Welcome thread-tell us about you.

[mtne]

Hi,

I'm a bit of a neurotic that likes to be able to be able to do a bit of everything..........

I've not done any machining. Most all of the posts I've read use terms that I don't understand yet. I am beyond newbness. However I've always been interested in making things and am a licensed electrician, proficiant in most other construction trades, and a passible motorcycle mechanic.

I may have the option in the near future to acquire a small home machine shop of an elderly machinest. The equipment is "Jet" and I don't have the specific model numbers just yet. I think I saw a 1987 stamp on the lathe. The vertical mill is Jet as well and seems older. All of it is manual and does not appear to be converted to digital readout or CNC. There is also a metal bandsaw, smaller vertical mill, materials, and other odds and ends.

So of course I'm wondering where in these forums I might learn more about these machines and possibly assess their value both in terms of money and usefullness to the part time hobbiest. I'd most likely be looking to make one off custom motorcycle bit and what ever else that came up being needed.

Thanks...... it's always good to find a place with a store of knowledge to mine.

mountain eagle

[Chief Tenthumbs]

The feller from Tasmania was on about being an old fart. I think it's from standin' on his head all his life! I am also 51 going on 10 according to me Handbrake mate!

My interest lies in scale modeling and gunsmithing. Reinventing the wheel is something I'd like to avoid thus my wandering in here. I will ask stupid questions only once. I promise.

Dave "Chief Tenthumbs" Earnest

Living in the NW US within driving distance of 4 active but dormant volcanoes.

[weldeyes]

This old fart from Tasie ment now afence to any one else

Please acept my apology !

And for Beyond newb; have a look in here.

http://www.cnczone.com/vb/index.php

[Chief Tenthumbs]

No offense taken and no apology necessary! Just havin' a bit of fun.

[fitzy]

hi my name is Dan a.k.a fitzy
been really impressed with the posts and the wealth of knowledge here.
I'm new to the industry been welding for 10 years now and just acquired a torchmate 3 plasma so any and all advice on using and projects is welcome.thanks

[drhaasmach]

This is my first post on cnczone. My name is Derrick. Out of Redding Ca. Have a Haas TM-1 vertical and i use bobcad V21. Need some thing done, proto or production let me know.

[weldeyes]

Here's a place that might interest you ; fitzy

http://weldingweb.com/index.php

[mechatronicsman]

Hi.
Just wanted to drop a hello-posting as many of you guys have done. I have been reading and watching this place for some time and are really impressed by all the knowledge. Found out that it was time to register and maybe contribute a bit as well.

I am 33 years old and have been working professionally with electronics design since 1999. Ever since my childhood I have had an enormous interest in robotics, electronics and micro mechanics, and in the last couple of years general machining.

Inspired of all the information available I have also set up my own hobby mechatronics website to share my recent projects, hoping it will inspire and help others with the same hobbies.

Right now I am working on finalizing a mini-mill based upon a sherline lathe, based only on self-built electronics.

[magneto349]

Hello, I am from Buhl Idaho. I grew up in our family owned machine shop. I joined the Navy in 03, and did 4 years proudly. I got out and am back in our machine shop and going to College of Southern Idaho enrolled in the Manufacturing Technology class. In my spare time I Build bike engines, and work on ratty ass old cars. I new to this forum, but not to machining. I look forward to enjoying this forum.

Casey Goold, AKA Magneto349

[cannibal]

hi!
I'm a complete noob. Just picked up a Smithy 1220 for 100 dollars...100 dollars! from what i hear about those machines that's about all they're worth =P That's just subjective opinions though, I myself don't have an opinion on the machine as I've not machined anything in my life. I have yet to use it as I'm still going through the manual. I have hopes to convert it to a CNC machine and DRO it. Still doing lots of research and trying to see if i should take the machine apart and build a system from scratch, or to modify the ways and convert to ball screws on the existing machine.
At any rate, I'm just saying hi and I love that there is so much information here. Still bumming through all the FAQ's and previous posts. =D

[libby]

I am introducing myself here: I'm a flutemaker (musical instruments in precious metals to customer specifications: high quality, hand-made, and expensive), 55 years old. I've been working as a flutemaker since 1980 (with a few odd breaks, such as a job with a patent and trademark law firm--as a paralegal assistant). Up until recently, my machining needs and experience have been pretty simple. Now, I have been promoted to head my department. I use a 3-axis CNC machine (Servo Impact II Mini-mill) for one critical operation in production. It was running with an old dos machine (old software) and a little while back, the old 'puter conked out. I would like to upgrade the machine with new software, new pendant and of course, new computer (to use a Windows based version), which is what the manufacturer is recommending. The cost will be almost $4000 to get the upgrade, a new (manufacturer approved) computer, installation and testing. I am so NOT a machinist, let alone a CNC machinist! Can anyone share their experience with this particular CNC setup? I would rather keep this particular machine rather than replace it. It is in very good condition and used only lightly. Your thoughts?

I do enjoy reading the various posts from different forums, whether or not they are relevant to my situation.

libby

[woodie]

Hi i'm woodie (No beavis'n'Buthead please)
I am a retired,British Engineer tying to find something to keep me busy. I have decided to modify a Seig X0 micro mill/drill to cnc control. It is not an easy machine to convert but I can see a future for it with the hobby engineers due to it's low price (About £100/$200 here in the U.K. If anyone has modified an X0 I would be pleased to hear from them and I will try to let you all know how I get on.