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OtherGround Forum >> CNC Lathes and Machining, TME
| 11/12/12 1:17 PM | |
Cotton
327 
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48402 |
I have zero experience in this area and while I am not totally inept with tools I am far from an expert either. I found a part-time job that is a mile away from my house that I want to see if I can do it. This is for a CNC lathe operator. I have a full-time job, but I could make decent money doing this on the side and the place is less than a mile away from me. So does anyone here work in this field? How long does it take someone to grasp a machining trade with no experience? What are some good resources to learn about it, such as books or websites? What specially would be useful to learn about to get proficient at the trade? I’ve worked there two days so far last week at night and felt I was picking up on things quickly and enjoyed it. My friends and family always given me shit about not being handy, but truth is it bothers me because when they would do that it would just make me not want to do it even though I could. I am really interested in learning about this. Anyways, any help you bastards can give me would be much appreciated. |
| 11/12/12 1:22 PM | |
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KZTT_Dead Roman
Member Since: 5/14/10 Posts: 3965 |
I have some limited experience on a lathe but would certainly like to learn a lot more. Machine work is cool. 
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| 11/12/12 1:26 PM | |
Kamakosmo
57
Member Since: 4/20/12 Posts: 1799 |
Dude, you just can't walk up to a CNC Lathe and start using it. Of course, if someone does all of the programming and watches you like hawk for a while, sure. But I would never give you a bunch of parts that need to be lathed, smack you in the butt, and walk away. |
| 11/12/12 1:29 PM | |
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Mark1
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 45536 |
Start by studying these materials....
And see if you can find this. Its an older book published by Coromant. Its got a lot good stuff in it.
Mark |
| 11/12/12 1:32 PM | |
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SwampRocker
193
Member Since: 6/28/04 Posts: 25996 |
if you have zero experience, i would guess that is the same amount of chance you have at getting the job. those guys are quite skilled. |
| 11/12/12 1:34 PM | |
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Mark1
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 45537 |
SwampRocker - if you have zero experience, i would guess that is the same amount of chance you have at getting the job. those guys are quite skilled. None of them were born skilled. Many of them grew up in the shop sweeping floors. If you are smart enough and willing to learn, you may get hired as a part-time laborer or gopher and can pick up the trade. Mark |
| 11/12/12 1:37 PM | |
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Cotton
327
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48403 |
SwampRocker - if you have zero experience, i would guess that is the same amount of chance you have at getting the job. those guys are quite skilled. I already have the job and worked two days so far. It's only a part-time job at this point. I just want to get good at it so I have a trade to go along with my degree (business/marketing). If I got to the point where I could get paid really well I would consider doing it as a career. |
| 11/12/12 1:39 PM | |
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Kamakosmo
57
Member Since: 4/20/12 Posts: 1800 |
Mark1 -SwampRocker - if you have zero experience, i would guess that is the same amount of chance you have at getting the job. those guys are quite skilled. "Part time CNC Lathe Operator" probably does not mean "Willing to train you by having you sweep and get parts first, then will eventually bring you up to speed" They want a guy to come in and blast out Work Orders (my guess anyways) |
| 11/12/12 1:39 PM | |
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Mark1
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 45538 |
Do you know what RPM, DOC, f/rev, mean yet? Mark |
| 11/12/12 1:42 PM | |
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Cotton
327
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48404 |
Yes, I am aware of those terms. Thank you for the books. VTFU |
| 11/12/12 1:43 PM | |
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SwampRocker
193
Member Since: 6/28/04 Posts: 25997 |
Cotton -SwampRocker - if you have zero experience, i would guess that is the same amount of chance you have at getting the job. those guys are quite skilled. gotcha, good luck. there is always a need out there for CNC guys. |
| 11/12/12 1:44 PM | |
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Cotton
327
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48405 |
For any confusion to others, I already have been hired by this place for the job on a part-time basis to learn the trade. I have worked two 3 hour shifts so far. This is only part-time for 6-8 hours a week at this point and I consider it more "school" than anything else. They are willing to train me. I am willing to learn. |
| 11/12/12 1:46 PM | |
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Cotton
327
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48406 |
Heading out for a bit and I'll bump this when I get back. Thank you for any useful replies and for lulz replies as well. |
| 11/12/12 1:52 PM | |
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Mark1
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 45539 |
You'd be best served to listen and learn from the guys in the shop. You'd be surprised how much you can learn. Also, learn how to program as well. With a CNC machining background and a college degree, you can go lots of places. Mark |
| 11/12/12 1:54 PM | |
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Mark1
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 45540 |
Also, when you are done with school and have some CNC experience under your belt, shoot me a PM. I'll hook you up with some networks and some places to send your resume. Mark |
| 11/12/12 2:06 PM | |
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PatK
71
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 79975 |
Good luck. |
| 11/12/12 3:44 PM | |
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Cotton
327
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48407 |
ttt |
| 11/12/12 4:47 PM | |
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stobe
19
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 2613 |
You can check out the Practical machinist and CNCzone forum's, there is some good info there. Pay attention to what is going on, watch the G-code on the screen and try to figure out what its doing. Ask questions... |
| 11/12/12 11:07 PM | |
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Cotton
327
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48412 |
Thank you. |
| 11/13/12 12:46 AM | |
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Cotton
327
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48414 |
| 11/13/12 12:50 AM | |
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GucciGucciGucci
352
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 20642 |
60 Minutes did a show last night about companies needing skilled workers to man their production machines. After 16 weeks of training, new workers got $12 an hr + benefits Here is the segment: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50134943n |
| 11/13/12 1:04 AM | |
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Sliss_77
37
Edited: 11/13/12 1:07 AM Member Since: 3/24/12 Posts: 573 |
I'm not a CNC operator but I do lots of work at home with a manual mill and lathe, I also work for a machine shop and do repairs on the machines. You can get 'grunts' to run the machines. Once the program is written, and the machine is setup for the job, its a simple as clamping a new piece of material and htting the start button, then unclamping the piece when finished. Repeat 100 times or whatever. At our shop the operators may write a few simple programs on the fly, but generally the programs are all written by a dedicated guy in a different building, the operators just get the program off the network and put it on a flash drive to use. In our case the operators main job is setting up the machine (creating jigs, tooling, etc) which is half the battle, and making sure the parts are coming out properly by measuring with calipers, micrometers and whatnot.
Always look for ways to save a little time, its easy for companies/workers to get stuck in a rut the way they do things. Saving a minute or 2 per piece goes a long way, especially in management's eyes. |
| 11/13/12 1:23 AM | |
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Cotton
327
Member Since: 5/30/05 Posts: 48415 |
A "grunt" would describe me right now for sure. Pretty much that is what I did, run a machine that was already set up and repeat. |
| 11/13/12 1:44 AM | |
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Unicron
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 2046 |
You'll be really handy if you could lathe something in your house. |
| 11/13/12 1:44 AM | |
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Unicron
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 2047 |
You'll be really handy if you could lathe something in your house. |
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