How to spend $1K

[sublime68charger]

Chop saw or used horizontal band saw? I've been cutting up angle iron and strap steel a lot lately, but I see some square tubing in my near future (custom frame for a truck we need).

Due your self up a pro con list of each of these and present it to the girls along with the next 3 years of metal working projects that you can think of.

and let them vote for which they think is the better tool to spend the 1k on?

Chop saw pro small easy to use won't take up much room etc

Band saw more veritable maybe better cut?
Con takes up a lot of room?

Just my thoughts

 

[darwyn]

I would say air compressor, I would love to be in a position where I had more compressor than air tools demand.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I certainly envy your position, my two cents worth, go for a new compressor then sell the old one and fund something extra off your wish list.

Let us know what you decide.

I would say air compressor, I would love to be in a position where I had more compressor than air tools demand.

Your old compressor leaks? Then I would say it's compressor time. And turn the old one into a smoker or BBQ or something that won't blow up some day when you're not expecting it.

Oh yeah, leave the new compressor in the will to the kid.

ORRR....... if you want to spend it on the kid...

Spend the grand an a GOOD BASIC SET of tools for the kid, and then take said new tool owner to the shop and teach the kid how to use them, and have plenty of projects ready to work on. You win and the young'un wins!!

 

[wyo george]

Set the money aside and the next time you are in the shop and need a tool you don't have go instantly and buy it. Repeat until the money is gone.

 

[xtremek]

..........Spend the grand an a GOOD BASIC SET of tools for the kid, and then take said new tool owner to the shop and teach the kid how to use them, and have plenty of projects ready to work on. You win and the young'un wins!!

Unfortunately, none of the girls wants to spend time in the barn with me and none of them has any inclination to do anything mechanical unless I bribe or force them.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

leaky air tanks are not good.. leaky air tanks around children are much more not good.. replace the air tank.. They will drop in there from time to time.

 

[jd_1138]

Unfortunately, none of the girls wants to spend time in the barn with me and none of them has any inclination to do anything mechanical unless I bribe or force them.

When they turn about 14 or 15, you can help them acquire their first car (that probably needs some small repairs/maintenance) and show them the basics and have them do the basics on it.

They will then learn the importance of car maintenance that will help them in their future lives. Too many young women are not taught these things and then when they are out on their own and no longer have daddy maintaining it it blows up one day due to lack of PM.

 

[kjdhawkhill]

bicycles

The wife is a professor (I married her for more than her good looks), so free college tuition.

As the beneficiary of a tuition exchange program, I will testify how great of a deal that is. If your wife's employer participates in an exchange list, fantastic, but if not, don't give up on the college savings yet. I know I couldn't have taken classes from professors I'd known since my own baptism. And getting out of my hometown was a good thing. But my baby brother stayed "home," lived on campus and loved it.

As for things - I'd personally get the kids something they could enjoy and benefit from for years, even if it only means more quality time with Mom, rather than Step-dad.

Or pay some more tuition in advance at their current school or future Catholic high school.

As far as expenditures for my own garage, a $1000 windfall would end up hanging on the wall in the form of a new bicycle or wheelset.

 

[almac]

how about some cordless tools?
a cordless impact would be a good start.

 

[Nexussian]

FWIW, my 2 cents,

If the air compressor tank leaks, at a minimum replace the tank.

Search craigslist and any other such sites that cover your area, then negotiate the best you can.

For the money ($1K) I would want at least a 5 HP 2 stage, but with patience and resourcefulness I would try to hold out for a 7 - 7.5 Hp 80 + Gallon 2 stage (preferably with the "new" pump having more than one set of 2 stage cylinders).


I did take a moment and drool over this one:
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tls/5087369577.html

But I couldn't afford the current to run it, even if I could scrape up / negotiate off the extra $500.



I didn't recommend a lathe, even though I have one, because I believe you mentioned not wanting a tool that will sit idle much.

After you get a lathe you will quickly burn through any and all jobs you can come up with and then be left wanting a larger lathe, or more tooling.

