Hi Pitchfire,
No offense taken. It probably would help to know a little of my background and that would better explain my passion. I'll make this as short as possible.
I'm 69 years old.
I grew up in what I consider the heyday of cars and hot rods, late 50's through the early 70's. I drag raced and worked on cars and engines so I have a pretty extensive if not outdated by today's standards of engine design.
I have always been interested in model building starting off with plastic and continuing to the present.
After getting out of the Army in the late 60's I started an apprenticeship with the Ford Motor Co. as a metal patternmaker. Upon completion I worked in the shop until being transferred to the pattern design area designing and drawing patterns and coreboxes.
For the last 10 years at Ford I became a CAD modeler and cutter path creator.
I got my first lathe at 16 although I had no idea how to use it.
In the early 70's I bought an Enco round column mill and used it for the vast majority of my work. I only upgraded my mill in the last couple of years. All of my work is machined by hand, no CNC.
Now to the bottom line.
Although there is no practical use for what I build it is my hobby and like I said earlier my passion. Combining my knowledge of engines, my trade skills, my design background I create things, engines, transmissions, rifles and parts for all the people in my neighborhood when their lawnmowers quit working.
I hope this gives you a little more insight into what I do?
gbritnell