What's the cheapest way to learn CNC machining?

[squale]

Are there any cheap mills/lathes, etc. that I can buy to learn cnc machining on? or how about training videos, etc.?

[blackbeard52]

Just look in the DIY sections....It will be a great education to figure out what makes it tick...

[Geof]

Originally Posted by squale Are there any cheap mills/lathes, etc. that I can buy to learn cnc machining on? or how about training videos, etc.?

Get a job in a machine shop, sweeping the floor, parts loading, whatever you can find and accept whatever pay is offered. Then keep your eys and ears open and read any machine manuals and any other books you can find. Post questions here about things you find puzzling. With a bit of luck if you show initiative and the ability to learn you will probably get the chance to move from floor sweeper to parts loader or parts loader to setup/operator, etc, etc.

[squale]

how about small cnc machines for home use that i can learn on, such as a Taig, etc.?

[LeeWay]

Education is not cheap, but you have all the cliff notes you will need on this site.
You probably already own a cnc machine. If you have a printer that is.
The hard part of cnc for me was software. Still learning the 3D side and lathe, but mill and router are actually pretty easy to learn.
About 4 years ago, I knew nothing at all about CNC.
I now have three that I built and working on the 4th and 5th.
Once the software side is eased into, the rest comes one step at a time.
I am no genius, so just about anyone can do the same given a little time and some budget.
There are less expensive ways to get into it. Carvewright machine is one way. It does wood and plastics okay.
Sherline, Taig and a couple other machines may get you CNC'ed for under $5000. Way under for some. Depends on what you want to do.
You can make a cnc out of pipe and other hardware and may get out the door for $500 plus time.

The very best thing to do is take some time and read parts of this forum and do as you have done so far. Ask questions.
Best of luck to you and I will help more if I can.

I can say that you probably will NOT regret the time and money it may take to get around some of the learning curves in this.
It is absolutely one of the most satisfying and frustrating things a person can decide to do.

[squale]

well I still need some sort of a cnc machine to learn on. and the shop owner isn't about to teach me cnc on his expensive industrial machines. so what would be the best way to learn and pratice cnc on small parts?

[blackbeard52]

Well now we know what is going on.... You want to learn to run what is in the shop....This is a totally different bird...what machine is in the shop? What software is used to program it and run it, What product does it produce currently? These questions are the first that need answers. Learning on a totally different software and expecting it to help you get the job in the shop you now work will be fruitless short term I think.

The absolute easiest and cheapest way to learn is as Lee says, build a DIY from MDF or pipe and build very small say 12 x 12 then you can use printer motors and cheap controllers to make it engrave or machine soft materials like MDF or plastcis. Use CNC ZONE site as a guide, there are no better on the net. There are several You Tube videos and even Instructables to get the mechanics done cheap. Here is a site to get you started. www.buildyourcnc.com

Bob

[LeeWay]

It would help if you filled us in a little more on what you want to do. CNC covers a helluva lot of ground. From a small printer to large self reliant machining centers fed by robots. Lots of stuff in between those.

Here is another link you may find useful.
http://www.cncinformation.com/CNC_DIY/CNC_DIY.html

Here is a good resource for building your own machine cheaply.
http://www.instructables.com/tag/?q=...c=on&sort=none

[squale]

we use Southerwestern Industries ProtoTRAK lathes in the shop and Bridgeport Bed Mills cnc'ed with Centroid controlers.

Here are some of the parts we make: http://www.thewholepkg.com/images/Ph...rts/index.html