Beginner needing advice on how to get started.

There's a lot of good advise here. If your end game is to do some gun smithing, you're going to have to go school either as an apprentice to a gunsmith or a gun-smithing school. I'm sure your relative can give you a good general education on machining, but you will need some very specific training. in addition to the other equipment mentioned in this thread, you need to aquire a copy of the Machinist handbook. It doesn't need to be a new one, the general tables and information it contains is what you will need. Refer to it often!!!! You will need a grinder of some kind to sharpen your lathe tools. I recommend a wet/dry tool grinder with mounted (5") diamond wheel on one spindle and a general purpose ceramic wheel on the other. Learn how to use files!! My first project as an apprentice was filing a block of steel square to within.005" (all sides the same size) many hours later I had a small cube that met that requirement and I was well acquainted with a file!. Of Course I had to learn to use rifflers, swiss, V files (like cutting screw threads by hand) but this all comes with extended learning. Another piece of equipment that would be handy is a small manual surface grinder (Boyar-Schultz 6-12 can be had for under $700) There's tooling that will be needed for that, but for making special cutting tools, they can't be beat! Get decent pedistal grinder fro off hand sharpening of drills and cutting tools.(those Harbor Freight jobs aren't worth driving there to get one)

Be patient when looking to buy you machines!! I've bought several machines and tools off that sight, but I had to be patient and wait for the "right one" Take your relative with you.. he knows what to look for you don't.

Good luck with your next career!
 
Just remember, it isn't work if you enjoy doing it.
I retired five years ago and now I enjoy it, part time.
 
Thanks for all of the advice guys! I can't explain how much I appreciate it!!

I'll start a new thread and keep everyone posted on how this journey goes!
 
10K would no doubt by some quality machines: Mill, Lathe, Welder, Plasma, Saw, Drill Press, etc. It has been my experience that would just be the beginning. Buying and building tools, buying and or building support equipment, and buying materials to practice on will equal or exceed that number before you become good.

I would think you would have an advantage over most in that you have a 'pap' that can save you a lot of time and expense by his teaching, lending, advice. Listen to him...
 
Once you decide roughly how big of a lathe then the question becomes buy used or new. That's a nice budget you're lucky to afford but that doesn't mean spending more than you need to get a quality machine. Another ace in your pocket is your Dad is knowledgeable so he could help inspecting used machinery. I would look into either a nice used Heavy 10L (2-1/4 spindle size) or bigger. For new check out Grizzly's G4002 or G4003. Many gunsmiths love those machines and they come with accessories you'll need down the road. As to going for CNC'ed lathe right off the bat, I'll leave that to the experienced guys. Good luck.
 
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