Of course if you get good with it, you could take small turning jobs for cash.

If you are looking at a lathe and it's much more than free, make sure it has at least the steady and traveling rests as well as any change gears required as those can be impossible to replace later. (guess what mine came without )

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is there anything you need for the barn ? Maybe spend it there to make it comfortable during those long winters months ?

 

[Daniel Dudley]

I only buy tools when I need them. Keep the money aside in a tool fund separate from your other funds.

 

[Goohead]

Buy some stocks

 

[Schurkey]

How about doing something novel like using it on the kid as it was intended?

Thank you. Parents who provide monetary "child support" should be entitled to the receipts for the goods and services provided to the child.

 

[finn]

Another vote for a college fund for the kid.

It's really the child's money. I'd feel guilty blowing it on myself if I was the op.

 

[Goohead]

Another vote for a college fund for the kid.

It's really the child's money. I'd feel guilty blowing it on myself if I was the op.

Long term stock investment like in apple

 

[SALIV8]

Why would take child support money for yourself that is for a kid that isnt even yours? Are you that broke?

This is pathetic. Save it for the kid. Gimme a break!

 

[jasnooks]

You're mad..

 

[2004.5cumminsman]

Don't be a **** bag. Spend it on the kid! Make it a perfect weekend for you two!

 

[ovilla]

I know this is going to sound crazy but I'd buy a used tire changer and wheel balancer. You can easily find both for 1K total. These are machines that you'll use more than you ever thought, will quickly pay for themselves, and can generate a constant stream of side money for years to come.

You will easily be saving yourself $100-150 each time you swap out to four new tires. Even with delivery, tires from tirerack.com are considerably cheaper, and with more options of brands and quality, than anything you'll find locally. The convenience factor alone is also really nice.

Just tell a few friends that you're now swapping tires at home for $10 each tire, plus say $5 each tire for balancing. Or, do bundled pricing for $50 to mount and balance 4 tires. You'll easily be making $1 a minute, if not more. You don't need to really advertise. Just tell a few car friends so they can let their car friends know too. Then get ready to start making money. The best part is that you can get these done after work (in your barn), at your leisure, and do a full set easily under an hour.

If you really want to make even more money, get your machines set up to mount and balance motorcycle tires. You can charge $30-40 for wheels that are dropped off or $40-60 for wheels that have to be removed from the bike. These prices are WAY lower than what any bike shops charge.

PLUS, kids actually enjoy this type of work. It's not too dirty and these machines are really easy to use. You can even give them half of whatever you're charging so they make some spending money too.

Finally, in case you can't tell, YES, I have these machines at home too.

 

[OCD]

It's really the child's money. I'd feel guilty blowing it on myself if I was the op.

How is it the child's money? Pretty sure the OP has spent some of his own money on his wife's child while the deadbeat dad wasn't contributing... The deadbeat dad won't be paying after the child turns 18, but the OP will will be...

I respect him for taking the child on as a package deal!!

 

[Leadfot]

The tire changer was a good idea.
My 2 cent is get some Wood working Tools.
Then you can make stuff for the kids rooms , or other stuff the house(barn) need.
Maybe make them a little play house outside.

 

[jon72vega]

how is it the child's money? Pretty sure the op has spent some of his own money on his wife's child while the deadbeat dad wasn't contributing... The deadbeat dad won't be paying after the child turns 18, but the op will will be...

I respect him for taking the child on as a package deal!!

that!

 

[brycez28]

And hope he doesn't major in English Literature with a minor in Underwater Basketweaving whereby he'll become an assistant manager at a Dunkin Donuts.

You know someone who did that too?!?!?!? My wife got her English major and teaching certificate.....5 years and then didn't want to teach and worked at Subway for 6 months and now does admitting and a local hospital

To answer the OP's question, you don't say how old the kid is, but how about use they money to do a project with him/her? Depending on age, pedal car, go cart, project car for high school/college?

