Machinists?

[Eddie6th]

Any fellow machine operators out there?

[roushstage2]

Re: Machinists?

My father is a CNC machinist, therefore I know the basics about it. Cool stuff indeed though.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Machinists?

Hi Roushstage2,Yeah,it's a good line to get into.Is your father dealing with automotive parts?

I like the practical work,but find the theory heavy,but essential.you can't do one without the other.I'm a trainee at the moment and trying to get my diploma in metrology,technology,design and mechanics.What bugs me is all the other subjects that come with it......! History?Languages??

I'm very pleased,I came top of my class in the practical 9/10. I wish i could say the same for the theory!!!

Maybe your dad could give me a few tips!!!!

Thanks.

[roushstage2]

Re: Machinists?

The companies he has worked for are independent machine shops. They get orders in and they make the parts. My dad usually gets the order, and has to program it into the machine, find the right bits, etc. He has made parts for just about everything. He has made things ranging from parts for the Space Shuttle to parts out of hard, polishable plastic for the medical field to siphon drip blood to CNC machined pedals for Porsches down to basic parts needed for whatever and on...

He is more self taught in the field besides the one or two tests he took when he first started doing it. I don't recall him doing any sort of formal training really. Works for him though. He likes doing it and makes pretty alright money doing it.

I can tell you patience will be a big part. If you go to drill small holes, the bits can keep breaking and breaking. I cannot even describe how small this one project was. The hole he had to drill was possibly smaller than a piece of mechanical pencil lead! They ended up sending that out to another shop after my dad went through many drill bits. Keep the machine clean and make sure your coolant lines are there and working. Uh, trying to go from memory when I went to work with him a few times and got to see everything in action.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Machinists?

Hi Roushstage2,Thanks for the detailed write up.Sounds to me your dad knows his stuff! I'm glad to hear he is a self taught machinist.I'm always having this arguement with other students.Some are better than me in theory,but I come out tops with the practical.Life's like that.Unfortunatley,the theorists don't have much feeling for the practical side of things(not true in every case,but most).One I know is a wizard at mathematics,but he can't even change a spare wheel or spark plug???

CNC is the top totty! with ceramic cutters/plaques. and computerised input! I train on the older more manual machines.It's good fun though.We don't work with the ceramic cutters as the machines are not high velocity like the cnc machining and the cost is higher.We always work HSS steel cutters which need to be sharpened regularly(which is an art in itself).Again,i'm the only one that watches and learns from the teacher and sharpens these things.

As far as the refrigerent goes,it's critical for temp reducing and preventing the bits from breaking at the required RPM's.The machine i work on has a maximum of 1200.Your dad will be way beyond that! The one thing that bugs me, when i start in the evening,the boys from the turn before never clean up the machine,wether it be compressed air or the brooms.I always leave ten mins. before finishing and clean up and check that nothing is left loose etc.I seen one of these Auto centric (mandrino's it's called here),fly off at 1200 revs,and just miss someones head! It made a hell of a hole in the tool chest!

Maybe you can get your dad online sometime?

Thanks,Eddie.

[roushstage2]

Re: Machinists?

I'm not an expert in the field by any means, but theory from what I have seen isn't going to make the machine work; at least with what my father does. Sounds like your type of machining is fairly different though, so it could be necessary?

I want to say his machines get up to 10,000-12,000 RPM? As for the cleaning, my father showed me plenty of examples from the other guy's machines. Each person at every shop I've been to with my dad, which is all but his newest one, leaves **** everywhere. My dad cleans his machine after every run. Depending on the job, he will sometimes stop the machine several times to clean chips and shavings out during the "run," if you will. Not surprisingly, he seems to have the least amount problems, if any. Is that "mandrino" like a collet?

As for my dad getting online, that would be about as likely as him getting on a plane, lol. The only computer he uses (or touches) is the one on his CNC machine. Anything he needs typed up or looked up online or on the computer is a phone call to me.

If there is something in particular, I can try and ask him. It would most likely have to have something to do with general or CNC machining though.

This is something similar to what he uses, I think:

[rusty bumper]

Re: Machinists?

Glad I found this thread.

I just finished a three year machining course at a local college. I have submitted my application for graduation and should receive my A.A.S. in Machining Technology soon.

