Basic Machinist Instruction?

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
Messages
5,179
What options are available to get a complete newbie going with basic machine tools? Lathe, mill, etc. The local trade school does offer a degree program, but the "introductory 101" class is $600...

Can anyone recommend good books or videos that will show basic setups and processes? I'll appreciate any ideas you can come up with. I'm utterly ignorant.

Dave
 
Dave, you might like "Machining Fundamentals" by John R. Walker.

Seems to be a text for school but has a lot of well explained info basic and beyond. There are probably others.

ENCO has some books in their catalog.
 
Dave, Do you have a community college in your area? I have been taking night classes in Precision machining. Here they start with safety and lathe basics. It costs about $150 per quarter for 2 nights a week, 3 hours per night. The second quarter was mill basics and after that I am on "special projects" which means I can use the mchines for my own projects. Quess what I make there? Knives. Oh I made a 26 ton hydraulic damascus press too. Im waiting for class to start so I can finish my small wheel grinder I started last spring. On sept. 17th the surface grinder and I have a "DATE"
 
Man Bruce, that sounds great! Unfortuately for me, there's no such thing around here. One class here costs $600, way out of my budget.

ColoradoBoy, thanks for the title. That was enough to get me on the right track, found some books that are going to jump start my little efforts. (But not from Amazon - anyplace I have to get a password to buy something ain't getting my money. :mad: )

Thanks for the help, I'm still listening!

Dave
 
Has Chiro really departed? He had a lot of experience making knives with minimal tools. I think he may be hanging out at Knife Forums.com, where his handle is Dr. Steve, or something like that.

Seems to me there is at least one, maybe two more forumites who've made a significant # of knives, by hand tools for the most part. Not sure how effective a search would be other than finding people.

WHile I assume it is primaril focused on obtaining very cheap materials, tools, and machines, perhaps Wayne Goddard's book, "$50 Knifeshop" gets great reviews. I'm guessing that he passes on a lot of tips as he describes what the various pieces of equipment cost, and now to build them.

I'd check Barnes and Noble, and run a few good searches on the Internet. You might keep in mind, that a number of successful knifesmiths were fortunate enough to essentially become apprentices for knife makers, until they had the skills to go out on their own.
 
Here's another textbook that you might want to check out:

MACHINE TOOL OPERATIONS

written by Krar, Oswald, and St. Almond

published by Glenco (Macmillan/McGraw-Hill)

It's easy to read and has lots of concise information on everything from layout to hand files to measuring instruments to mills, grinders, lathes and many other machines.

ISBN 0-07-035430-8
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top