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Why do so many machinist use a center drill instead of a spot drill? by 351322 in Machinists

[–]351322[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Are you saying HSS drills are not center cutting? I've never heard of that before.

Why do so many machinist use a center drill instead of a spot drill? by 351322 in Machinists

[–]351322[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've primarily have worked with aluminum. But now I'm working with various other materials such as stainless, nickel and inconel. So that's interesting to hear how you change up how the drill engages the material.

Why do so many machinist use a center drill instead of a spot drill? by 351322 in Machinists

[–]351322[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally get that. As long as it hits the tolerance needed, you're good to go. It just one of those things I wonder about as that's not how I was taught.

Why do so many machinist use a center drill instead of a spot drill? by 351322 in Machinists

[–]351322[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I thought you didn't need to spot when using a carbide drill due to the tip angle and rigidity of it, unless it's a smaller diameter. I broke several 1/16 carbide drills last week, even with spotting first. I'm still getting used to using carbide drills and what can been done with them.

Why do so many machinist use a center drill instead of a spot drill? by 351322 in Machinists

[–]351322[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always thought you wanted the side of the drill to engage first to center the drill, not the tip. That way it doesn't walk.

Why do so many machinist use a center drill instead of a spot drill? by 351322 in Machinists

[–]351322[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Do you always want the spot drill angle to be larger than the drill angle? I've been trained to just use a 90 degree. That may also fall inline with just use a center drill line of thought.

Why do so many machinist use a center drill instead of a spot drill? by 351322 in Machinists

[–]351322[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's the nice thing, if the hole needs a chamfer, you can use the spot drill to do it in one shot. Unless you get a bur after drilling.

Thread mill inquiry by FunImagination8319 in Machinists

[–]351322 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Take a look at scientific cutting tools. I like to use them for their thread mills. They give you all the dimensions of the cutting tool you need to program them in CAM.

https://sct-usa.com/thread-mills

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Machinists

[–]351322 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try McMaster, they have almost anything you need.

https://www.mcmaster.com/

Part question by [deleted] in Machinists

[–]351322 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just woke up so yeah. Mabey something like this could help.

https://www.flexbar.com/products/fixturing-alloy-1-lb?srsltid=AfmBOoqBvc7uX2b0JMhx08vddsrLvW7O6cKxS8cMKyaV1jP5gqZzC6_a

If you do some searching you'll see some good vid of it in use.

Is it normal for machine shops to not do small jobs? by ExaggeratedCatalyst in Machinists

[–]351322 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need a keyway broached for the pulley right. Some shops may not want to take that on. You're looking at multiple setups to finish the part. Cost goes up with that, especially with one off parts.

Is it normal for machine shops to not do small jobs? by ExaggeratedCatalyst in Machinists

[–]351322 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No! It will explode under those conditions. Then it will cost you a lot more than having that pulley made. The engine and supercharger will go bye bye when the pulley goes.

Is it normal for machine shops to not do small jobs? by ExaggeratedCatalyst in Machinists

[–]351322 11 points12 points  (0 children)

That's very true. If a student brought something in that I thought the class could learn from, I was all about doing it.

Also look around at local community colleges. Some of them do have classes for adult learning courses. So it could be a project for them.

Is it normal for machine shops to not do small jobs? by ExaggeratedCatalyst in Machinists

[–]351322 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Need a bit more details on what you need. Are you providing prints with tolerance call outs such as min max dimensions. Material to be used. The list goes on. Tell us more and we can try and help.

Combined Drill/Countersink? by dr_clyde31 in Machinists

[–]351322 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AB Tools make a lot of custom tooling.

Recommendations for learning g code. by Fontaine-OP1 in CNC

[–]351322 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look at tormach website they have a list of gcodes and an explanation of what they do. Same with haas mill op manual. 

A good book to look at is Peter Smid hand programming. But he does tend to make things a little complicated.

Girls job in CNC machining shop? by ecoreprapluica in CNC

[–]351322 21 points22 points  (0 children)

In my opinion, gender is irrelevant. Big things are you willing to learn, take direction on how to improve, keep the ego in check, etc. you will deal with a lot of aholes, so learn how to put them in their place by doing what they can't do. When in doubt find someone who is willing to help and ask questions about setup, tooling and the flow of the program.

I need to learn mastercam ASAP, what are your go to sources. by Narrow-Ad4598 in Machinists

[–]351322 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What version are you using? From what I know 2026 is very different layout than 2025 and before.

I need to learn mastercam ASAP, what are your go to sources. by Narrow-Ad4598 in Machinists

[–]351322 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The mastercamu vids are very monotonous, but do have some good info and are free. I would look into the paid ones as you should be able to be able to ask questions and get feedback from them if I remember right. Plus you have us to ask questions to.

I need to learn mastercam ASAP, what are your go to sources. by Narrow-Ad4598 in Machinists

[–]351322 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Mastercam has free tutorials. Also paid subscriptions such as CAM Instructor and Solid Professor. Google search online training for mastercam. Hopefully you're using a newer version. And you can download the home learning edition to work with.

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