/r/machining

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Your place for machining, CNC, memes, and cool parts!

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What is r/Machining:

  • A place where people can share interesting footage, setups, parts, and more!

  • A place where people can seek feedback on their work and setups

  • A resource for tips and tricks, advice, and peer to peer learning

What r/Machining is Not:

  • A place to share or use any illegal software, or copyright-protected tools and content — Piracy of software will not be tolerated here.

  • A place to self promote — Feel free to post your videos and content in the community, but any strictly promotional content may be removed, please prioritize helping others and sharing useful content over using the subreddit for self growth or company promotion.


Rules

  1. Submissions must relate to Machining - All content in the subreddit must remain on-topic, and related to Machining and other similar topics. Some exceptions may be made to this rule, but this is on a post by post basis and may require contacting the moderation team first.

  2. Behavioral Guidelines - We want r/Machining to be a friendly and welcoming community. Do not spam, harass, insult, or use hate-speech at any time towards other users, even if it is in a jokingly manner.

Discrimination will absolutely not be tolerated. Wishing harm on others or encouraging self-harm or suicide, as well as the aforementioned behavior, is grounds for an immediate permanent ban from the subreddit without warning.

  • Self-promotion guidelines - Creating a post with the purpose of promoting yourself, your services or your own content is not allowed. In the situation that a user is requesting commissioned work, it is fine to respond and promote your services. If anything you post can result in the gain of ad revenue, followers, or other similar actions or monetary gain, it may be removed under this rule.

  • No Low Quality Submissions - Low quality submissions, general statements, and duplicate submissions may be removed under this rule.

    • All submissions Must have the following:

    • A proper title that is descriptive of the contents of the submission
    • A proper flair
  • For Image/Video Submissions:

    • A clear/non blurry image or video, coolant happens and can't be avoided at times.
  • For Text Submissions:

    • An appropriate body that contains a clear explanation of the problem or question

    Please remember to always follow the Reddit site-wide rules - This includes the following:

    As well as any other Reddit Policies.


    Important Links / Automod Commands (coming soon!):

    /r/machining

    23,930 Subscribers

    29

    Most cursed tool holding?

    Didn't have any jaws to hold on the ID of this part and had to go full stendo on the half inch 2 flute. It sounds exactly like you would expect it to. Had to do it this way so the jaws wouldn't interface with the bottom of the turret. You guys have any cursed tool holding skills?

    21 Comments
    2024/05/03
    03:11 UTC

    0

    Monthly Advice/Questions Thread | 05/01/2024

    Welcome to the MAT Machinist!


    Ask your machining related questions here if they aren't long enough for a full submission! Please keep discussion on topic and note that comments on these threads will not be moderated as regularly as the main post feed.


    Uses for this thread!

    This is a great place to ask about tools, materials, basic questions related to the trade, homework help, and more!


    How to set your userflair:

    Click here to find out how to set your userflair on mobile, or on PC.


    How to contact the moderators:

    You can contact the moderators via modmail here

    1 Comment
    2024/05/01
    04:01 UTC

    1

    Okuma mill X Axis probing

    0 Comments
    2024/04/30
    15:07 UTC

    9

    Deburring edges on a large quantity of flat stock

    We have a job we run regularly out of 3/8 x 3/4 CRS 1018 flat stock. Parts are about 7" long. We cut ten bars at a time on our CNC saw. There is another operation to deburring the cut edges of each part. We run about 5,000 PCs at a time and it has always been a manual operation. Is there any equipment out there that could speed up this process? Such as deburring equipment that could hit all four edges at once?

    22 Comments
    2024/04/30
    13:52 UTC

    3

    Manual Practice

    So I have authorization to use a manual mill at work. I'm not really a machinist, even though I've had basic safety training in school and got to program a CNC mill a few times.

    If I wanted to get "time in the saddle" to become more proficient at using a manual mill, are there any recommended textbooks or some other guidance on "projects" for me to cut my teeth on?