 

[xtremek]

Guys, I've already gladly spent tens of thousands of dollars on the kids. I've given up a ton for them, willingly. For 4 years I've helped support them while their D-bag dad had jobs and didn't pay one cent of child support. And not just with money, but countless hours trucking them here, there, and everywhere. The only games/concerts/recitals I've missed were because I went to one while the wife went to the other because scheduling conflicts between the girls. I've went without, the wife has went without, but the girls have never lacked. Hell, I've even collected pop bottles for 6 months so I could buy one an electric guitar. And I'd do it all again. They're worth it. So excuse me if the wife says you can have up a grand to go play for once. I'm glad you've walked a mile in my shoes.

 

[Big Bob]

My vote is for a quality stationary tool like the compressor. Kick in a couple hundred extra and have a unit that will serve you well for years to come. I personally think it's a small "reward" for the love and support you've obviously provided to the children.

 

[xtremek]

For those of you who get it, thanks for the suggestions and support. And you're right, I'm still supporting her oldest, even though she's twenty. For those of you who don't, it doesn't matter, my small portion of the money is going to have to go for repairs to the neighbors bulldozer I borrowed to push stumps out of the way of where the wife wants to put the "Duck Haus" so that the middle daughter and my wife can raise ducks. Quack, Quack. Such is life. I always wanted to be a heavy equipment mechanic, not!

 

[xtremek]

FYI, my daughter turns 18 next year and I'm in the process of setting up a direct deposit from my paycheck into her savings account for the same amount as what I currently give my ex. I gave the ex the option of depositing it into her account, or my daughter's. The kids will get more out of me than they ever will out of the sperm donor. That's my job and I enjoy it.

 

[sublime68charger]

For those of you who get it, thanks for the suggestions and support. And you're right, I'm still supporting her oldest, even though she's twenty. For those of you who don't, it doesn't matter, my small portion of the money is going to have to go for repairs to the neighbors bulldozer I borrowed to push stumps out of the way of where the wife wants to put the "Duck Haus" so that the middle daughter and my wife can raise ducks. Quack, Quack. Such is life. I always wanted to be a heavy equipment mechanic, not!

Should have used the old ford! 8n correct?

They would have pulled right out! Or maybe you would have flipped the tractor right over.

What size dozer?

Good luck

 

[xtremek]

Should have used the old ford! 8n correct?

They would have pulled right out! Or maybe you would have flipped the tractor right over.

What size dozer?

Good luck

LOL. JD 450 The last stump I pushed out with the dozer, the Old Mule (correct, 8n) wouldn't even drag across the yard. I gave it a good try.

 

[SonofnIrishman]

Given the fact you came here to ask how to spend it, I'm going to assume you've covered all the necessary bases already, kids, wife and house included.

Go for a compressor, if it's old and tired.

 

[James-W]

I know this is going to sound crazy but I'd buy a used tire changer and wheel balancer. You can easily find both for 1K total. These are machines that you'll use more than you ever thought, will quickly pay for themselves, and can generate a constant stream of side money for years to come.

Not to start an argument, but a tire changer and wheel balance? I could buying those things if you change a lot of tires, but to the best of my knowledge changing tires and balancing them is a rare occurrence unless you are in the business of doing it. The last time I changed a tire was on my wife's car and that was back in 2011. The car I drive doesn't even have a spare tire. Like I said, I am not trying to start an argument, it's just seems to me that unless you change tires all the time it would be much less expensive to pay someone to do it when the need arises.

 

[sublime68charger]

LOL. JD 450 The last stump I pushed out with the dozer, the Old Mule (correct, 8n) wouldn't even drag across the yard. I gave it a good try.

Okay back on topic what broke on the dozer and where are the pics of the dozer and stumps?

Can put them in your trip back from the edge thread and not here since th eyed be more in line with the spirt of your ongoing build clean up what ever going on

 

[ATC]

I'd spend that money on a trip/vacation for the family.

Take them fishing....get a canoe and some fishing supplies.

