I need some lathe measurements

Bill Rubenstein wrote:

Bill, This is exactly how I started my little business out of my garage woodshop/metalshop. Just an idea for a new product that would meet my needs better than what was out there. The time to market and the expense to manufacture was eye opening, (plus all the work engineering, CAD drawings, prototypes, re-engineering, getting quotes from machine shops, anodizing or other finishes, securing small parts in bulk, and little things you don't think of like bubble wrap, boxes, labels, storage, website$$$, ADVERTISING$$$$, PATENTS$$$$$$$!). It is definately not easy. Then if you have no marketing skills or don't know somebody in the "BIZ", where do you start? It's almost impossible to sell from your own website/Ebay and make a living without getting the word out in a national or international way. Now if you do secure a mail order catalog or a distributor be prepared to give up about 50% of list price so they can make a profit, but you still need to make a profit too. SO... now your $5.00 machined part plus all the above worked in turns out to retail for $50.00, (but you sell to catalogs for $25.00, your cost with the little items, components, boxes, labels, advertising etc. is $20.00!). Is $5.00 a piece profit going to make it for you? Remember the smallest black and white add in a wood magazine will run you about $500 an ad. You have to sell 100 widgets to just pay for one ad! Very tough, and time consuming but do-able for the right guy or gal. Not for everyone. Not to discourage you but there's alot ahead. It is rewarding Knowing you have a product out there that may end up in a museum of woodwrking tools 200 years from now or in a history book on woodworking. With all that said, GO FOR IT! It's an experience not many will have. Tim alisam.com "A-LEE-SAM"