodate them when they show up.  I decided that the new rack should have dovetails made from plastic so as to eliminate wear and minimize the vibration.I had intended making them out of delrin, or UHMW until I priced what I needed(almost $40 and that was for rems).  I was walking through my woodshop, and noticed some remnants of the composite trim boards I had saved when I built the new deck 3 years ago.As luck would have it, they were already the right thickness and ripped to width. All I had to do was set the saw up at 30 degrees and cut to length.  I angled the mount slightly so that any liquids would drain back into the catch pan, and to make it easier to slide the blocks on and off the dovetails.It works great!!  Before I get flamed for having the rack on the back of the lathe where I have to reach over the workpiece, I always shut down before changing tooling.
Reply:Nice. I have the same type quick change.  I'll have to keep your idea in mind.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Kudos to you.  I'm the same way, don't throw anything out.
Reply:My poor son and grandson feel sorry for them but o well. They will have to deal with my things.
Reply:Nice job, I like the idea!  My tool holds reside behind the lathe as well.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:That's pretty slick. Mine sit on a small table behind me. I really need to build something similar.
Reply:Thanks. I used to have them sitting on the top of the rolling toolbox that stores all my other lathe tooling.I found it awkward to have to turn around at every tool change, thus the rack on the back.
Reply:Very clever
Reply:Junkie, who makes your ball turning tool?Teach Ag Mech - Mike At Home:Lincoln Electric AC225Miller Challenger 172Gas AxeWork:eclectic bunch of 90's vintage blue boxes
Reply:Originally Posted by teachagmechJunkie, who makes your ball turning tool?
Reply:i just took 500# of scrap to metal recycler , got enough for a steak dinner , Scrap $140 ton .gxbxc
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideYou mean radius tool  I think he made it. Looks like one in the home made tools thread from a couple years ago.Tool junkie , your ball turning tool is cool. Do you have more pics ?
Reply:Good use of some otherwise scrap Trex.Nice radius tool!