Put it directly into their savings/college funds.

Something....anything other than buying yourself tools with it. That is low...despite what you have done for them.

I spend a lot of money on my friends kids year round. I'd be pretty upset if the parents took their birthday money or whatever from me and spent it on themselves.

Sounds like you guys weren't expecting the money. Give that money to the kids and pretend like you never got it...

 

[ovilla]

The reason for the tire machines is because it's a money maker/saver, especially when compared to any other tool that may be purchased. Even if you only use these machines for your own cars (yours, wife's, kid's cars, MIL, FIL, bro, sis), you're saving a lot of money. Next time you buy tires, look at the itemized breakdown and you'll see that you're paying for dismount/mount, wheel balancing, shop fees, EPA, etc.. You're easily paying $100-150 for Installation, on top of the price of tires (which have also been marked up 20-50%). Also, most people buy tires every 2-3 years, some even more often, depending on their commutes, suspension/alignment issues or lack of other PM. You also don't always get 40k miles out of tires rated for 40K. Some folks also like switching to winter tires on they're same rims, which cost money each time you do that. I know these are not machines for everyone but the OP definitely has the space for them and if he's your typical GJ type, I'm sure he's doing his own maintenance too.

Finally, everyone who's raising kids knows that it cost a fortune nowadays, especially if they're playing sports, are into dance, music or any other type of extracurricular activity. The OP is covering all of this and will of course continue to do so after the deadbeat dad "completes' his obligation. If the guy has a hard time keeping up with payments now (which are federally mandated), do you really think he's going to be kicking in anything after the court states that he's officially done with child support? Hell no! Do you think the OP is going to stop being financially there for these kids, especially when at 18 they're still living at home (like a lot of kids do nowadays)? No, he won't. In fact he'll continue to take it all on because those are his kids and he's going to keep doing the right thing. Letting him "have" $1000 back, from the tens of thousands he's already spent on them, when he wasn't even legally obliged to do so, is perfectly fine. The mere fact that his wife gave him the go ahead, shows the level of love and trust that she has in him. Also the fact that he's trying to carefully plan for the use of this money should tell you something too.

 

[xtremek]

Okay back on topic what broke on the dozer and where are the pics of the dozer and stumps?

Can put them in your trip back from the edge thread and not here since th eyed be more in line with the spirt of your ongoing build clean up what ever going on

I'll be putting an update on the home thread in the next couple of days. I've been slacking.

 

[Shopteacher]

Go on Vacation.

 

[xtremek]

I need to apologize to everyone. First, I want you to know these are my girls. I do my best to provide for them. They may have none of my DNA, but I love them. I put out a ton for them everyday. I will always give them what I think is best and the most that I can. I let people get to me and I should have been more like that kid on the bike when Gramps tried to pick a fight with him. I'm acted childish and I'm not proud of my actions. As for the money, my little portion will go to fix my neighbor's bulldozer that I borrowed and broke. And to close the loop, a portion is going into a savings account for the girls Christmas, back to school spending (remember there are 5 girls between us,$$$$), two need cars, the foundation for the wife's duck house/garden shed, finish the driveway and the other half will pay off some of the wife's debt. I want to thank everyone for their suggestions and again, apologize for my actions. Maybe one day I'll grow up.

 

[colt zantop]

No need to apologize nor explain yourself. Unfortunately this forum has become VERY judgmental the last year so so. It's just not the same as it use to be around here and people are so quick to attack it seems. You deserve to treat yourself!!!! So do it!

 

[Elginz]

I have raised several kids that don't have my DNA. They are with you all the rest of your life, just as any ones kids. The only mistake the OP made was telling where the $ came from. I as he, have done everything you, as a dad have done, only with children we did not conceive. The children have been supported way better than the "father" ever would have. Supported not only $ wise but love and caring support. The stuff that counts. If you can't support him, become a foster parent then tell him he is being selfish. How many of you that where telling him that have been there, have spent tens of thousands of $ on other peoples kids?