    6 Comments
    2024/04/30
    03:39 UTC

    9

    How can I cut a channel into a steel rod without purchasing a mill?

    I want to drill a 2 mm wide x 0.5 mm deep channel into a 2 mm diameter steel rod (as shown in the picture). It needs to be a clean cut, so I can't half-ass it using hand tools or grinders or anything. My gut instinct would say that this process would require a mill. However, I do not own a mill, and do not plan on purchasing one in the near future.

    I've heard that you're not supposed to use a drill press as a mill since the bearings are not designed for the lateral load. I'm assuming that is meant to say that a drill press should not be used in lieu of a mill for a job that requires a proper mill.

    I'm hoping that since this is a really shallow cut over a really short distance, that I could sort of skirt that rule. If not, how would you go about performing this?

    EDIT: Thank you everyone for the suggestions. My only concern with a file is how do you ensure that the initial cutting remains centered over the same point? Like, yes, I can file away a 0.5 mm slot in a few minutes, but the file might wander over the first few passes until it finds its groove (pun intended). Then I would end up with a hole that is oversized or tapers inward to 2 mm rather than 2 mm all the way down. Trust me, I'm happy to do this with a file I just want to know how to do it properly before attempting.

    https://preview.redd.it/d0b2zhbswhxc1.png?width=725&format=png&auto=webp&s=ce34f5dc611095a7214b21f81576e5c31538ffa9

    40 Comments
    2024/04/29
    22:37 UTC

    1

    How would I go about making this candlestick design?

    https://preview.redd.it/xr382chwifxc1.png?width=678&format=png&auto=webp&s=6ac20a38f92224c81c80ee29edc74d84e7ccfe82

    I got access to a mill and a lathe. For material I got one 40x200mm round bar to work with. Is it even possible to make with such a small piece of material? I'm really stuck and would love some guidance.

    4 Comments
    2024/04/29
    14:32 UTC

    2

    Polishing acyrlic

    So today i tried getting my settings right for polishing acrylic with a pcd polishing bit, after 2h or so of trying everything imaginable i cant get a better finish than this. It has small ripples in it but is otherwise very transparent.

    Tried different rpm, feeds, stepovers, depth pf cut, climb vs conventional nothing is working.

    Is there something i am missing? What is the trick? Or is my cutter garbage? Maybe the machine isn’t precise enough?

    12 Comments
    2024/04/29
    13:57 UTC

    14

    Inventor CAM can’t do profile roughing in this geometry

    What can I do to solve this problem ?

    12 Comments
    2024/04/29
    11:51 UTC

    2

    Titanium milling

    I have a titanium rod that needs to be cut into ring blanks and flat disks, the rod is about 7 inches long and I’d like to make at least 5 bands and 5 disks from it. What would the projected price on a job like this be?

    1 Comment
    2024/04/29
    06:47 UTC

    46

    Keyway broaching

    Broaching an 1.5” keyway

    3 Comments
    2024/04/27
    18:10 UTC

    1

    Drilling snapped drill bits, taps and hardened steel

    Mostly looking for suggestions (and recommendations in the UK) to get drill bits to drill out snapped drills and taps mostly, stainless and hardened steel as a secondary.

    8 Comments
    2024/04/27
    14:32 UTC

    4

    Job path and career options

    I’m 18 with an apprenticeship in manual machining. i’ve been doing actual work for a month now and I love every moment of it but im wondering where to take this as a career. I plan on staying at least until I get my red seal (I live in Canada btw) anyways I understand manual machining isn’t exactly flourishing and while I enjoy the hell out of it I want to what paths I can and maybe should take in my future!

    9 Comments
    2024/04/22
    01:20 UTC

    5

    Inventor CAM turning

    Hello, I am an university student and I have an assignment simulating a turning machine for cutting an object. The rod we have to use to cut the final product had a diameter of 40 mm and a lenght of 1000 mm, but the final product has a lenght of only 85 mm. I am looking for ways to cut the rod without wasting all the material. So I would like to know any ways I could cut the rod exactly to the point when the machine can start to perfrom profile roughing and grooving and not use face. Excuse me if the question is not very well put, I would be happy to clarify anything to anybody wishing to assist me with my issue.

