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Shop Talk - Tool and Shop Discussion! Tool and Shop Discussion! |
01-24-2016, 07:04 PM
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#1
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Name: AHall
Title: Hobbyist
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Slope, CO
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,603
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Cnc mill endeavor
Has anyone bought a Cnc mill for learning on and making parts? I was interested in buying something that could maybe someday allow me enough work to become self employed. I've been looking at Haas vertical machines.
This could be a fun hobby or a nice career path. I would imagine if a guy could find some niche parts the machine would eventually pay for itself and maybe pay the bills as well.
Any advice or experiences are appreciated.
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01-24-2016, 07:28 PM
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#2
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Name: YoungGun
Title: Floating in Nebraska
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Posts: 369
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With the right programming software you can start out making simple parts or set up a simple fixture to mill heads and exhaust flanges.
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2015 Chevy 2500...........slow
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01-24-2016, 07:39 PM
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#3
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Name: AHall
Title: Hobbyist
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Slope, CO
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Posts: 4,603
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This was my thoughts. I know of a couple "success stories" of a guy that started with a machine in his garage. Had a great idea for something that no one was supplying at the time. Fast forward a couple years. Now employs over 10 people and has over 10 paid for machines.
I'm certain this is a rarity, but I think it could be an interesting trade to gain for supplemental income. Small flanges, plates, simpler gun parts, etc.
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01-24-2016, 07:42 PM
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#4
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Name: rdix7991
Title: Grumpy
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Tifton (aka Notfit), Georgia
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Posts: 1,051
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Do you know anyone in the business that would sub out small jobs to you? That's the only way I see justifying such a large investment.
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2000 Dodge 2500 SB Ext. cab 4x4. SOLD
1996 12V RCLB 4x4
1989 D250 2wd P-Pumped
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01-24-2016, 07:51 PM
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#5
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Name: AHall
Title: Hobbyist
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Slope, CO
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Posts: 4,603
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I do know someone. I was planning on bringing that up at a meeting tomorrow. I see some smaller xyz machines for 35k new. And some larger used ones for under 25k.
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01-24-2016, 07:55 PM
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#6
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Name: Juiced_UP
Title: Rookie
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AHall
Has anyone bought a Cnc mill for learning on and making parts? I was interested in buying something that could maybe someday allow me enough work to become self employed. I've been looking at Haas vertical machines.
This could be a fun hobby or a nice career path. I would imagine if a guy could find some niche parts the machine would eventually pay for itself and maybe pay the bills as well.
Any advice or experiences are appreciated.
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Go for it. I did 8 years ago. Went out on my own and never looked back. I started in a 1 car garage. Now there are 12 of us. As far as machines go, Haas is a great machine to learn on. It uses a Fanuc based control that's user friendly and fairly easy to learn. Haas also has a great website for g code programming.
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk
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01-24-2016, 08:19 PM
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#7
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Name: AHall
Title: Hobbyist
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Slope, CO
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,603
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Juiced_UP
Go for it. I did 8 years ago. Went out on my own and never looked back. I started in a 1 car garage. Now there are 12 of us. As far as machines go, Haas is a great machine to learn on. It uses a Fanuc based control that's user friendly and fairly easy to learn. Haas also has a great website for g code programming.
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk
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Do you need any specific education for the programming or is it something that will just take direction and practice? Potentially a guy could hire a third party to do this portion until he was competent.
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01-24-2016, 08:47 PM
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#8
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Name: Juiced_UP
Title: Rookie
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Posts: 10
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When I learned to program it took me quite awhile. I had some good help too. When ever I would get stumped I at least had a buddy to get me pointed back in the right direction.
The worst part for me was learning each G code. Depending on what type of work you are interested in, the amount of codes are minimal. Just be prepared for some long nights. Lol
Like I said Haas has a great website and tech support when it comes to learning the programming . As far as using a 3rd party, I never have personally.
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk
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01-24-2016, 10:29 PM
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#9
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Name: AHall
Title: Hobbyist
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Slope, CO
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,603
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In your experience would it be smarter to buy a good older used machine or a new machine for more with a warranty or better financing options. I believe it would be wise to create a demand for a product you intend to make before you make the initial investment in the equipment.