The college just installed about a half dozen of the Haas lathes shown above, but unfortunately I didn't get much training on them.

There is a lot theory taught with the degree course. CAD, CAM, G-code...we even went through a course in coordinate measuring machines. I think the math and the GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) courses were the hardest for me.

I finished with a 3.831 GPA.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Machinists?

Hi roushstage2,I'll need to check out the words.I've been training here and the parts of the machine i only know in this lingo.i think collet would be the correct name.it's got 3 jaws and locks your pieces in for cutting.Also i work with metric machinery.some of the other machinery is in inches.Again,i'll need to get the names for you.Once i get the hang of things here,i'll back it up with some pics. That's good machinery your dad works with.Unfotunaley,we're not given any training on those.Anyway you're father will know it's a demanding job that requires a lot of patience,precision and experience.(p.S. did you get the mail that i posted.i'm a bit lost in this dept.)
Also hi to rusty bumper,good to see a fellow operator here.Is your goal for automotive parts etc? The worst part for me is (sistemi in italian). the theary and appliance of pnuematics and eltro-pnuematics.Valves etc. once i get started in the practical i see tons of spaghetti! A+/B+/C+/A- etc,etc... I like working with auto Cad.Havn't triained on solidworks(autocad being used most within the industry),but have tried it.Cool 3D graphics!
The school has a ruginosity meter,but the kids during the day must've dropped it or something.It can't be calibrated anymore.Mitotoyo,I think.Pricey stuff...

An off the wall thing for both of you. I've got a couple of good socket sets that i've had for years.Good for the hobbiest,like me.Sealey stuff.Beta is good too. Do you still get Snap-on tools?I havn't seen them around for years..I really like thier stuff Again pricey here in europe,but excellent build quality.i love their stuff.

Keep in touch........Eddie (p.s. i'll get back to you RS2 about the alu. polish)

[rusty bumper]

Re: Machinists?

Hi roushstage2,I'll need to check out the words.I've been training here and the parts of the machine i only know in this lingo.i think collet would be the correct name.it's got 3 jaws and locks your pieces in for cutting.

Sounds like a 3 jaw chuck you're referring to. They're the easiest to work with.

I have set a piece in a 4 jaw chuck, but it required a magnetic dial indicator to true up the workpiece. We were required to true it to within .001 to .002 of an inch before turning.

[rusty bumper]

Re: Machinists?

Also hi to rusty bumper,good to see a fellow operator here.Is your goal for automotive parts etc? The worst part for me is (sistemi in italian). the theary and appliance of pnuematics and eltro-pnuematics.Valves etc. once i get started in the practical i see tons of spaghetti! A+/B+/C+/A- etc,etc... I like working with auto Cad.Havn't triained on solidworks(autocad being used most within the industry),but have tried it.Cool 3D graphics!

I'm not sure what I'm shooting for. Some of the students have connections to NASCAR garages (they're plentiful around here), and they are hoping for a career in that field.

I've heard of Solid Works, but never used it. We were trained in GibbsCAM instead.

I don't follow you on A+/B+/C+/A- etc., etc. Is that referring to the Cartesian Coordinate System?

[Eddie6th]

Re: Machinists?

Hi Rusty,from lemon oil to machining????


I'll get some photo copies of what i'm talking about asap.Time!!!!

I think it would be called pneumatics and electro pneumatics.it's just ways to get machines running:'on' 'off' together or seperatley.It's pretty complicated stuff(for me at least!).

If you go to youtube,i think you can see quite a lot of things regarding solidworks.

eddie...

[rusty bumper]

Re: Machinists?

Thanks Eddie...I'll check Youtube out.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Machinists?

Hi Rusty,I'll get a couple of copies of the pneumatic stuff ASAP.I had a finals exam last night (theory) on this,2 hours.Really tough!

Thanks for the translation 'Chuck'. That's what i was talking about.I work with the 3 jaw only.So,interesting to hear about the 4 jaw.

The machines in the school are plentifull(but dated:good for learning).I have a preference for one.I'm used to it! The problem is the young 'ins during the day. They waste refrigerent,they swap chucks and they never clean up after! Right away,I have to waste 10-20 minutes putting things back to normal.