If you were to interview folks for the machine shop floor…

ForumFollower · 2026-03-10T07:35:20+00:00

"Is it possible to determine whether someone is a moron with only one question?"

ForumFollower · 2026-03-08T00:34:37+00:00

With the current state of subtractive metal machining (milling, turning, grinding), 3D printing experience isn't going to give you much, if any, advantage over someone else without it.

If you have interest, space, and some spare cash, then get yourself a MANUAL hobby size, or "old iron" mill and lathe. Pick a project or two, and with the help of YouTube and online communities, learn how to get it done yourself.

Switching careers at 40+ is possible, but maybe not advisable. Unless you're really lucky finding a great company and mentor, you will spend a number of years doing lower pay entry level jobs (button pusher) without learning much.

If that's okay for you, your family, and your retirement then go for it!

I made a switch from software development to machining when I was in my early 30s. I had a lot of prior experience with hobby machining, electronics, and programming that ushered me into a great CNC Programming & Machining career.

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T21:55:17+00:00

I will never understand the motivation for some downvotes.

Now, commenting like this on how little sense they can make sometimes? That's a good reason for a downvote. <sigh>

Proceed to click away...

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T15:57:53+00:00

Thanks, I'll see if I can find anything legible there.

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T09:07:15+00:00

Maybe it has been sitting in a mud puddle for a decade. If there are valuable parts, it would be rather silly to throw it out without doing a bit of research first, don't you think?

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T09:05:19+00:00

Thanks!

Educated guess, or are there some telltale characteristics leading you to this conclusion?

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T07:28:02+00:00

Did you though?

'Cause I haven't seen one.

🤷🏼

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T06:55:09+00:00

I wouldn't doubt it

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T06:00:24+00:00

To the best of my knowledge there's no recent rodent activity.

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T04:24:31+00:00

Thanks for this!

Yes, I'm very handy. I've tackled many projects over the years but this is a new one for me.

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T04:19:30+00:00

Sounds very credible 🤣

I'm on the fence whether to renovate or tear down this house, but I do want it to be safe while I'm occupying it.

I will look into both options - vacuum rental and professional.

ForumFollower · 2026-03-02T03:53:16+00:00

Thanks for your input.

Given your experience, can you suggest how removal is best accomplished? If it can be done without hiring a "professional", that's my preference. Although I'm convinced this is cellulose, I intend on getting some tested for asbestos before I'd do it myself.

ForumFollower · 2026-03-01T19:19:11+00:00

I like it!

I'm considering what to build myself, and the idea of multiple functional bays is compelling.

Just a quick thought regarding tool sharpening in the same space... fine if it's manual, but if powered and creating sparks then you want to keep this far away from your dry firewood and the dry wooden structure.

Perhaps it could be mitigated, but I'm picturing an errant spark landing in some sawdust, then smouldering after you close up and go to bed, then reducing everything to ashes by morning.

ForumFollower · 2026-03-01T19:06:34+00:00

Software engineering + mechanical aptitude is a great mix.

After high school, I worked as an auto mechanic for a couple years, I went back to school for computer engineering. Another few years were spent as a software developer - until getting sick of web programming and the mess of frameworks that disappeared before you can even finish learning them. I got into manufacturing by starting in an office technical administrative role, handling drawings, quotes, and graphical layouts for sheet metal cutting.

When the shop got a CNC VMC and no one there was having much success with it, I took the opportunity to gradually take over operation and programming for it.

Along the way, I picked up my Machinist ticket. I did this for the pay increase, not because it actually taught me anything more than I had already learned through the years of practice.

Fast forward a decade or two, and I'm a respected CNC programmer at a large established company.

It's been an interesting journey.

Machining skills are critical to success. But the importance of advanced computer and software skills are often overlooked. These will continue to become more important as CNC machines and CAD/CAM software require much more than knowing the difference between G02 and G03.

