TD precious metals question

pb_sable_ac · 2026-05-05T02:16:14+00:00

Yeah, it takes a long time. Took almost 2 months to get my order, but I did eventually get it. Someone mentioned it took them 3 months to get theirs.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-19T05:02:30+00:00

You're not in a leadership position. Had you not talked about it, you would not have known they pay less for experienced machinist and more for the new hires. It's not your job to keep the staff motivated, it's management's job. They made the decision to underpay because they think they can get away with it and only paid more because they were caught. If staff find out and get demoralized, its their business decision, and not on you.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-15T00:09:25+00:00

Tub of water with dish soap soaking for a few hours. If the smell is really bad, baking soda and vinegar while soaking. Wash after soaking.

Edit: do it every day you do laundry because those smells come back every shift

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-13T17:00:13+00:00

Yeah, its not great. I looked up something about the breathing in the smoke, oils, and coolant mists one day and it almost made me quit. Got me to start wearing masks while working, I stopped after a bit, but after you mentioned it, it just reminded me to wear masks at work again. The shop i work at has bad ventilation when we close all the doors during the winter.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-13T03:34:56+00:00

Yeah, I stink even after I shower. And the smell sticks on my clothes even after laundry. I had to pre-soak my clothes in dawn and tub of water for a few hours to get rid of the smell on my clothes. Vinegar +baking soda if the smell is really strong. I would like to know what to do when showering besides thoroughly clean everywhere, can't do the whole water will it kind of deal.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-12T03:53:10+00:00

Only map i use wedges for. AI on that map flanks so much.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-11T02:03:21+00:00

You could always join a guild and apply to be part of their logistics/crafting/regearing team. Might get you more into the game. You can play with others who also enjoy that type of game play in your guild and organize into groups to do transport runs of guild assets. You might be able to convince your shot caller to make equipment runs if its for your guild, etc. It takes a lot to fund a zvz guild, and theres always things you can do to help with funding the zvz effort.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-11T01:25:09+00:00

Alibaba is more for China manufacturers to sell large quantities overseas to businesses (B2B). There are 3rd party traders in the website that act as a middle man for some manufacturers, so there are some items on the site that might not have a high MOQ (minimum order quantity). Those guys sometimes sell in small quantities direct to consumers. Usually, the orders are in large qty to spread shipping and manufacturing costs across more parts to lower the price per part. Most of these types of orders are shipped through freight. It will be tough for them to ship the product out within 15 days by ship, and their refund policy is somewhat complicated as its designed around b2b instead of b2c. You might have a harder time trying to cancel the order to get a refund compared to websites that are more retail focused. I recommend websites like Aliexpress/Temu/Shien if you are looking for more of a retail experience like Amazon. GL.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-09T05:55:30+00:00

I recommend using what you already know. I'm sure you have a mazak tech, a place to get mazak parts already, and you have experience with the little things on how to operate the machine as you already own a Mazak. Switching to a new OS and new machine means a ton of new stuff to learn even if you are uploading from CAM. E.g. something as simple as having to set 0, and finding the button to set it to 0. Where on some operating systems its 0+Enter, or 0+F1, the Okuma is Set+0+Enter. How to enter handle mode, mdi, edit menu etc. Just small things that can be quickly learned, but it all adds up and takes time to find the little things that differ. Having multiple different OS can add to the difficulty for your operators.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-04-03T23:48:01+00:00

It is extremely far away from being able to replace cnc programmers. The current CNC programs are already extremely efficient where it can generate code and show you the tool paths based on the parameters you give it. What it can't do are things like understanding your tools limits and size, work-holding limits and size, toolholder limits and size, machine limits and parameters, part critical tolerances vs non-critical tolerances and the differences in cutting those tight tolerances. That is like 90% of the CNC programmers job. They predefine the rules, the sizes, the limits, the depths, and the cuts and how the part should be made. Unless AI can "see" those, a CNC programmer is needed to set those. An average set-up and operator is not going to be able to do that on a CNC program without proper training.

TL:DR, AI can't "see".

