Back when I started, I had to pick between learning manual machining first or jumping right into CNC. I went with the manual machines.

3 comments

3 Comments

Manual machines taught me the hard way. My first few projects looked like abstract art because I couldn't hold a tolerance to save my life. It built character, I guess, mostly the kind that involves buying more stock to start over.

willowh203d ago

My friend Ben tried to make a simple aluminum bracket on a manual mill last year. He spent three whole weekends on it and went through four pieces of stock. The final part was so out of spec his drill press wouldn't even fit through the hole. I totally get what you mean, jamie_carter87, about that kind of abstract art. He said the only thing he really learned was the quickest route back to the metal supply store.

willowh203d ago

I used to tell new guys to start on CNC because it seemed faster. Then I watched a trainee try to program a pocket on a CNC without knowing what a climb mill was. He crashed the tool so hard it sounded like a gunshot. That was a five hundred dollar lesson in why you need to feel the cut first. I mean, you can't fix what you don't understand, and a manual machine makes you understand real quick.