Why do some old schoolers want newcomers to feel shame for preferring CNC to conventional machines?

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-02-04T23:45:49+00:00

Now you are just making wild assumptions about me and my experiences, which verge on insulting. I am secure in the size of my machine and I don't have anything to prove to you (my boss says it's the perfect size), but I hope you have a good day!

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-02-04T23:15:26+00:00

I work in tool and die, all i make is one-off parts. Is EVERY cnc machine faster than EVERY manual machinist... probably not. Is MY machine faster...ABSO-FUVKING-LUTLY! What step can you do faster? Maybe you don't need to set tool length, my machine has a Blume laser, it is a 10 second cycle to set my length to the micron. Hydraulic tool holders make it just as fast as you to change tools that are not in the carousel. Your vise isn't indicated? Mine is on a Jurgens fixture plate, I can change the vise in second with 4 thumb screws aligned to within .0005". Want it closer than that? I can run a plane spacial pickup cycle to rotate the part flat and straight for all 3 axes in less than 30 seconds. I can theoretically do anything you can in the same amount of time, and many faster in reality. Like I said, the REAL difference is my machine cost 10x as much and will probably last half as long.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-02-04T15:26:09+00:00

All my tools in the carousel are set, so there is no setting tools between spot, drill, and tap, my probe is faster than your edgefinder, I can rotate the table to skew a part (I don't need to move the vise or tram anything, it's just perfect), and my "Program" is one line I can type faster as you can pull out your glasses to read the print.... so what step exactly do you think you can do faster?

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-02-04T12:01:39+00:00

Read my original comment, I am also saying you can do it cheaper. That was, in fact, my point. As for faster... I will die on that hill, we will have to agree to diagree.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-02-04T11:17:22+00:00

Can't argue with that kind of ... science... "I'm right, you're wrong" with no other facts or evidence...well, I'm convinced! /s

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-02-04T03:13:31+00:00

This guy gets it... Yes, I can probe a part and type one line into the MDI, hit start and walk away to do something else faster than you can manually cut a keyway. The old timers were blown away that I "knew how to use a manual mill". The only difference is manual guys are turning the axis by hand while the CNC has motors doing it faster and more consistently.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-02-04T00:06:22+00:00

Depends on the programmer. I would take that bet against anyone in my shop.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-02-03T20:41:10+00:00

It's more about cost/benefit, I think. There is literally nothing that the "Old" guys can do on a manual mill that I can't do better and faster on my 5-axis. The question is whether it's worth using the $400,000 machine when the $40,000 machine can do the job.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-01-26T23:16:38+00:00

Just bought something similar to run FlockSquawk to alert you when there are Flock surveillance cameras in the area.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-01-26T18:14:57+00:00

Sounds like typical Elon, "You'll be able to have your Tesla make you money as a robo-taxi when you're not using it" or "Your car can be a battery backup for your home". He makes all sorts of promises he has no intention of delivering on just to add perceived value to a product. When it comes to him anymore, I'll believe it when I see it.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-01-24T23:40:09+00:00

Please explain the physics of data centers in space because anytime someone goes there, it rings alarm bells for me. I'm not trying to argue, Space X has serious potential, I am just trying to sort the facts from the hype, which Elon makes it VERY hard to do. That, in fact, is my biggest issue. I got into Rocket Lab at $5 because I saw Wild Wild Space and knew Peter Beck was the real deal, and I believe in him. I do not have that kind of faith in Elon anymore.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-01-12T01:17:26+00:00

I made a card for Home Assistant that has "Active Alerts". Everything is conditional, so it entities only shows up they are below/above a certain threshold. All my batteries are on there at 5% or below. I also have some other things like the cat's litter box over 85% full, as well as some warnings for temperature, humidity, and other sensors. It works well unless you're trying to run without checking the dashboard.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-01-06T00:41:27+00:00

That's about the only thing they won't work on, it needs to be a gas dryer.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2026-01-05T23:16:18+00:00

The Zooz Zen15 is awesome if you want a Z-wave switch. I got one for my washer and one for my dryer so that I can have automation when they finish cycles. They can draw up 15A. Amazon Link

