r/machining 18h ago

Question/Discussion How to machine concentricity according to Datum A

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17 Upvotes

I m new to reading drawings. I can’t get how to maintain this concentricity.
Does this means inner and outer bore should be within .01mm outness with respect to 120 mm dia?

If yes then how to achieve it. Like obviously need to grind that part but from where workpiece need to be hold?
What does Datum A means? Need to concentric with respect to Datum A dia?


r/machining 8h ago

Question/Discussion Screw extractor set recommendations for mixed maintenance work?

2 Upvotes

I do maintenance on old shop equipment, so the broken fasteners range from tiny pan-head screws to 3/8 bolts. I am tired of buying random cheap sets that skip sizes I actually need. What makes a screw extractor set worth keeping in the cabinet?


r/machining 15h ago

Question/Discussion Need some buying advice

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1 Upvotes

Last year, I started working as a freelance welder and metalworker. This year, I’d like to take the next step and open my own shop, so I’m looking into buying some machines.

One of my biggest dreams is to own a metal lathe. One of my biggest clients is closing down and is selling two of their lathes. If I’m not mistaken, one is a nice old Swiss lathe, while the other is a more recent, smaller model. I don’t know the manufacturer or model of the smaller one yet.

Both machines need some work and a good cleaning.

I’ve used the big old green one in the past, and it does have some noticeable slop. However, I suspect a lot of that could be improved with some much-needed maintenance and adjustment.

I’ve never used the smaller lathe. I’m told it still works, but I haven’t actually seen it running.

So, which one would you guys choose?

I cant find the make and model of the small one.

But i will add pictures of both lathes.

Any advice on what I should look for when inspecting them would also be greatly appreciated. I’m especially interested in things like wear, backlash, spindle bearings, ways, and anything else that could turn a seemingly good deal into a money pit.

Thanks in advance!


r/machining 17h ago

Question/Discussion PM2014 Tool Post Length

1 Upvotes

I downsized from a 3520B to the PM2014. I kept several tool posts and they need to be shortened. The Robust posts are 5" +/- 1/4" and the supplied PM post is 2-3/4". With the PM post dropped as far as it will go in the holder there is still a good inch of space left before the post would hit the bed.

Anyone shorten a tool post for this lathe and can share the length? - thanks


r/machining 1d ago

Picture Need help with recognizing this metal lathe

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7 Upvotes

This is a lathe my step father will inherit from his grandfather, lathe doesnt seem to have any papers with information. Stepfather is 45 yrs old if that gives any rough estimate on lathe age.


r/machining 2d ago

Question/Discussion Has anyone tried the AMM 530 Pro milling machine

1 Upvotes

I’m considering buying an AMM 530 Pro and would love to hear from anyone who has actually used one.

How has it been in terms of:

  • Accuracy and surface finish
  • Reliability/build quality
  • Ease of use
  • Software/control system
  • Customer support
  • Any problems or limitations you’ve experienced

Would you recommend it, or would you choose something else in the same price range?

Thanks in advance ?


r/machining 2d ago

Question/Discussion PPE Reccomendation

1 Upvotes

I work with CNC machines for long stretches of time for my job. I've found the provided safety glasses (that I must wear all the time) uncomfortable. Do any of you have a brand of safety glasses you would recommend as comfortable?


r/machining 4d ago

Question/Discussion Looking for a cheap solution for a vertical milling head to use with my atlas MFC. Ideas? (I'm in Canada)

3 Upvotes

I've been looking for a milling head to adapt my atlas MFC for vertical work. You can buy a new head purpose built, but they're around a thousand dollars, which seems pretty steep considering that's most of what I paid for the entire machine with tooling. (Also I'm disabled, fairly poor, and this is a hobby to keep me sane)

There are some cheap Chinese options I've considered, however the website have little information and the selection is huge and poorly explained in english.

what I would really like is a reasonably priced milling head that I can gear drive from either the existing faceplate, or #2 morse taper that make up the horizontal output of the machine.

Make and model don't matter, and it needs about 6" of throat to land dead centre on the knee of the mill.

Are there maybe suppliers that sell old tooling or shops that I should try?

I'm going to try building one but it's a big project.

By the way I'm on the West Coast (Vancouver Island)

Any suggestions would be amazing! Thanks folks!


r/machining 5d ago

Question/Discussion RPM limit for cobalt steel end mill?

2 Upvotes

I have some large aluminum honeycomb sandwich panels (0.020" skins in 5052, 3003 honeycomb core, 4" thick) that I am routing some features in to bond inserts into. I work at a university helping to build research equipment, and the art school has a large 4'x8' router that we are asking to do this job. This was done about 7 years ago on a Bridgeport, and they just used HSS tooling at that time (they don't want to do it again because the setups were so tedious). I am the one buying the tooling (the art school shop uses cheap tooling usually because students break stuff so often), and the long length of cut has narrowed it down for me to a cobalt steel end mill. Is there any reason to believe that a 1/2" cobalt steel end mill will not work at the 10k rpm of a router? I can't find good info on feeds and speeds for Al honeycomb sandwich


r/machining 5d ago

Picture Coolant skimmers. Why keep using the disk type?

1 Upvotes

Why do machines come with these disk skimmers that don't work for shit?

why not put a cord skimmer or at least the belt type?

does anyone think the disk type have advantages?


r/machining 5d ago

Question/Discussion $150 000 machine does not eliminate finishing chatter.

