The white beards, sliver backs, and grey wizards...

[Phrog]

For the last 30+ years I worked with my hands from the Marines to civilian life in aviation. I have always enjoyed working and getting dirty... putting in a hard days work. I wanted to learn welding and search and search finally finding a place that was not a community college or vocational school that cost thousands of dollars and 2 or more years. I was not looking to get certified just gain the fundamentals, use the equipment, and get direction and instruction from an experienced " white beard, silver back, grey wizard " that has done welding his entire life . I was able to go after work, on my days off, and some weekends... I paid for the time I needed and the use of his equipment and it was a fair deal. After 6 months and yet still a novice at MIG and TIG welding, I have a good base to move forward on my own.


My latest search for the same experience regarding conventional Lathe has not gone so well. I have found plenty of vocational and other schools that offer CNC Lathe... $10k+ and 1 to 2 years. It would be great to just buy an entry level lathe and make chips... However, I do not have a place for a lathe at this time.


The desire to take a piece of metal and machine it into something useful is a burning one. With all the skilled trades and those white beards, silver backs, and grey wizards out there it seems a shame that a person wanting to put in the time and money for such an experience as a hobby-machines can't be found. I have gone to many machine shops and was turned away, be it a liability issue, workload, or just no interest.... that it's a bit unsettling. It's been a long year in my search and I will not give up.


Perhaps a thread could be started with those white beards, silver backs, and grey wizards that would be willing to lend a hand and teach those of us that are deprived of the power of the Lathe and Mill.

 

[DMS]

It looks like they are planning a TechShop in the LA area. This doesn't necessarily give you access to a dedicated instructor, but it does give you access to the machines. IIRC, they had a deal a while back for free or low cost subscriptions for veterans; not sure if they are still running it.

 

[09kevin]

Perhaps a thread could be started with those white beards, silver backs, and grey wizards that would be willing to lend a hand and teach those of us that are deprived of the power of the Lathe and Mill.[/QUOTE]


Check out the mentors thread http://www.hobby-machinist.com/forumdisplay.php?f=199, maybe there is someone in your area willing to help.

Kevin

 

[Ray C]

For the last 30+ years I worked with my hands from the Marines to civilian life in aviation. I have always enjoyed working and getting dirty... putting in a hard days work. I wanted to learn welding and search and search finally finding a place that was not a community college or vocational school that cost thousands of dollars and 2 or more years. I was not looking to get certified just gain the fundamentals, use the equipment, and get direction and instruction from an experienced " white beard, silver back, grey wizard " that has done welding his entire life . I was able to go after work, on my days off, and some weekends... I paid for the time I needed and the use of his equipment and it was a fair deal. After 6 months and yet still a novice at MIG and TIG welding, I have a good base to move forward on my own.


My latest search for the same experience regarding conventional Lathe has not gone so well. I have found plenty of vocational and other schools that offer CNC Lathe... $10k+ and 1 to 2 years. It would be great to just buy an entry level lathe and make chips... However, I do not have a place for a lathe at this time.


The desire to take a piece of metal and machine it into something useful is a burning one. With all the skilled trades and those white beards, silver backs, and grey wizards out there it seems a shame that a person wanting to put in the time and money for such an experience as a hobby-machines can't be found. I have gone to many machine shops and was turned away, be it a liability issue, workload, or just no interest.... that it's a bit unsettling. It's been a long year in my search and I will not give up.


Perhaps a thread could be started with those white beards, silver backs, and grey wizards that would be willing to lend a hand and teach those of us that are deprived of the power of the Lathe and Mill.

I think you've found a good place to start. There are many folks here who share a lot of information. As for getting hands-on training, that's a bit more complicated due to a mix of many things -logistics and safety/liability concerns being high on the list. I have a small shop and my insurance forbids me from allowing customers to enter the work area. Also, accidents are common with new users and damage to life, limb and physical property are valid concerns. Simple mistakes even under close supervision are common and a simple mistake can have serious consequences. If there is no one near you who can overcome the hurdles, it might be worth considering getting a very small (low power), inexpensive lathe or mill and practice on your own. Any piece of machinery (even low powered stuff) can cause injury but, the chances of life-threatening catastrophic events with a very low power unit is vastly mitigated. In other words, you could get a nasty gash or possibly lose a finger tip -but it's unlikely that a 1/5 HP mini-lathe will rip your arm out of the socket the way a 1 or 2 HP machine is easily capable of. This is not an official rule but when it comes to stationary equipment like lathes and mills, anything that weighs significantly less than you do stands a lesser chance of being able to kill you. (This is not a hard and fast rule by any means but, I hope you get the picture).

