I'm looking for anybody with time and patience to teach me about programing and reading blue prints. I have a job using a CNC to cut cores for snowboards and skateboards and I'm wanting to learn more about how to use my machine. The problem is my employer holds back on teaching me anything above what i need to know to do my job. So I can not advance without working in a night class somewhere if I could affford the time but its not possible with my work schedule at the moment.

"job Security" If He Taught You More Than You Needed To Know To Just Turn Out Parts.... Then Why Would He Be So Important Anymore??? ( Excuse The Sarcasm ) I'm In The Same Situation... Been Workin Around Cnc's All My Life , But We Have A Super-intelligent Programmer That Will Not Teach Anyone Anything... If You Have Any Luck Finding A Mentor Or Good Learning Resources... Please Pass Them Along... Good Luck!!! & Finally - I've Learned Most From Mistakes...

As I read over these messages it is interesting to find members that have come to the same conclusion as I have from simply years of experience. The phrase, "I've learned most from mistakes" is not only true, but takes an experienced, and humble, person to admit. When I first started in a machine shop I was laughed at by one of the "seasoned" machinist. I couldn't afford the nice new tool box full of Starrett's. I was hungry for knowledge, so I went to the local library and checked out a couple books only to discover that the library's books were better for machine shop history research! There was a movie I watch many years ago called "Lawn mower man". It depicted an awesome form of learning. Simply download all the information you want from CD's and DVD's into ones brain while they rest! Sounds easy enough except one thing is missing... "The Experience"!!! I worked for a company that made pace makers. I never touched a real pace maker though. I have no idea what a real one feels like, but I have one of the dumby ones they gave out to doctors sitting in my toolbox. I ran a centerless grinder while working there. I ran an EDM machine, CNC lathe, CNC machining center, manual lathe and mills. Before I became a machinist, I welded for over 10 years. The only reason I am sharing my job history here is to explain that the only way to gain experience is to do something. My father has told me for many years, "son, if you want to get somewhere, find a good job and stick with it". Sorry Dad, I didn't listen... My tool box has wheels for a reason, and good machinists are hard to find. best regards to ya, -al

I hope this helps. Here is a great place to start your quest for knowledge... Good luck... Not that you will need it with the autonomous training attitude you have...

http://www.nims-skills.org/home/index.htm

Attached is a program training manual for a Fanuc Two Axis Lathe for you to use when you are ready for it...

Keep it up!! and Don't forget to have fun learning something new.

The first thing you need is hands on time with manual Machines. I only say this because I was once like you Third Drawer. Keep your Passion and Learn. Eyes and Ears Open, and keep quiet unless you have a really good question.

There are so many books to read before you touch a machine of any Kind. Look here www.mscdirect.com and www.amazon.com

There is a lot more to being a Machinist than just Knowing how to Program CNC's. No one ever told me this. My experience came from me, on my machines, in my garage and my hands.

Do Manual First. Grind your Own Tools. Get Good at It. Then move Up from there. It takes a long time to get experience in this trade. You have to learn from your mistakes.

If you Heart wants it, you will be a Machinist Someday. DON'T LET THE SEASONED MACHINIST BREAK YOU, BECAUSE IN REALITY, THEY ARE AFRAID OF YOU. Keep your thoughts to yourself, and LEARN.

BTW: If a Trade School is Available, GET There, no Matter What. It's all about what you put into it. You have to do this for YOURSELF. Money comes later.

I PMed you. :)

Good Luck and Gods Speed

I've trained lots of programmers and machinists It takes time and desire to continue the drop out rate is huge. It is far easier to learn to be a chef, nurse,,janitor and the pay is better in nursing!. I am 60 now and trained for all my life starting in NC in 1968. BRian O.

What do you want to learn???
It is ALL easy when the knowledge is properly presented and you have the prior knowledge to understand. Lets start with math and physics.
No you do not have to be a genius,
just be curious and quick to comprehend.

I need to learn a lot..I worked on a couple of different laths and mills, old cnc's and new one's. I know how to do my tool offsets on a set up, on the older cnc lath, i know how to set my g50's. I learned alot of the basic's of being an operator / set up machinest. I would like to know more about Set Up. I Know how to do the set set up its the the working part and my starting zero. If I said that correctly?

Do you understand
"Cartesian Coordinate System"
"Plane Geometry" ??
REal basics here,
everybody should have a start point.
Brian O

How's the learning coming along? Please let us know what you've gained so far?