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====== The Lathe ======

Josh frequently discusses his experiences with his lathe, a critical tool in his wand-making business. His journey with the lathe has been fraught with challenges and highlights the complexities of using such potentially dangerous equipment as a barely-functional autistic adult.

==== The Lathe's Role in Wand-Making ====

Cobra uses his lathe to craft intricate wands for his [[art:Wand Business]]. The lathe, gifted to him by his fans, and set up by [[characters:Clint Saunders|his dad]], has been both a boon and a source of frustration for Cobra. He often mentions how the lathe allows him to create more professional-looking wands, which are more uniform in size and design compared to those he used to hand-carve from sticks.

==== Struggles and Challenges ====

  * **Technical Issues**: Cobra frequently encounters technical problems with his lathe, such as stripped screws and parts that won't turn. These issues often prevent him from working on his wands, causing significant frustration.
    * Source: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjnZtE42fMI&t=0s|YouTube]]
  
  * **Learning Curve**: Despite his enthusiasm, Cobra admits that mastering the lathe has been challenging. The process of carving wands on the lathe requires precision and patience, and mistakes can lead to snapped wands, which is a common occurrence for him.
    * Source: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWXReLrJ6mg&t=4067s|YouTube]]

  * **Safety Concerns**: Using the lathe poses significant dangers, especially given Cobra's condition. He has mentioned the importance of not drinking while using the lathe to avoid accidents, underscoring the potential risks involved.
    * Source: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JenguByjFsY&t=1128s|YouTube]]

==== Emotional Impact ====

Cobra's struggles with the lathe are not just physical but also emotional. The frequent technical difficulties and the need for precision can be overwhelming, leading to bouts of frustration and despair. In recent years, Cobra has been producing less and less wands, and it may be that the increased technical challenge of using the lathe compared to his older method of processing sticks by hand may have contributed to this.

==== Positive Aspects ====

  * **Increased Professionalism**: Despite the difficulties, the lathe has allowed Cobra to produce what he sees as higher-quality wands. He often expresses pride in the improved craftsmanship and the ability to offer better products to his customers.
    * Source: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh2aledLnvw&t=237s|YouTube]]

  * **Support from Fans**: Cobra's fan base has been supportive, helping him navigate the challenges of using the lathe. This support is crucial for his mental health and motivation, providing a sense of community and encouragement.
    * Source: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbqeCuhi8Nc&t=1808s|YouTube]]

==== Community Reception ====

Cobra's community has generally not seen the lathe as a positive tool. It poses a significant danger to him, as he tends to lose control of himself when he drinks heavily, and even when sober, he isn't a person who most would generally trust with power tools. And while he believes that the wands he can produce with this tool are of higher quality, some feel that the wands have lost their authentic autistic touch, now that they're no longer crafted by hand.

At this point, thankfully, there have been no major incidents of Josh injuring himself with the lathe.