I've been around this forum for a fair amount of time and there are many folks here who started-out this way. There are a variety of mini-mills and lathes to consider. I'm not the right person to ask about suitable brands/models of this smaller equipment but other folks here can and will offer their opinions if you ask. I scan many of the "new user" threads and usually respond to technical "how-to" type questions and there are many other qualified people here who do the same...


Ray

 

[cvairwerks]

Phrog: A couple of guys over on youtube are worth watching. All are pros and take you into their personal shops and give lots of hows and whys. These guys are woth looking at and other videos that pop up along side theirs can point you in many other directions. A good start is with Oxtoolsco, Tubalcain and lastly Abom79.​

 

[richl]

Look for groups or clubs in your area. Check the forum here for any groups in your area, meet other like minded individuals. Its probably the best way to. Get hands on instructions. Hth.

Rich

 

[The Liberal Arts Garage]

Look for groups or clubs in your area. Check the forum here for any groups in your area, meet other like minded individuals. Its probably the best way to. Get hands on instructions. Hth.

Rich

Do have long white beard , tend to supply old, outmoded advice, sometimes helpful advice,
and friendly encouragement.......BLJHB

 

[Phrog]

Phrog: A couple of guys over on youtube are worth watching. All are pros and take you into their personal shops and give lots of hows and whys. These guys are woth looking at and other videos that pop up along side theirs can point you in many other directions. A good start is with Oxtoolsco, Tubalcain and lastly Abom79.​

Thanks... I have watch all of them and others... It's one of the reasons I want to get into lathe work.

 

[toolman]

If you want to take a short drive east to Abilene, Tx. I can show you how to break stuff that you never knew could be broken. Probably not helpful, but it can be entertaining. :lmao:
Good luck on your quest!

 

[Phrog]

If you want to take a short drive east to Abilene, Tx. I can show you how to break stuff that you never knew could be broken. Probably not helpful, but it can be entertaining. :lmao:
Good luck on your quest!

If I get over that way I will be sure to PM you.... I am very good at breaking stuff when needed...lol

- - - Updated - - -

I think you've found a good place to start. There are many folks here who share a lot of information. As for getting hands-on training, that's a bit more complicated due to a mix of many things -logistics and safety/liability concerns being high on the list. I have a small shop and my insurance forbids me from allowing customers to enter the work area. Also, accidents are common with new users and damage to life, limb and physical property are valid concerns. Simple mistakes even under close supervision are common and a simple mistake can have serious consequences. If there is no one near you who can overcome the hurdles, it might be worth considering getting a very small (low power), inexpensive lathe or mill and practice on your own. Any piece of machinery (even low powered stuff) can cause injury but, the chances of life-threatening catastrophic events with a very low power unit is vastly mitigated. In other words, you could get a nasty gash or possibly lose a finger tip -but it's unlikely that a 1/5 HP mini-lathe will rip your arm out of the socket the way a 1 or 2 HP machine is easily capable of. This is not an official rule but when it comes to stationary equipment like lathes and mills, anything that weighs significantly less than you do stands a lesser chance of being able to kill you. (This is not a hard and fast rule by any means but, I hope you get the picture).

I've been around this forum for a fair amount of time and there are many folks here who started-out this way. There are a variety of mini-mills and lathes to consider. I'm not the right person to ask about suitable brands/models of this smaller equipment but other folks here can and will offer their opinions if you ask. I scan many of the "new user" threads and usually respond to technical "how-to" type questions and there are many other qualified people here who do the same...


Ray

thanks for the info Ray

- - - Updated - - -

Perhaps a thread could be started with those white beards, silver backs, and grey wizards that would be willing to lend a hand and teach those of us that are deprived of the power of the Lathe and Mill.

Check out the mentors thread http://www.hobby-machinist.com/forumdisplay.php?f=199, maybe there is someone in your area willing to help.

Kevin[/QUOTE]

Kevin,
Thanks for the info... I will look into it

- - - Updated - - -

It looks like they are planning a TechShop in the LA area. This doesn't necessarily give you access to a dedicated instructor, but it does give you access to the machines. IIRC, they had a deal a while back for free or low cost subscriptions for veterans; not sure if they are still running it.

Thanks DMS

- - - Updated - - -

It looks like they are planning a TechShop in the LA area. This doesn't necessarily give you access to a dedicated instructor, but it does give you access to the machines. IIRC, they had a deal a while back for free or low cost subscriptions for veterans; not sure if they are still running it.

Who puts on the TechShop? What is IIRC?