    Thank you very much!

    2 Comments
    2024/04/20
    17:59 UTC

    0

    Question for resume

    I'm making my resume to look for some new machining jobs, and most of my experience is with 3 axis vertical mills and lathes, but I have a good amount in making programs for plasma cutters. What is a good way to say that is a skill I have without saying CNC in general?

    1 Comment
    2024/04/19
    22:19 UTC

    5

    First time in a machine shop CNC machine operator

    This is similar to another question/discussion that was started in this group, but I am in the greenest of the green group having never been involved in any manufacturing whatsoever and got hired to work as a CNC lathe operator

    This being the end of my first week I am physically and mentally drained, and it took all of me just to remember how to use basic controls and move the axis

    I did make some headway at the end of the week. I was able to move work piece set ups and devices and I tried to dial indicate but just found myself lost with every task that I did and I really want to learn this and I’m asking for anyone’s help .

    11 Comments
    2024/04/19
    21:37 UTC

    3

    First time in a shop! What should I research/know?

    My family has had a history with machining and welding, but I'm 22 only just now going into shopwork. I have rough knowledge on welding and machining, so I'm really green. First thing they said they are sticking me on is water jets!

    As someone who has never been in a machine/welding shop, what are somethings i should be studying and researching? If you have any good youtube vids for beginners as well, send em my way plz!

    6 Comments
    2024/04/19
    14:03 UTC

    4

    Cleaning an oil covered stone before dressing

    I have a stone that i found at work that hasnt been used in probably 10 years, completely covered in thick old oil. How would you go about cleaning it

    11 Comments
    2024/04/18
    15:21 UTC

    3

    Machining cast iron

    I’m looking at buying a cast iron wing for my the table saw in my home hobbyist woodshop. I’d like to add a router lift to the cast iron wing, but the router lift needs to be inset in the table. Do you have any idea what it would cost to machine an opening in the center of the cast iron wing 9-1/4”X11-3/4”X3/8”?

    5 Comments
    2024/04/17
    15:16 UTC

    4

    Inconel 718 lathe headaches

    I am currently machining some cylinders made from inconel 718. The final machine OD is 6.00" and ID is 5.50".

    The part is only lathe work.

    At the front of the part there is a .25" long area where we need to maintain a tolerance of 6.000" +/- .001".

    We receive this material in a 6.500" OD X 5.00" ID trepanned state. We then rough the material out. After roughout we let the material sit for 24 hours to stress relieve.

    We then do an intermediate lathe op where we go from 6.06" OD down to 6.004". Again, we let it sit for 24 hrs to stress relieve.

    Our final lathe op is from 6.004" down to 6.000" (+/- .001). We dont use chucks to fixture it. We use a piece of all thread with a washer and nut to put the part into compression. We compress the cylinder against a back plate which has a shallow ID boss to help center the part. We just barely touch it with a socket wrench to put a tiny amount of torque into the part.

    We machine the part and check the OD with blade mics. We check the part on the machine and the OD is good. We then take it out of the machine and the OD jumps .0015". We are then out of spec.

    We dont see this behavior from other materials. I am thinking that it is something unique to the Inconel 718 we are using.

    I am wondering if we should stress relieve the material. Any thoughts would be nice.

    13 Comments
    2024/04/16
    16:37 UTC

    3

    Thread dimensions needed for 5/16x14 thread

    Hey Guys,

    I'm trying to model and 3D print some joint protectors for my pool cue.
    The Shaft & Butt of the cue has a 5/16x14 Thread, which seems to not be any kind of standard thread, so it's not in Fusion 360 or Solidworks.

    This lead me down a rabbit hole of reading about threads, calculating pitch and angles and minor and major diameter and all sorts of stuff I have no clue about and that all in a measuring system I'm not familiar with.

