Project ideas for new guy

[lwburnham]

I visit this forum daily trying to educate myself on any and everything about machining as I am just starting out. To be honest, most things on here go WAY over my head. I'm just not at that level yet....but hey, I have you start somewhere!!!

I'm not very creative so looking for ideas on a project that a guy new to machining could work on. Some simple, yet educational....then again, everything at this stage is educational for me!!

I have a small knowledge on the basics of lathe operations, a Smithy 3n1 machine with basic tooling, and about 8 hours or so a week to work on projects.

Any ideas?



Thanks

 

[Highpower]

How about a brain teaser? Something that you can impress your friends with, thanks to your awesome machining skills.

They can spin the nut up and down on the shaft all day long, yet it won't come off. But.... how did you get it on there?????
LOL.

 

[Old Iron]

Build a extra chuck key, You already have a pattern to work from and 2 makes it easier to set up a 4 jaw.

Paul

 

[lwburnham]

These are all really great ideas!

Thanks and keep 'em coming!!

 

[Highpower]

It's a great lesson in thread cutting.

"Bill Gruby"

It is indeed. That's why I suggested it.

 

[lwburnham]

Alot of great ideas here!! Thanks for everyones input!!

I wanted to comment to several of you, so I figured I do it all at once.

Lanny,

Here's a good beginners project if you have a mill that uses a draw bar.

http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showthread.php?3447-Draw-Bar-Mallet

Ed

This is a great idea that I am going to try. Mine may be slightly different as I'm not familiar with all the machining processes involved there.

How about a brain teaser? Something that you can impress your friends with, thanks to your awesome machining skills.

They can spin the nut up and down on the shaft all day long, yet it won't come off. But.... how did you get it on there?????
LOL.

View attachment 780

Brain Teaser? Its got me stumped...lol. I'm gonna guess and say that you thread the entire lenght, install the nut, then turn the threads off on the ends? Or am I way off base?

I'll add 5 books to the other good ideas.There's far more than these, But the 3 Machinist Bedside Reader books by Guy Latourd (sp?) The South Bend projects book avalible thru Lindsay Publications, And the George H.Thomas book, The Model Engineers Workshop Manual all have projects starting out from very basic to some real advanced ones. IMO, If your just starting out, I'd say the George Thomas book should be one that you really should buy. You'd learn a vast amount and a lot of forum posts will be much easier to figure out.

Pete

I appreciate the advice Pete! I'm always looking for books to read up on machining. I actually already have a couple of the South Bend books from Lindsay Publications, they've been really helpful. Now I'm gonna work on getting a few of the others. I noticed that the George Thomas book runs for $80+ dollars used online, must be a good one!

Hi Lanny, a couple more ideas:

A selection of Toolmaker's Clamps
Tailstock Die Holder(s) for the lathe
Extra T-Nuts to fit your machine's T slots
etc.

I know all of the above can be purchased, but in my 2 1/2 years of machining I have made all of the above and learned a heck of a lot about machining in the process. It is also very rewarding to use the home-made tools; they have a bit of character...

Also, depending on what your long-term interests are, there's always projects like simple wobbler engines, a rocking engine or a finger engine; they are fun to show off; I always keep one or two around in my office at work to amuse visitors (and to act as paper weights LOL).

HTH

Regards, Arnold

Thanks for the suggestions Arnold. I could use some more T-nuts and clamps for sure. The tailstock die holder is something that I haven't had a use for yet, but I'm sure I will.....although I haven't got the slightest idea how to go about making one...lol. I'm sure it'll come to me as my experience grows.


Thanks again everyone! If you come up with more, I'd love to hear em!

 

[lwburnham]

Hey Lanny I got an idea for ya, you could finish casting / machining my air cleaner cover!lol just messing with ya man...

I am going to have a t nut that needs machined as soon as my QCTP shows up... I am sure I am going to need some help figuring out these darn handle bar grips I thought I was good enough to make as well. I plan on spending alot of time with my knurling tool, gettings things just right with it. I would like to be able to make some stuff like chengdave does...

I do like the chuck key idea, I need one made for mine if your up to it!

Hey Mike -

Always giving me a hard time about that air cleaner cover....lol. I'm waiting to cast a new one because I honestly believe that one is way too far gone!!

I think the T nuts are doable. I do need a good chuck key, but haven't the slightest idea how to make one. I'm gonna wait till I get some more experience under my belt before I attempt that one...lol I've looking forward to trying a few of the ideas that members here have suggested.

Also, I looked through chengdave's album that was linked on the the other forum, he does some great stuff. I'm a LONG way from there....lol

 

[Highpower]

Brain Teaser? Its got me stumped...lol. I'm gonna guess and say that you thread the entire lenght, install the nut, then turn the threads off on the ends? Or am I way off base?

No sir, the shaft is the exact same diameter the entire length of the bar. The ends have never been threaded at all.
I'll give you another crack at it before spilling the beans....

 

[Highpower]

Ohhhhhh...... O-Kayyyyyyyy........

Lanny, have a look here.

 

[Highpower]

p.s.

I would suggest using something other than stainless for your first time out.
It is not the easiest material to work with.