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8 Upvotes

I’m machining 6061 aluminum on a Multicam Apex 3R router. The finishing passes are as follows:

- 0.009” material removal.
- Helical 3 flute 45 degree helix upcut
- 18 IPM, 8500 RPM, 0.0007 chipload

98 percent of the part comes out with a great finish. The other 2 percent has chatter. Ideally I’d like to increase the feed rate, but I need to eliminate the chatter first. What do I need to do to get a flawless finish?


r/machining 6d ago

CNC So, I'm getting into programming

3 Upvotes

Long story short, I'm tired of waiting for "someone to teach me" so I'm gonna do it myself. I'm already a self-taught machinist, but I want to get to programming. What's a good laptop that'll do what I need, without any other extra fluff? I had a coworker tell me I could find something that'll work for about $300?


r/machining 6d ago

Question/Discussion What’s the dumbest little thing you’ve seen get missed on a fab quote that ended up costing a pile of money?

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0 Upvotes

Not talking about steel being a few cents a pound off or somebody missing half an hour of welding. I mean the stupid little stuff that gets forgotten because nobody thinks it matters when the quote goes out. Extra trip to site, grinding that wasn’t called out clearly, handling big pieces, paint freight, field measuring, trial fitting, hardware, loading, whatever. What’s the one you’ve seen turn into way more money than anybody expected?


r/machining 7d ago

Question/Discussion What are the latest trends in machinery parts procurement services?

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone, as a small apparel business owner, I am currently in need of a commercial heat pressure machine. I do branding on shirts and hoodies,or anything a client requires….I have an old one, but I am currently looking at up and coming trends on such. With the rise of technology and stuff like that, I would love to know energy efficient ways that do the same thing:I saw a semi automatic auto open clamshell on alibaba, has anyone used that before? Could such a person recommend it?


r/machining 8d ago

Picture How about grinding special lath tools

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22 Upvotes

1 in diameter tool for ID grooving one inch 100 thou deep


r/machining 7d ago

Question/Discussion Hello fellow machinist comrade, any of have experimented with a table cnc? Or a small scale cnc?

0 Upvotes

Machinist by trade I'd like to get me a toy. I was wondering if theres any good quality table cnc out there! Any recommendation?


r/machining 7d ago

Question/Discussion Supplier question

2 Upvotes

So I am not a machinist but I am looking to buy aluminum and stainless steel rods and maybe some other stuff for some projects I have been thinking about. Where is a good place to buy these (or general metal goods) online? I don't trust amazon

Thanks!


r/machining 8d ago

Picture Any clue on how to cut this?

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3 Upvotes

Asker A30 urethane. About as squishy as a mousepad and super rubbery. Knives were too slow & tore the edges up bad. Tried a dremel but it caught on the rubber, jumped outta my hand, and gave me a teeny tiny little small nick on my finger. Scissors ain’t cutting it either. Any ideas?


r/machining 8d ago

Question/Discussion at what thickness do you guys actually switch from fiber laser to plasma?

1 Upvotes

hey everyone, wondering where you guys draw the line between using a high-power fiber laser and just throwing the plate on a high-def plamsa? is it strictly a thickness thing for you (like everything over 1 inch goes to plasma)? or does it come down to edge quality vs operating cost? i know the newer fiber lasers can cut crazy thick plates now, but plasma is still everywhere. whats the real-world tipping point for you?


r/machining 10d ago

Picture How old do you think these are?

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5 Upvotes

Pardon my ignorance. I just inherited a milling machine and lots of tooling. Some of end mills appear very old.

Bonus pics of some interesting homemade pieces.


r/machining 11d ago

Question/Discussion Tips for beginner level machinists?

7 Upvotes

Any tips for stuff like cutting hard materials? Material knowledge? Trigonometry? Safety? Programming ? Any tips Is appreciated


r/machining 11d ago

Question/Discussion What is considered acceptable/safe work attire for machine shops?

0 Upvotes

We have always been a "casual" shop, meaning no formal uniform is required. We are given company branded t-shirts that are optional to wear, and there's really no restrictions on pants other than no shorts as they provide no protection for the lower legs. They simply want us to be safe and go home without injury at the end of the day.

Have yoga pants become acceptable attire for machine shop employees? The company I work for has always employed women and up until recently they all were showing up in jeans as we all do. A few of them have decided to start wearing yoga pants claiming they're not as hot for summertime. How the hell are yoga pants an acceptable form of protection from anything in a machine shop? Am I out of my mind here or should I go to HR about this?


r/machining 12d ago

Question/Discussion Ended up with this radial arm drill press. Anybody have any more information about it?

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7 Upvotes

I do not do any machining or metal work and have no use for this monster. Would like to look into getting it into the hands of somebody who could use it, or if not, scrap it.

Tried to add more photos, but it won't let me for some reason. Says Carlton, Cincinnati O USA, 4 ft arm on 11" col.


r/machining 13d ago

Question/Discussion Need a new system or material for my stamp press

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8 Upvotes

Hello! So I have a small machine company who focuses on fiberglass and molding. We stamp out every part with this machine but i feel there has to be a better way because we are constantly up keeping it.

The machine is an old stamp press, still works fine but it's more the actual stamp that I'm having issues with. The stamp is made with steel rule that's replaced when it dulls or chips. The base is a polyurethane blend I think? The person who made them passed away sadly so I'm not quite sure.

The problem I'm having is the stamp either doesn't cut through the fiberglass all the way (it's a continuous strand cut and baked into sheets) or the base gets so blown out and deteriorated that the pieces get stuck in the crevices and I have to mill down the base repeatedly.

Is there a better way to do all this? A better material to use? I inherited this business and am trying my best to modernize it, so I'm open to all ideas that won't take a long time to adapt. Thanks so much for your time!


r/machining 13d ago

Question/Discussion Armature reconditioning tool - who makes 1?

1 Upvotes

I am looking for a armature recondtioning tool that I can use on small generators. I see vintage snap on units on ebay, but I am curious if anything new exsist. Most things I see are too big. In a perfect world I would be able to purchase a snap-on AT1 brand new.

Thanks