[rgarrett7]

I have a HF 8x12 that I am just learning to operate.

I am looking for suggestions for initial projects. I've spent some time looking around on the Web and various forums and blogs, but have not seen a lot that excites me.

What would constitute a good initial project for me?

Criteria:

Not too hard to do. Duh!

Does not take more than a few hours work.

Uses readily available materials (aluminum or steel rod, etc.) -- aka no really hard to find stuff.

Now for the hard part -- does something useful or amusing. Amusing, I leave open to your imagination or interpretation. Useful I realize is tough, because what would be useful for me is not necessarily useful to others. Small jewelry or art would be okay, though I think that falls under "amusing" more than "useful" --- though birthday and Christmas gifts for others are "useful." Here are my basic hobbies, so tools or parts for the following would be good: I work on an airplane I built (Van's RV-6) and a car I feel like I might as well have made (Subaru STi). I also like telescopes.

Thoughts, suggestions, or references?

[acondit]

How about a precision mini cylindrical square? Say 1" in diameter and 4" in length?

The end cuts must be flat and smooth. The sides must be turned precisely parallel.

Alan