--- Kirk Hillman <hillman88@telus.net> wrote:
>
> This brings up a new topic. Machining in general.
> What are good
> resources for the novice to start learning? I've wanted
> to look into it for
> years and now feel the compunction...
Not something I'd be all that sure of (learning, that is).
I was lost in Rhode Island and raised by a tribe of feral
machinists...you know what kind of a household it was when
the depth of the formula in my bottle was measured with a
dial caliper....8*)
Seriously, the best way to learn it is to do it. I did a
lot when I was a kid, then laid off it for a lot of years
till I bought another lathe and started in again.
Typically, I've just approached any problem I had looking
at it through the tools I had - how can I do this with what
I've got?
Things tended to just happen from there...8*)
For example, when redoing Mr. C I had a need to refurbish
his steering relay. The bearing surfaces and seal running
surfaces of the shaft were just plain shot - but this was
one of the mystical shafts that was designed for
replacement of the running surfaces.
To fix it, I took a piece of cold-rolled steel and bored it
to be a press fit over the mounts for the running surfaces.
After pressing the pieces into place, I then re-chucked the
shaft and turned the replacement pieces to the proper
diameter and polished them smooth.
That's the way I've always done things - look at the
problem and go for it from there.
The other thing that would help (and one thing I still do)
is read, read, read. There are several good machining
magazines for the hobbyist, as well as books by people like
TUbal Cain. THe best book for the total tyro is "How To Run
A Lathe" by the South Bend company. Great book - intended
as a primer for the apprentice or total newbie at
machining.
ALso, have a look at Lindsay Books - they have a great
range of books on lathe work and machining in general at
very reasonable prices.
Mentioning them, there's a series of books they have by a
chappie named Dave Gingery - the "how to build a machine
shop from scratch" series. Dave takes you through the
process of building a little charcoal metal melting
furnace, then teaches you casting techniques. From there,
it's patternmaking, and the first tool you build is a
lathe.
From there it's drill press, milling machine, shaper and
all the rest. I have LOT of respect for this book series -
it teaches lots of skills that are slowly getting lost in
today's world.
aj"Phew - lots of words...."r
=====
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