    So here's what I came up with:

    Angle: 60°

    Gender: external

    Class: 2A

    Major Dia: 0.3112 inch

    PitchDia: 0.2648 inch

    MinorDia: 0.3266 inch

    Gender: internal

    Class: 2B

    MajorDia: 0.3286 inch

    PitchDia: 0.2716 inch

    MinorDia: 0.2510 inch

    My problem is, that even allowing for part shrinkage to a point where my part is 1mm oversize (0.04 inch) the internal thread is still way to tight. Are my calculations off? - I'm out of ideas what I'm doing wrong.

    Thanks a lot in advance for your advice!

    Edit:
    Here's a picture where it says what the "screw size" is ... and mine is stated by the manufacturer as the 3rd one in this picture.

    https://www.pooldawg.com/articleee/assests/pred_joint_500.jpg

    17 Comments
    2024/04/16
    06:28 UTC

    4

    What would I need to be able to machine 1-off bolts/fasteners in my garage?

    Sup guys. I work on motorcycles in my garage and snap a lot of bolts. Tired of waiting for oem fasteners to come in the mail and wanted to look in to making my own. Could anyone tell me a full list of equipment I'd need to be able to make the occasional one-off steel, torx head fastener in my garage? Is that even practical? Sorry if this is a stupid question. I know nothing about machining. Thanks.

    16 Comments
    2024/04/16
    05:25 UTC

    3

    DIN 69871 drill chuck disassembly

    I have a drill chuck with, I suspect, some swarf in the mechanism. The chuck binds up almost every rotation of the key. Does anyone know how I can disassemble one of these chucks so I can fix it? https://i.imgur.com/RABJ7gU.jpeg

    5 Comments
    2024/04/15
    18:59 UTC

    0

    Automated machining feasibility

    Hello, I'm a high school student currently working on a project. Part of this project involves creating the layout of a production section of a factory for 5 metal pieces that will then be assembled.

    The idea me and my partner agreed upon is to use different types of cnc machines to do so, one of which would be a cnc lathe with double tool turrets and double spindles. Our train of thoughts was that like this you could fix 2 different raws on the machine and work on both of them at the same time, and if either of them gets completed before the other, then that other longer timed piece could get its overall production time lowered by having two tools on it at the same time (for instance this could allow working on the inside and on the outside at the same time). This way we could reduce the overall time (one piece is still getting completed faster than the other, but that other one has its time lowered) while using less machines.

    Now, all of this in our heads would be regulated through a robot arm at the center of all the different machines, which would keep fixing, removing, and rotating pieces among all the machines but we're not sure if this is doable since neither of us has a lot of experience in this sector.

    some more info:
    -we dont need to actually program the machines nor the robot so at the end of the day the only thing we have to do is estimate time and create the layout, no need to take into account the fact that such a system would take weeks/months to be programmed
    -we need to produce each one of the 5 parts 100'000 a year, so that's why we want it to be automated.

    thanks for any help

    10 Comments
    2024/04/14
    12:40 UTC

    2

    Aluminum coin plugs

    Okay so this question might not fit here but I feel like someone can get me somewhere. I have a pontoon boat and the tunes are aluminum. The plugs to drain the tunes are plastic and have broken off when I tried to remove them. I want to get aluminum plugs for the boat but I cannot find any that are aluminum. Only brass and plastic. Is this something a machine shop could make me?

    13 Comments
    2024/04/13
    20:34 UTC

    0

    What's this machine¿¡

    47 Comments
    2024/04/12
    21:57 UTC

    12

    Is a "blank" the proper term for a workpiece before it goes into a machine?

    For example, I am requesting a quote for milling a steel workpiece that had already been cut by laser. If I wanted to refer to the part the machinist receives (i.e. before it goes into the machine), is there a word for that? ("Forging"/"Casting" wouldn't work here.) Could I call it a "blank", "stock", or "proof"; or is there a better term?

    Edit: I wish I could mark this post answered so I wouldn't waste anyone else's time, but thank you to everyone who commented!

    16 Comments
    2024/04/12
    15:22 UTC

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