Beginning to learn about machining

Candle Power Forums

Help Support Candle Power:

Freyth

Freyth

Enlightened
Joined
Mar 6, 2007
Messages
294
So it seems I've begun to develop an interest in machining - there's nothing like being able to create your own stuff (especially lights!), sure what sparked my interest for machining was flashlights but I hope to be able to go beyond than that; I see vast opportunities for me here to develop my other interests. But being in a small country and having insufficient spending money and space, I can't purchase a lathe/mill (2nd hand even) and even if I could I wouldn't have any where to store it. Things that are available to other members in other countries are just extremely difficult to obtain here.

I hope that could change in the future when I have the resources but for now I would just like to begin to scratch the surface of machining. I've come across simulators like these: http://www.virtuallathe.co.nz/ and sure there are books that cover beginner topics but my real question would be where and how should I best start to learn machining (especially on safety and health asepcts: Don't wish to lose a finger or two when I haven't reached my mid life crisis!)?

I'm also currently looking for machine shops/short courses to give me direct hands-on experience but if that doesn't work out I'd like to start off from somewhere and make sure that I've begun from the right point.
 
Last edited:
I can't tell what country you are in, so it's difficult to give direct advice.

"my real question would be where and how should I best start to learn machining"... leads to building a foundation. You have to learn the terms, then find a way to put them in context. Once you know the terms and how they apply to machining you can learn from any book or video. The virtual lathe seems like a good start for getting acquainted with the terms in context..

If I were in a place without a school for technical courses, I'd try to locate a local machine shop and do whatever is necessary to convince them to let me hang around and occasionally ask questions.

You can learn a LOT online and with minimal tools. A hacksaw, set of files and a drill will let you make a LOT of things. Since we have epoxies, you can be very creative as far as joining metal together too. I learned most of what I know by reading about it and then trying on small (hobby ) machines.

Your most basic lathe is a motor fastened to a table with something to act as a tailstock to support the far end. That lets you turn between centers. I've seen tailstocks that were simply a block of aluminum with a pointed bolt sticking out of it. I've seen metal cutting lathes built mostly of wood.

Don't let lack of space stop you. My 7x10 lathe was used on a folding workbench with a top that was just 2x3 foot. Both could be stored in a cabinet when not in use. The biggest impediment to using a lathe or mill is that machining is messy. Oil and metal chips seem to go everywhere.

One often quoted source for the beginner: " How to Run a Lathe" found at http://www.wewilliams.net/SBLibrary.htm . Just because it was written in 1914 does not change the fact that the mechanics are the same.

Dan
 
Thanks Dan and tylernt. I'll start reading information off the net first then I'll see if I can get into the shops.
 
J:

You may want to clear out your PMs. I sent a detailed answer to your PM and it disappeared because your inbox is full!
 
Learning to machine is like learning to play the piano, there is no end to how much learning is possible.

I have a mill and a lathe, and my skill level is getting my tasks done with the piano equivalent of learning to play "chopsticks".
 
where and how should I best start to learn machining
Click to expand...
A local community college is a great resource, but I saw no machining programs on this site: http://www.comcol.ac.nz/

Try to find a smaller machine shop that still runs manual machines & offer to clean up the shop in exchange for basic machining instruction. Few machinists like to clean up the shop, so give this a try.

A 7x10 mini lathe costs little, especially used, and is one way to get started.
 
precisionworks said:
A 7x10 mini lathe costs little, especially used, and is one way to get started.
Click to expand...

I'm still pretty new at this - I had done a great deal of reading and viewing of online videos, but it really didn't "sink in" until I was able to get some actual hands-on time by taking a local machining class and working with "real" full-size engine lathes and Bridgeport mills.

Having had that experience, but not yet having the funds to equip my own home shop in style, I have purchased a 7x10 mini lathe and an X2 mini mill. I'm planning to do some manual machining with them, and then convert them both to CNC. Those machines will permit me to get further hands-on experience, and hopefully by the time that I can afford some bigger equipment I will have learned enough that I can make an informed buying choice.
 
Be careful about some of the advice on HSM (as well as lots of other boards that offer machinist information). It isn't unusual to find questionable or even dangerous ways to do a job. My old boss would have chewed me out had I set up work the way it's sometimes posted on these sites.

If it doesn't feel safe it probably isn't. Even the smallest lathe or mill will easily amputate a finger if you get careless ... or follow the suggestion of someone who hasn't a clue about setting up a part.
 
Barry's advice is good. It's always a good idea to avoid questionable practices if you read any machining thread and you find even a single dissenting voice that points to danger. Even if the poster has done something dangerous a thousand times, that does not mean that you will get away with it.

People who are dead wrong (myself included) tend to defend the bad advice as strongly as they defend good advice. It's almost always because they believe that the advice is sound. Sometimes it's just being obstinate.

Daniel
 
Here are just a few examples of questionable practice ...

Machining a round part on the mill, using a rotary table, when said machinist has a lathe located six feet away.

Machining a non round part on the lathe by clamping it to the cross slide, when a mill is sitting six feet away.

Boring our anything automotive (including motorcycle, lawn mower, ATV, etc.) when an auto machine shop will do a better job using a dedicated line boring bar http://www.joebakerequipsales.com/stock1702.jpg

Using a drill press vise on a milling machine ... which seems to be posted in every fourth thread on some forums. The "machinist" claims that they cannot afford a milling vise. Hard to imagine how they'll pay for the surgical repair on their limb.

Machining a part on a lathe that sticks out of the chuck more than two or three diameters without tailstock support.

Machining a long part on a lathe without a steady rest.

Using double sided carpet tape to stick a part to a faceplate.

The list is almost endless, but these are some of the typical ones that appear on a regular basis :(
 
Just a small query:

precisionworks said:
Machining a round part on the mill, using a rotary table, when said machinist has a lathe located six feet away.
Click to expand...

I presume that this is assuming your lathe is able to hold the part in question and the time taken to do the job, or are there some safety issues involved? I recently had to do just this, for the simple (and kinda sad) reason that the chuck on my rotary table has a greater capacity than my lathe chuck. Finish and accuracy probably weren't the best, but the tolerances for that job were very wide.
 
This actually happened on another board ... member had a 12" swing lathe (which could easily hold the part) and a 9" RT on the mill-drill. Complained that it took over 2000 turns of the RT handle to do the job :) :(
 
Lol, I can certainly understand that, I really wasn't happy at the end of that job. Then again, I suppose at least I didn't do it and then have someone point out the perfectly good lathe next to me!:crackup:
 
I guess there are "dangerous" and there is impractical.

Dangerous is milling on a drill press. When the spinning tool goes flying, someone can get very hurt.

Dangerous is holding a piece by hand on your mill, drill, etc. When the tool grabs you loose control immediately. Sometimes that hurts.

Impractical is trying to build a 455 CI v8 with a minimill.

But the impractical threads are still educational. There may be a time when you need to mount your 7x10 lathe on your bridgeport mill to do some odd machining.

Daniel
 
youtube is a good resource. I don't generally find a lot of basic help on forums. Of course it's there if you ask.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top