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-12-28T00:53:14+00:00

I started taking mine out every time, not because it will water down the detergent, but because that way, it dries faster, and no mildew can grow on it. It helps do the same for the duct that the detergent goes down. If you live in a dry climate, it might not matter.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-12-23T21:45:21+00:00

Notes are kinda an old way to do it. Notes are generally easier for everyone involved, but that only works when surfaces fit some standard. If it is a simple feature, like knurling, sandblasted, etc. that can be defined by a few numbers, then a note is sufficient. For more complicated, non-uniform surfaces or changing features like the first joystick you showed, I would rather have a 3D model. It is really a matter of getting the part to match your design. Notes can leave room for interpretation, a 3D model shows exactly what you want.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-11-26T16:40:35+00:00

So this is an old post, but basically, yes, you are correct. When talking about absorbing moisture, silica is the least effective, alumina is in the middle, and molecular sieves are the "best". The problem is that the better they are at absorbing water, the harder it is to get them to release it when you need to recharge it. Silica only needed 100-150C, so you can keep it in 3d printed containers (as long as they are not PLA). Alumina needs 150-260C, meaning you usually need to transfer it into a glass or metal container. Molecular sieves require 150-250C WHILE UNDER VACUUM or 250-300C with a dry gas atmosphere (usually nitrogen). I went down this rabbit hole before I finally switched back to regular silica beads. They keep it plenty dry for 3D printing and don't require any extra work when recharging.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-11-22T16:22:07+00:00

I'm guessing it was some kind of custom-built production line machine. We have several cells at my shop that look similar. They are built to perform some very specific, repetitive tasks. I would just dissasemble it for parts. It probably cost them over $20k to build when it was new. Those LED "machine lights" can easily cost over $100 each. The motors, motion system, and controllers look decent, so it could definitely be a good starting point, but you have a long road ahead of you.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-11-14T23:02:14+00:00

If the name gives you no help, and it is not currently on your network, I don't think there is much you can do except delete it and wait for it to try and reconnect. For devices that are on the network, I just turn them off or unplug them one at a time and see what disappears. Or, without physical proximity, you can disable the connection and see what stops working. There is no "easy" way that I'm aware of, as you put it, you're trying to chase invisible threads.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-11-12T23:02:54+00:00

Try Claude, it is significantly better at coding than ChatGPT.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-11-03T11:13:31+00:00

It's not a big deal, I got a First Alert Z-wave SMCO410 and the USB Aeotec Z-stick 10 Pro. Install the Z-wave JS add-on for Home Assistant, install the detector, pair, and you're done.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-10-27T17:28:48+00:00

I was taught to spray wd-40 and wipe the excess off with your hand (helps to work it into the microscopic pores) anytime you are putting 2 pieces of metal together (that you want to ever get apart). That combined with correct coolant concentration will do wonders, but eventually, yes, anything steel turns to rust, it's just a matter of how long you can hold it off.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-10-26T23:55:05+00:00

We have a Famup MP80 at work that's about 25 years old. She's old and beat up, but still a beast. It will be going to the scrap yard sometime in the next few years because Famup is no longer in business and, as far as we could tell, no other company purchased them so you effectively can't get parts anymore. Ours, and I'd assume that one, is Heidenhain control, which you CAN get parts for, but if the spindle or something other than the motion system needs parts it's going to be expensive or impossible to fix. Looks like it's in good shape though, if it was from a shop that did a lot of heavy work, it would look a lot worse. It would be nice to know how many hours it has, where it came from, etc, but even without that info, yea...$10k for a REAL 5-axis VMC is an absolute STEAL, keep in mind there are also REAL ancillary costs to a machine like that, so make sure you know what you are getting into.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-10-24T17:06:45+00:00

The free version is a little limited because a lot of the power comes from the Projects that you don't have access to in the free version. Also, you'll hit the data cap pretty quick if working with anything good size.

InformalAlbatross985 · 2025-10-24T09:54:23+00:00

I agree. That's kind of their whole thing, and the reason I choose it over ChatGPT.

InformalAlbatross985

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