Classes first?

[NYNoob]

Hey. Just trying to get some feedback from others on where I should begin. I'm 35 years old and don't have much skill in terms of fabrication but because of a hobby of mine I have recently taken an interest.

I'd like to purchase a CNC Machine to be able to fabricate (if that's the right word) aluminum parts for sale for the above mentioned hobby. But rather than hiring someone I'd like to be able to learn the machine and be the one responsible for programming and whatever else is necessary. It's something I'd like to begin on a small scale and if things go well then go from there. I have the money available to purchase a machine but figured it'd be best if I knew how to work the CNC first.

Can anyone offer advice on what courses are available to learn and be self-sufficient on a CNC? Is it best to go to college to start or a trade school? I have no idea where to begin and any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[holbieone]

if you brake it down and take it step by step it's easy to learn cnc on your own

look at what you need for machine size to produce your parts , that will give you where to start on your search for a machine

you will need to start thinking in the 3d world (not that hard ) Cartesian coordinate system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

on a milling machine it is the tool that's being driven around not the machine

example on some machines the table moves for the "Z" axis not the tool , but you still need to look at it as if the tool is moving

there are plenty of people on here that started out we you are now and they are all willing to help out

[NYNoob]

Seems kinda hard lol but definitely appreciate the input. I'm looking into courses I can take and maybe an apprenticeship if I can find a local shop. Bump for any more ideas but thanks holbieone.

[keebler303]

Have you spent hours watching videos on youtube?
Hours reading all the threads here?

That is how I get familiar with lots of various topics before jumping in. For a hobby level project, I think trade school would be overkill. In addition it would make you hate your little benchtop machine after running a Haas or similar at the trade school. Just get the machine, make darn sure you research on the internet which machine is recommended and well supported. If your skill is limited, get one ready to run, if you are feeling adventurous, get a kit or something which requires more assembly. The best way to learn is to jump in and do it. On a benchtop machine, the worst failure you are likely to experience would be a broken cutter. Everyone has been there before. Just stay close to the E-stop button and you should be fine.

Good Luck
Matt

[NYNoob]

Have you spent hours watching videos on youtube?
Hours reading all the threads here?

That is how I get familiar with lots of various topics before jumping in. For a hobby level project, I think trade school would be overkill. In addition it would make you hate your little benchtop machine after running a Haas or similar at the trade school. Just get the machine, make darn sure you research on the internet which machine is recommended and well supported. If your skill is limited, get one ready to run, if you are feeling adventurous, get a kit or something which requires more assembly. The best way to learn is to jump in and do it. On a benchtop machine, the worst failure you are likely to experience would be a broken cutter. Everyone has been there before. Just stay close to the E-stop button and you should be fine.

Good Luck
Matt

I'm just getting into the stages of watching videos and reading threads on here but I should rephrase a little. I don't want to purchase a machine just as a hobby. I'd like to learn all aspects of this field and make a career out of it. Obviously not quitting my day job for now but I did speak with a friend (on the other side of the country) who advised how much he paid for his machine and I have the funds available to purchase one if I go this route. Just looking for a direction because there's sooooo much terminology that I'm not familiar with. What kind of classes would be the best to start with is pretty much where I'm at now lol. Thanks though for your reply

[keebler303]

So maybe we should talk about your budget. Bottom barrel for machining aluminum is something like a Syil X2 for a couple grand. Up from that is something like a Tormach which is in the area of $10k. Beyond that you are looking at $40k plus for a Haas or something.

I think you would be hating life if you ran production motorcycle parts on a Syil. I'm not sure what parts you are making so a Syil might not even be big enough. For triple clamps and stuff like that it would work but its no speed demon.

The tormach style machine would probably be the ideal size for you but I'm not sure what your budget is.

A "real" machining center like a Haas will obviously make all the parts you need and run all day without problems but you have to have enough parts to pay for the thing. With the Syil (and maybe the Tormach) you don't NEED to have the machine pay for itself. This gives you freedom to learn at your own pace and not get in over your head.

If you are really bewildered by the whole deal then some classes may be a good idea. The classes for the first couple quarters of any manufacturing technology type program should be useful. Here are the relevant classes from the first two quarters of a local mfg. tech. program.

INT 107: Principles of Manufacturing
INT 109: Fundamentals of Tool & Manufacturing Processes
INT 116: CNC Operations
INT 113: Fundamentals of CNC
INT 141: Applied Shop Mathematics I
ETD 198: Personal Computer Applications for Engineering Technology
OPT 100: Tooling & Machining Metrology



You can learn a lot by following build threads guys post here. Also read up on mach3, it is probably the software you will end up using for machine control. You could even download mach3 for free now and play around with it without a machine. Also looking up some reference material on G code, feeds and speeds, etc. will help.

Another possiblity depending on your work schedule would be to go talk to a local machine shop. Tell them you will sweep the floors for free if you can watch the old guys work and ask them a question every now and then. Most of the old machinists I have run across are pretty receptive to questions if you show them you are interested in the trade.

Matt

[NYNoob]

So maybe we should talk about your budget. Bottom barrel for machining aluminum is something like a Syil X2 for a couple grand. Up from that is something like a Tormach which is in the area of $10k. Beyond that you are looking at $40k plus for a Haas or something.

I think you would be hating life if you ran production motorcycle parts on a Syil. I'm not sure what parts you are making so a Syil might not even be big enough. For triple clamps and stuff like that it would work but its no speed demon.

The tormach style machine would probably be the ideal size for you but I'm not sure what your budget is.

A "real" machining center like a Haas will obviously make all the parts you need and run all day without problems but you have to have enough parts to pay for the thing. With the Syil (and maybe the Tormach) you don't NEED to have the machine pay for itself. This gives you freedom to learn at your own pace and not get in over your head.

If you are really bewildered by the whole deal then some classes may be a good idea. The classes for the first couple quarters of any manufacturing technology type program should be useful. Here are the relevant classes from the first two quarters of a local mfg. tech. program.

INT 107: Principles of Manufacturing
INT 109: Fundamentals of Tool & Manufacturing Processes
INT 116: CNC Operations
INT 113: Fundamentals of CNC
INT 141: Applied Shop Mathematics I
ETD 198: Personal Computer Applications for Engineering Technology
OPT 100: Tooling & Machining Metrology



You can learn a lot by following build threads guys post here. Also read up on mach3, it is probably the software you will end up using for machine control. You could even download mach3 for free now and play around with it without a machine. Also looking up some reference material on G code, feeds and speeds, etc. will help.

Another possiblity depending on your work schedule would be to go talk to a local machine shop. Tell them you will sweep the floors for free if you can watch the old guys work and ask them a question every now and then. Most of the old machinists I have run across are pretty receptive to questions if you show them you are interested in the trade.

Matt

Perfect - thank you very much for all of that info. My friend that I mentioned above told me he bought a 97 HAAS VF2 and got it for about $25,000. With regards to budget I'd have anywhere from 50-75k available to invest into this but for obvious reasons would prefer to stay on the lower end of that lol. I'm going to start looking into all that you have mentioned and again, appreciate the direction.