Originally Posted by gridley51  "I notice the same thing Al and I think it is more because most people do not want to understand the concept of CNC machines and it overloads the brain. I don't know how many older guys I have talked to that insist that manual "machines are the may to go". All because they would not have a clue how to tool up and program a part correctly. I see those engine lathes pulling big bucks and for what? Sheesh, no ball screws, no reversal comp, hell, I would get lost just trying to make an accurate part on something like that".
I wish I had ten bucks for everytime I`ve heard that,usually from people who could not switch a manual machine on.Do you seriously believe that the old timer puts a piece of metal in a chuck or a vice and wonders how he is going to make the part?No,he`s looked at the drawing and mentally decided on the order of operations,the tools he`s going to use and the feeds and speeds he`s running at.
If you need proof look at the questions on the forums,you will never see a manual turner asking what speed he should do this or that at.No,it is the newbies and the button pushers who ask these questions.
There will always be work for centre lathe turners not quite as much for millers.There are very few cnc lathes with four jaw chucks but there are plenty jobs that won`t go in a three jaw or a collet.
I have manual and cnc machines and the cnc machines make the most money but if I could find skilled turners I could earn as much from manual machines.I`ve been in this business forty years and now more than ever there is a demand for apprentice trained skilled men who know and understand the basics and who don`t need a computer to help them produce an accurate part.
Rant over.
Mark. |
Did not mean to rattle your chain there. I guess in my experience, The guys I am refering to do NOT know what they are doing and it does not apply to all. I "thought" they were machinists until I asked questions like idea surface ft for say 304 stainless or something. They do not even know how to calculated surface feet and many of the manual machines I have seen have like 3-4 speeds so you just hope it is in the window. But for that matter, many button pushers I know don't know what surface feet is either.
I got to run a manual lathe before and it was an experience and like you say, I had to figure out how to even turn it on. I guess everyone has their nitch.