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01-25-2016, 12:07 AM
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#10
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Name: not enoughsmoke
Title: floatin in tha gulf
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: tenn
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Posts: 5,730
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I bought this one 2 years ago and hope to have it working next month when i go home
http://www.competitiondiesel.com/for...d.php?t=150146
__________________
1995 F350 Powerstroke
1995 F350 Fummins
1995 F250 lightning clone
1968 Fastback GT
2003 F150
1994 F350 IDIT
1988 F350 IDIT
2003 Dodge 2500
1999 F250 Powerstroke
1993 F250 Fummins
1979 F350
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01-25-2016, 05:51 AM
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#11
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Name: ISBand4BT
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Knox, PA
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Posts: 1,604
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The best "starter" machine i have worked with would be a TRAK FHM7. They're big enough to do a head on, but small enough not to break the budget. Very easy programming and they will do a LOT!
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2016 Ram 3500 DRW- Deleted w/ RaceME Ultra
2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel - Deleted w/ Oz Tuning
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01-25-2016, 06:09 AM
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#12
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Name: zstroken
Title: For $$$ your name here
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Western Michigan(by the lake)
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Posts: 23,151
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I would think the programming wouldn't be the bad part, the knowledge of feeds, speeds, and cutter material would be a challenge.
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2008 4x4 Megacab, 68RFE
97 Dodge gone....
24V P-Pump Mafia member #1(retired)
Thanks to Mumau Diesel, Goerend Transmission, Northeast Diesel Service!
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01-25-2016, 06:59 AM
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#13
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Name: zfaylor
Title: Comp Diesel Sponsor
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: P-TOWN!, Indiana
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Posts: 5,024
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I had aspirations of learning on a CNC and then a buddy in the business brought up a good point: it is easy to crash and trash a mill in a hurry if you screw the code up a ton. That kind of strayed me away.
__________________
2015 half ton heavy chevy
81 Fairmont LS project
Many yard ornament projects...
North American Turbo
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01-25-2016, 08:10 AM
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#14
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Name: RonA
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Liberal ground zero.
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Posts: 11,058
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Used to be people learned how to machine first, then learned how to program. I've noticed that most seem to skip the first stage nowadays. Not judging, just stating my observation. Buy a machine to cut the material you plan on working with. All are not equal.
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55 years of work and all I got was a T-shirt.
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01-25-2016, 11:09 AM
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#15
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Name: AHall
Title: Hobbyist
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Slope, CO
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,603
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I agree an experienced machinist would be more ideal for getting an advanced machine. Seems not to be for the faint of heart.
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01-25-2016, 11:12 AM
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#16
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Name: Blueboy
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Posts: 993
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zfaylor
I had aspirations of learning on a CNC and then a buddy in the business brought up a good point: it is easy to crash and trash a mill in a hurry if you screw the code up a ton. That kind of strayed me away.
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That is why you stand there, turn down feed rate to 10% and watch
first part. The hardest part in programming is a radius. Most shops
use Master Cam or a similar program.
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01-25-2016, 11:28 AM
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#17
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Name: SHughes
Title: Too much is never enough!
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bellevue, NE
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Posts: 9,272
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I did some engine machining in high school and I wish I had been able to stick with it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joesixpack
That statement just reduced the collective IQ of the entire forum.
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01-25-2016, 11:47 AM
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#18
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Name: 97rada
Title: Too Much Time
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Posts: 5,410
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RonA
Used to be people learned how to machine first, then learned how to program. I've noticed that most seem to skip the first stage nowadays. Not judging, just stating my observation. Buy a machine to cut the material you plan on working with. All are not equal.
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I have been trying to learn as much as possible. It's really hard to find someone to teach you for free labor
__________________
Austin
tow truck- 14-3500 with tuning
toy truck -94 rclb auto- 5.2x with a lot left. Shooting for 4s
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex...it takes a touch of genius- and alot of courage to move in the opposite direction.
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01-25-2016, 07:58 PM
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#19
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Name: AHall
Title: Hobbyist
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Western Slope, CO
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 4,603
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Learned a lot of info today. Typical cost for machine and tooling, unexpected expenses, software, to expect to work 7 days a week 18 hours a day, etc. Also learned my father in law was a machinist for 18 years and taught classes at the local college in the cad/cam programs. His buddy still runs the manufacturing dept so we're gonna go down later this week to go through the Cnc machines. Also learn mechanical mills and lathes over a couple evenings. A guy falls into luck every now and again!
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01-26-2016, 05:40 AM
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#20
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Name: YoungGun
Title: Floating in Nebraska
Status: Not Here
Join Date: Mar 2012
Member`s Gallery
Posts: 369
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Mazak and Haas machines are great to work with. G codes and M codes are pretty simple to understand buy a basic code book and read it that's what helped me the most. Feeds and speeds are usually supplied by the tooling reps they will be your best friend when it comes to getting your money out of an insert or tool. Iscar, Widia, Kennametal, Mitsubishi are all good quality products.
__________________
2015 Chevy 2500...........slow
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