Growing up doesn't mean losing your sense of fun. Like they say, the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

I never got to do racing. My Uncle Walt was a name in go-kart racing in the 70's and 80's, at least, and I built karts for him for a short time while I was waiting to go into the USAF, but never got invited to even go to a race, not to mention drive one of the karts. His son was a racer, and won some races, and some trophies. 90HP Mac chainsaw motors, x2 on the karts they were racing. Some of the folks I was working with had been seriously injured doing it, and I suspect that might have had something to do with the lack of invitations.

As for the lathe parts, sometimes you need a compound, sometimes not. It all depends on what you're doing. Solving a problem can be fun. Using the solution can be fun. And sometimes it's just a means to an end. I like doing maintenance on machines. I think it's fun. It's less fun, however, when you need the thing running the next day to get to work, and it's sleeting while you're working. Been there, done that! May you always have the tools you need to hand, and may all your maintenance be fun, and done in good weather!

Bill