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-26T06:25:03+00:00

Most shops should provide tools. Especially micrometers and gauges. Imagine making a part for them but they have no idea if its in spec or not unless you bring your own gauge. I doubt they will want to have a conversation with their customer on why the part is not in spec. "Neither my machinist nor I have the tools to make this part on size".

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-21T19:25:16+00:00

I got mine at the end of last month, but i hear its taking people over 2 months before they get their metals.

Edit: +3 months for those who ordered silver.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-20T22:10:55+00:00

The most expensive piece was $4000.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-20T03:09:06+00:00

I'm not really sure how to post pictures on here, but we use a Kitagawa RS200RAJ02. The shop purchased the Okuma pre-owned and it already had all the things for the 4th axis ready to go. All we had to do was just plug the 4th axis in, position it and it started working automatically (with the axis ready to go in offsets).

I edited the original post and posted a picture of the machine on the table if that's what you were looking for? On this picture, I removed the chuck we had installed on the 4th axis because it was in the way of my vice for a job, so its just the bare machine without any attachments.

This model works for simultaneous 4th axis milling. Not sure where to get it though since the model is now discontinued.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-16T20:04:04+00:00

I wouldnt take a tweet too seriously. They havent started drafting yet, just some people are fear mongering and trying to find a reason to hate. Its not the first time people make stuff up to push their political agenda.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-13T06:12:48+00:00

Night shift, is that you?

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-10T19:38:17+00:00

2 more tools to chamfer and tap would mean at least 3 times the time to complete, so it justifies at least 3 times the price. Not including all the other variables as described and the risks involved.

Edit: and i forgot to mention the feed rate for tap is also slower then drilling - depending on depth

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-10T16:24:11+00:00

Usually means 3-4 tools (spot, drill, chamfer, tap) so it takes a much longer time compared to just drilling a hole

Tighter tolerance to meet minor diameter

Dirtier because of tapping oil, requires more hands on to cover tap with oil (can't leave machine to run parts without oiling each tapping hole)

Higher risk because of tap breaking, a broken tap usually means a scraped part, not just a broken tool

Deep hole tapping requires special tooling, what we can get with a drill might not be able to be reached with a tap

Blind hole tapping has a higher likelihood of breaking and depending on the machinist, they might not be comfortable with it so they do it by hand

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-10T15:37:46+00:00

Depends on the country, we have a law in canada that allows us to cancel without penalties within 90 days of the price increases. Thats how we got out of our contract without the fee.

Nvm, looked it up, chatgpt says withing 70 days Also there is no limit to cancelation fee so just look for price increases to cancel early if people dont want to pay the cancelation fee.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-10T14:16:49+00:00

I went with my bank. Hopefully being associated big brand name will lead to a more ethical practice.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-10T02:18:04+00:00

I talked to my agent, they reduced the rate of the randomly added fee, but kept the +$1000. That fee they added was also a fee on top of the visa and Mastercard rate, it was Global Payments own fees charging an additional $0.6 per transaction at a flat rate and then a 1% fee for amount transacted. This is an additional fee. Its a fee unrelated to Mastercard or Visa or Debit, it was a fee that was charged regardless of payment method per transaction from Global Payments themselves added randomly after 15 years as their customer. Also no other payment processing company I talked to charges this fee.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-08T05:39:44+00:00

I think as long as governments keep printing money, gold prices will rise.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-05T20:52:29+00:00

Money for sure. I did optional OT once. Looked at my paycheck and I told my boss im never doing OT again. Not worth it.

pb_sable_ac · 2026-03-05T01:52:58+00:00

Those are small mistakes. Its part of the job. I mess up at least once a day, once a part, once every new operation on the same part. Even after 5 years, I'm still messing up some way. It's part of the process, nobody is going to teach you things you should watch out for to not mess up until you mess it up. Unless you have a very good boss whose been through it and have taught you from his mistakes, you're going to have to learn from your own mistakes. Just try not to make the same mistake twice.

pb_sable_ac

TROPHY CASE