starting class in Feb. Please HELP

[ALLtra Mach]

OK,
Well I would say general machining discussion.
And Jim,
Machinist is a general term, I would guess the "Real" machinist you are refering to would be a "Master Machinist", but our trade rarely developes into that any more, as there are too many shortcuts to getting the same, or better results with actually having less knowledge.
But don't ever believe because it's not the "old ways" it's not the "good ways"!

[JimPAC]

OK,
Well I would say general machining discussion.
And Jim,
Machinist is a general term, I would guess the "Real" machinist you are refering to would be a "Master Machinist", but our trade rarely developes into that any more, as there are too many shortcuts to getting the same, or better results with actually having less knowledge.
But don't ever believe because it's not the "old ways" it's not the "good ways"!

ALLtra My intent was not meant to disqualify your opinion! I can only offer my own, of which has evolved from three generations of machinists and business ownership. I am originally from north Texas and now in Wichita KS. My consulting Co, performed a comprehensive study of 384 manufacturers throughout the Midwest in 2001. We emphasized the requirements and needs for skilled labor in particular Machinist.

I can tell you that the requirements are as varied as the weather! You are correct when you say the machinist trade rarely develops the level of skill required to be a General Machinist. However there are exceptions to that statement. Today's shop sees two types of management structures, one has "centralized skill" at the programmer or setup-person level and above, and relatively unskilled labor at the machines. The other extreme involves shop-floor expertise, where "the operators possess more advanced machinists skills and know the intimate details involved in the machine." Both management structures work, but either way needs investment. The centralized-skill model requires capital investment in automation while the latter takes more training and personnel investment.

Machining operations that produce a product or large lot sizes can do well with the "operator" skill level, while a job shop environment with short runs and varying part configurations / material types can profit best by retaining / training machinists skill levels.

Over thirty years of practicing lean efficiencies have enabled me to provide the total package of work place management that matches employees' needs while also meeting product quality and delivery. I posses a unique ability to apply lean processes, while developing the best model to account for modern technology and lean-manufacturing principles, requiring the least amount of cost and investment. My permissive management style fosters integrity and pride while maintaining respect and discipline throughout the organization.

I can assess a shops efficiency / deficiencies in a afternoon! Its what I do! Anyone needing such support let me know!

Learn something new every day!

Jim Salter

[fillopianfetus]

well so far class is going well i am really starting to like it. i rarely have time at night what with my son and trying to study to get on here and chat. as of now i can indicate on the mill, i have learned to indicate the three prong chuck on the mill, and i really hate the 4 pronged chuck, i am having great difficulties i will have the face indicated then when i go to the diameter i throw off the face so i bounce back and forth making little leaway till i finally thro it all off and get pissed off i was on the 4 chuck for like an hour and a half and was still off about .020 so i will ponder it over the weekend and hopefully get it right monday. thanks for all the advice yall and i look forward to talking with ya soon

[JimPAC]

well so far class is going well i am really starting to like it. i rarely have time at night what with my son and trying to study to get on here and chat. as of now i can indicate on the mill, i have learned to indicate the three prong chuck on the mill, and i really hate the 4 pronged chuck, i am having great difficulties i will have the face indicated then when i go to the diameter i throw off the face so i bounce back and forth making little leaway till i finally thro it all off and get pissed off i was on the 4 chuck for like an hour and a half and was still off about .020 so i will ponder it over the weekend and hopefully get it right monday. thanks for all the advice yall and i look forward to talking with ya soon

OK your indicating "LATHE" chucks not MILL! Those old pesky 4 jaw chucks are a pain!
A simple way is to divide the amount your off by 4. Start with two opposing jaws and work your way around! Indicate the stock your using to chuck on as close to the jaws as you can! This is a hard learning step for a lot of newbie's!

You will have to master indicating before you go to the next step.

Lets keep track of this thread and help this budding machinist succeed!!!


ALL within .0002 please

Jim

[JimPAC]

thanks for all the tips ALLtra Mach i will defiantly look into all that.....where should i post these little threads at though i really have no idea how to use this site yet?

Your Fine right here!

Keep posting on this thread and ask questions and "WE" will help you solve your problems!

Jim

[fillopianfetus]

okay so i have successfully indicated the 4 jaw chuck and i am now on my first lathe project which really suprises me because not only is it my first lathe project it is my very first project the teacher usually starts people off on the drill gauge project. the project is just practice and will not be graded only to get used to how the machine operates which i am very grateful for because i ****ed up a couple times. see the teach doesnt have all the time to just help one student so he also depends n student interaction with one another. and of course they showed me the basics. not u can read the dial(which of course i didnt even realize were there just figured the handle to control the x and y axis)
of course that isnt the only reason i ****ed up yet it played a big part. the good thing is i am now alot better on it because this first project actually converts into a 4 project peice..still practice of course. well thats whats goin on with me other then bookwork... the bookwork i am excellent at thus far all a's and b's anyways will be back reporting more progress soon

[JimPAC]

What brand and size lathe are you running?

There is no X axis on a engine lathe, Cross Feed (PART OFF, FACING ETC.) and Saddle (Turning, Threading ETC.) = Z Axis.

Ask for the manual and if there is one asked to take it home and study it. Learn as much as you can about every machine you run!

Your name sucks with a name like that I'll call you JEFROTUS ~~~ Please change it ~~~ you'll get much more respect!!

Keep Going

Jim

[mc-motorsports]

Ahha... The machinst is one which is underpaid....

I was told to me, that a TRUE machinst needs to know how to manufacture any material in any process to efficeintly and cost effectively finish a job. It was also said that a TRUE machinst needs to know more than a doctor.

I can't honesty say that I can effiecently run any material through any process. If I could, I wouldn't be here asking questions. I honestly don't know anyone who can. We all sepecialize in a few processes of a few materials when you look at the big picture.

But I can honestly say, that you will get paid what your worth to replace you in this trade. And should you seek self employment after a certian amount of experience and or knowledge, you can make more, but your going to work for it.

Love it or leave it. If it's riches you seek, look elsewhere. If you want a job which requires constant learning and a never ending challenge, manufacturing is a good place to be.

And please don't fall into the "I'm so much smarter than everyone else, including my boss and all of my co-workers and I know everything and I'm surrounded by idiots" crap that you'll read here by some falsely inflated ego's via a keyboard. Problem is, if they were so smart and so good, they would work for themselves and then they would figure out how much they know.

Your taking the right steps, which should prove character and intergirty to an employer. But this is a hard field to make money in, and please understand that you're only worth what it takes to replace you and the more you know, the more your worth.

Good luck to you!

[fillopianfetus]

earlier when i said i can indicate on the mill i really just meant indicating the vice on the mill...fairly easy anyone can learn. i think its a brigeport tormax 13-5 lathe. starting tomorrow i will be doin a graded project...threading. nope your right i did say mill, just a typo in the brain i did mean lathe, and as i just mentioned i can indicate the vice on the mill. i do appreciate all the advice and feedback from everyone. no offense to anyone if i do not take your advice...such as the screen name thing i will not be changing it, i love the name it has meaning. dont think i will ever fall in the i am so much smarter than "everyone else" i do love to learn so will therefor always be looking for new ways to do things, yet i may just be ecclectic adding my own variations...who knows

[cncprofessor]

Just came across your thread, and am wondering if you were still in the m/s training going, or working as a 'machinist' somewhere?