newbie needs help!

[wawoodman]

I'm a woodworker, almost retired, and I want to move forward with metalworking. I've spent the last few years buying, accessorizing, etc. 

I've done a few small projects, but I really don't know what I'm doing, beyond watching videos and trying to duplicate what I see. The problem comes when things don't work the way they should. Is it the mill? The vise? The tooling? The material? User error?

Is there anyone in the Seattle area who would be willing to spend some time in my shop, and help me along? At least, help me figure out where the problems are. I am perfectly willing to pay for the teaching.

Please, give me a call at 206 five two three 9628!

Mike

[EdK]

Mike,

In the meantime, you could post your difficulties here and I'm sure you'd get some good help. There are a number of very experienced machinists on this forum more than happy to share their knowledge.

I hope you find someone close by to help you out because a few hours with an experienced machinist that's willing to share their knowledge is worth its weight in gold.

Ed

[wawoodman]

Ed,
That's exactly right! I've gotten great help on this (and other forums.) And I will continue to ask. But I think I need somebody here who can spot the problems, and help me over the hump.

As you say, a few hours with an experienced hand would be priceless!

[Sunset Machine]

I spent 4 years in production, didn't learn a thing until I started doing stuff on my own. Keep at it!

[Mayhem]

I can vouch for the benefits of standing next to someone who knows.

I also agree with Ed that posting your issues, along with pictures, will not only benefit you but will benefit others here who may be experiencing the same problems.

[ieezitin]

Mike.



I hope someone near you will help, I understand your need but if that don't happen consider this...
Your best teacher is yourself, coupled with the act of doing which is the first step on a long journey of enlightenment, this was proven to me by a man I apprenticed under for 6 years, if this helps let me pass on his first ever challenge he required from me around 40 years ago, which by the way when I completely failed, it helped capture my love for mechanical metal machining and fabrication which has shaped my whole life to date.
 
He made me cut from a 1'' square stock mild steel bar 3 pieces 1'' thick with a hack saw, ( the 1'' size is of no consequence, it can be any square size but for the purpose at hand this large size will surely be in your favor).. the task before me was to drill a ¼'' hole all the way through the center of this (1'' square cube) and then drill the same size hole all the way through perpendicular to an adjacent side of the cube so both bores meet in the middle perfectly. I was to make one on the lathe, drill press and one by hand.
 
One other stipulation was I have complete run of the machines in the shop, all the tooling and access to reference material, but I could not seek advice from him or anyone else in the shop until Thursday, this day was Monday and my apprentice project was due on Friday.
 
My efforts for three days produced nothing more than shear frustration, bewilderment and annoyance at my own ineptness' through lack of understanding, or so I thought.
 
Come Thursday he sat me down and asked to see what I had produced, he smiled and poked some fun at the mess before him, His only question to me was " what did I do to drill these holes like this?" also referring to the fact it was neither straight, square or centered, so I told him,  that’s all it took, he spent all Thursday showing me how to do it and all the time I was asking questions on why this and why that, questions I was unable to asked if I had not tried to do it in the first place, it made my learning more potent to which I will never forget.
 
Come the Friday I still had not achieved my goal, left alone to make more squares and still getting them wrong, at close of shift I had to show him my endeavors, I asked him " what am I still doing wrong as not to get these holes straight and perfect, I am doing everything you showed me" his answer was " your doing nothing wrong! You just need experience and practice" I still drill the odd hole askew today but the difference is I know why which makes it done by design.

Try this same challenge, make your mistakes and come back on the forum and ask why to your findings, you're going to get many answers to your questions, all probably correct as there is always ten ways to skin a cat, I assure you trying to do this will expose you to a vast understanding in metal machining, its not simple to achieve this task.


Let us know how you get on.
 
Hope this helps…..  Anthony

[wawoodman]

Thanks, guys.

I went back into the shop today, repeating to myself, "it's a rockwell, not a bridgeport." And so I tried a few different things, rather than copying the methods used in the video.

And I had much more success. I really appreciate the support I've gotten, here.

One day, I'll make a part ONCE!

[Roadracer_Al]

Anthony, your mentor sounds like he was good with people. Seems such a rare thing sometimes.

Woodman, I'm sure that this board and others have one or more "favorite metal working books" threads. These threads are a gold mine: buy and read the well-regarded books on these threads, and read them repeatedly, with a year between readings. You'll be amazed at how what you get out of a book changes with your experience.

[Dr Stan]

Given that you're in Seattle there should be a vo-tech and/or community college nearby with a machinist training program.  

I just preformed a google search and came up empty, however I still recommend you contact an academic adviser at one of the campuses.

[wawoodman]

I've looked, as well. If there are any programs left, they're CNC, not manual.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.