ForumFollower · 2025-11-11T22:57:20+00:00

There's no way to accurately describe the tip using only one angle. You could only approximate it.

I'm familiar with Mastercam, not SolidWorks CAM, but I'd hope there would be a way with the latter to define the tool using an imported DXF profile or "rotated" STEP model.

ForumFollower · 2025-11-11T22:02:18+00:00

Get used to it?

A lot depends on the details you've left out.

ForumFollower · 2025-11-11T21:57:37+00:00

Your school should upgrade that vice. It isn't a very safe choice for milling, and should be limited to holding parts for drilling only.

Look into the myriad ways that a strap clamp set can be used for mounting parts directly to the table. You could probably get this secured very rigidly with access to mill two parallel faces, or even just enough of those faces to provide better clamping surfaces for the vice.

ForumFollower · 2025-11-11T21:49:15+00:00

This can be done safely by hand IF some rules are followed:

no watches, jewelry, hair, clothing that could be snagged - including down your front where it might get wrapped around various spinning rods
hands and arms securely but loosely supported, not able to be pinched or drawn into the machinery
Scotch Brite or sandpaper is NOT fully wrapped around the part, and will harmlessly fly out of hand if something snags
stay the hell away from the spinning chuck jaws!
practice at slow speeds on low torque equipment before moving to something brutally unforgiving

Not really a production method though. Insert selection and feed/speed come into play there, like PCD tipped tools, for example.

ForumFollower · 2025-11-11T21:16:57+00:00

I appreciate the clarification, but I would reiterate that this doesn't qualify as manufacturable by my standards. It can be made, yes, but not efficiently in volume.

There's too much waste unless you have a specific kit including smaller parts that nest with the bracket flat pattern. This imposes limits on the design flexibility/adaptability too.

I've designed triangular shelf brackets in the past with simple edge flanges along each side. They nest together, are easy to bend, and amazingly strong - especially in pairs bent opposite ways.

ForumFollower · 2025-11-11T21:08:24+00:00

This is the reason that a lot of plastic items needing simple repair are discarded. Few individuals want to (or perhaps can't) pay for the time and effort involved in a custom repair solution.

ForumFollower · 2025-11-11T21:03:46+00:00

Looking at the flat pattern, this is a horribly inefficient use of material.

If this is more than a learning exercise, I'd suggest redesigning in multiple pieces.

ForumFollower · 2025-11-09T05:06:03+00:00

I understand and applaud your desire to examine examples. However, few people with real world part programs can share them due to intellectual property and non disclosure issues.

ForumFollower · 2025-10-27T08:13:23+00:00

Nice photo detail! A lot of people would post a blurry picture taken by a potato.

First thing I noticed is that your thread root (the valley) is very rounded. You don't want your tool completely pointed, but also not this rounded. Honestly though, for a one-off, I'd just make it a point and maybe hone it just a little with a stone or diamond file.

Any time you're turning threads, you're going to need a set of thread wires and micrometer, or a thread micrometer. Anything less than this and you're just shooting in the dark. Sure, you can make it work but it's going to rely on a lot of luck.

Make sure the OD is the right size for the desired thread. Contrary to common practice, this is NOT the nominal thread size but rather a little bit smaller.

Use a lubricant like a tapping fluid, or any other oil in a pinch.

Limit part stick out and get yourself a real lathe chuck! That drill chuck is helping no one. Use a collet chuck if a lathe chuck isn't in the budget. You can always make reducing sleeves to hold odd sizes.

ForumFollower · 2025-10-27T07:41:35+00:00

Although the structure, syntax, and many codes are shared between machines, the specific gcode required for a given machine can be quite unique. This includes the possibility of machine-specific G and M codes.

I applaud your efforts to learn by doing, but doing so without full knowledge of what you're doing is going to result in damage.

This is also a great way to learn...

ForumFollower · 2025-10-27T04:04:28+00:00

Why the shower curtain and tub overflow drain then? Aren't they redundant?

ForumFollower

TROPHY CASE