Before the beginning: Where to start?

[jeffm]

So here's the case: I don't have a clue what I'm doing here. I like to make "stuff." I mess with sailboats and motorcycles, and expect to make a cnc router table in the very near future. I'm studying CAD software but have not made a heckuva lot of progress yet.
It seems like most guys start with a lathe, and turn things. I don't really know where the best starting point would be for me.
So I'm looking for some opinions about a first machine. Lathe, or milling machine? I've run a milling machine a tiny bit, on Plexiglas, in a short-lived job about forty years ago. I've never even stood close to a running lathe.
Any opinions (well, except maybe "Yer crazy..." :nuts: ) would be appreciated.

 

[Old Iron]

I think a Lathe would be the first machine I would get as a matter of fact it was. And from there it is a down hill slide soon you'll have more than you need. It is sickness and the only thing that helps is to buy another.

Paul

 

[Ray C]

OK, give us a clue of the first parts you want to make. List it all out -both stuff for the sailboat and bike. You do that and we'll tell you what machines you need to make it. That will get you thinking about how to start.


OK w/you?


Ray

 

[Tom Griffin]

Jeff,

The lathe is the perfect first metalworking machine. Using one is a great way to learn basic machining techniques and although the lathe is used primarily for turning round parts, it can also be configured to do most of the operations that would normally be done on a mill, like milling, drilling and boring. Depending on your location, lathes are also generally more available on the used market than mills, so it will be easier to find one. Look for something with "V" ways and with as much tooling as possible. The worst mistake you could make is to buy a bare lathe and then have to purchase all the tooling separately. You could easily wind up paying more for the tooling than you did for the lathe. Brands to look for are South Bend, Logan, Sheldon and Clausing. The Atlas lathes are quite plentiful, but are less accurate with their flat ways and much less rigid than the aforementioned brands. If you are shopping for a used lathe, Craig's List will be your best friend, but you'll need to move fast to get the good deals.

Tom

 

[jeffm]

@RayC - I think among the first thing will be about a foot long 2wd / 4wd shifter for my Ural Patrol http://www.imz-ural.com/2013-ural-patrol/. It will be primarily a round thing. The factory shifter is about 5" long and really awkward to use. Beyond that I honestly don't know, I'm just waiting for inspiration.

Everybody else - thanks for the input. I believe I'll be following your advice. Actually the very first machine I bought - already - is a HF horizontal bandsaw. I just read the thread today (a little late, huh?) and felt better about my decision.

 

[DaveD]

I'm more of a gearhead and do my own maintenance kind of guy so for me the milling machine is more versatile. Over the years I have bought tools that I finally realized I 'needed' to make reoccurring tasks easier. Took me 60 years to finally get a milling machine and then a few more to get the lathe.

The other problem for me is I typically had a mental list of the next 5 major wish list tools I wanted. As I got older the tools on that list also got higher up the price scale. I have also proved the old saying about the tooling for a mill or lathe will exceed the initial cost of the machine.

 

[Ray C]

So, here's my thoughts... If you stick with this you'll eventually need a lathe and mill and a few other machine shop tools like a drill press, bench grinder, tap & die set and the basic wrenches, screwdrivers and measuring tools. Everyone is different but with some folks, getting both at the same time is overload. One way to approach this is to think-up of all the stuff that can be made on a lathe and go that route. Spend a lot of time learning the basics of a lathe and make as much stuff as you can. Eventually, you'll find you need a mill and then it will be time to open that door. Start-out with the basics and necessity will dictate what you need and when.

Ray

@RayC - I think among the first thing will be about a foot long 2wd / 4wd shifter for my Ural Patrol http://www.imz-ural.com/2013-ural-patrol/. It will be primarily a round thing. The factory shifter is about 5" long and really awkward to use. Beyond that I honestly don't know, I'm just waiting for inspiration.

Everybody else - thanks for the input. I believe I'll be following your advice. Actually the very first machine I bought - already - is a HF horizontal bandsaw. I just read the thread today (a little late, huh?) and felt better about my decision.

 

[Bill Gruby]

You re going to see machines in your sleep soon. :lmao: Not a bad thing. I am going to suggest that you think of only one machine for the time being. That machine is the "Lathe". It will help you learn most everything you will need to know later on. Master this machine and you will be well on your way. Forget the other machines for now you don't need them. By your own admission you know little or nothing about machining. It is a fascinating hobby. Welcome aboard Jeff, look around, get to know folks. Find someone near you that is interested also. It is easier to learn when there is more that one. Above all Have Fun. ------ "Billy G" )

 

[jeffm]

So, here's my thoughts... If you stick with this you'll eventually need a lathe and mill and a few other machine shop tools like a drill press, bench grinder, tap & die set and the basic wrenches, screwdrivers and measuring tools. Everyone is different but with some folks, getting both at the same time is overload. One way to approach this is to think-up of all the stuff that can be made on a lathe and go that route. Spend a lot of time learning the basics of a lathe and make as much stuff as you can. Eventually, you'll find you need a mill and then it will be time to open that door. Start-out with the basics and necessity will dictate what you need and when.

Ray

Got a drill press, lotsa wrenches, digital and analog calipers, tap and die sets... Torch, cheapo wire welder, stick welder... Some pretty good woodworking tools and some not so good... Been a hacksaw fabricator for over a quarter century. I'm trying to upgrade the output here.

Jeff
Vietnam vet - Patriot Guard rider
sent from my Android phone

 

[Ray C]

Oh, well that's good.

So, for this shifter, have you drawn-out a sketch of exactly what it needs to look like? Even if it's something simple, make a sketch. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get confused about what you're making while in the shop. On more than one occasion, I've drilled holes or performed some kind of machine operation on the wrong side of a part. It doesn't happen too much anymore but, silly as it sounds, it's more often done than folks will admit.

Are there any strength requirements to be considered? Is this shifter driven by anything mechanical?

Sounds to me, you should be in the market for a lathe. What kind of space do you have? Are you looking for new or used equipment? There are many threads here about making decision about new or used -that question comes-up a lot.

You might want to look at the "stick thread" about safety and look at the stuff pertaining to lathes. Yes, you've got some mechanical background but all machines have their own special way of hurting you if you let them. -Might want to read a bit about it first.

Ray

Got a drill press, lotsa wrenches, digital and analog calipers, tap and die sets... Torch, cheapo wire welder, stick welder... Some pretty good woodworking tools and some not so good... Been a hacksaw fabricator for over a quarter century. I'm trying to upgrade the output here.

Jeff
Vietnam vet - Patriot Guard rider
sent from my Android phone