Mills & lathes: learning basics

[clen666]

Hi all,

I've been reading quite a bit on the forum and find it fascinating what can actually be done with milling machines and lathes, and would love to learn how to do the basics.

Can anyone recommend any guides or books to teach me the what you'd need to know to start out or do most people just learn 'on the job'?

Thanks, Graeme

 

[Pete.]

There are loads, and several lists posted up here in the past most with links to downloads. If you look for 'workshop series' you'll find a whole family of subjects.

Now, if you go onto youtube you'll find a lifetime's worth of how-to videos. The member here Doubleboost has dozens that cover all different aspects of lathe, milling and metal casting subjects too, if you can understand the Geordie twastard

 

[711jrp]

I'll second Doubleboost as a source of straightforward info, great videos
another couple to look up on you tube are Toms techniques and I really like Mrpete222 vids.

 

[stormin]

The Glacern machine tools vids on Youtube are a good start:-

http://www.glacern.com/videolounge

Prefer a bit of Keith Fenner myself:-

https://www.youtube.com/user/KEF791/videos

Not just machining but a lot of general engineering and fabrication from a very knowledgable guy.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Keith fenner of turn wright machine works is brilliant. Has a rather relaxing voice too

 

[clen666]

Great, thanks for the advice.

I was half expecting a 'search and ye shall find' response, I did try the search function on the forum but admittedly not very thoroughly.

I happen to be a 'Geordie twastard' myself (well close enough) so should make perfect sense

I appreciate the help and will have a look at everything suggested.

 

[shenion]

Yes, Keith Fenner, Oxtoolco (Tom Lipton), abom79 (Adam Booth), outsidescrewbal and Keith Rucker are all on my subscription list. Doubleboost is funny to listen to.

Good book is the South Bend "How to Run a Lathe".

Also the MIT TechTV videos are a good intro. Here is the first one: http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/142-machine-shop-1

 

[waddycall]

"The amateur's lathe" by LH Sparey (I think) is what I found most useful. The workshop practice series lathe books aren't quite as good but still lots of info to get you going. I think both books cover milling on the lathe so you can get the basics of both processes on one machine before investing in a mill!

 

[lchris21]

try and get yourself on an evening class at the local college. they will give you a good insight into getting going, also more importantly a good insight into the safety surrounding using such equipment. I don't want to preach to the converted, but they may look like fun things to use, and watching a pro use one can lull you into a false sense of security....................... but they are among the most dangerous tools in any machine shop, proceed with care and you'll have a whale of time !!!!!

 

[Grant]

mrpete222 on Youtube is really good I've found.

I also recommend the 'The Amateurs Lathe' and 'How to run a Lathe' books. You can get both for about £12 posted on Amazon.

 

[Rocketman]

try and get yourself on an evening class at the local college. they will give you a good insight into getting going, also more importantly a good insight into the safety surrounding using such equipment. I don't want to preach to the converted, but they may look like fun things to use, and watching a pro use one can lull you into a false sense of security....................... but they are among the most dangerous tools in any machine shop, proceed with care and you'll have a whale of time !!!!!

Very true using these machines should not be taken lightly.

You wouldn't believe how many people have been hit with chuck keys left in lathes. Sounds funny but it can do serious damage.

A milling machine was set in reverse when I was doing my apprenticeship and being a total novice I didn't even notice until the cutter hit the piece I was machining. I stood there like a stone in shock but thank god there was one of the old guys around to quickly come over.

Was watching the TV show fast and loud the other day and Aaron had just had a new milling machine and set about milling without safety glasses on! crazy.

 

[clen666]

try and get yourself on an evening class at the local college. they will give you a good insight into getting going, also more importantly a good insight into the safety surrounding using such equipment. I don't want to preach to the converted, but they may look like fun things to use, and watching a pro use one can lull you into a false sense of security....................... but they are among the most dangerous tools in any machine shop, proceed with care and you'll have a whale of time !!!!!

Thanks for the advice. I'd say I was reasonably safety conscious but obviously with unfamiliar equipment comes unknown risks.

I don't think I'd dare operate one on my own straight away, if only for the fear of braking something!

I'll look into college courses, would be good to get some hands on experience

 

[Pete.]

I just picked up some brilliant training books. Engineering Industry Training Board Turning 1, Turning 2 and Milling 1. If you can find these for sale anywhere they are worth having.

 

[Mr shiney]

I have a mini lathe which I have self taught mostly from YouTube. I have pretty much made all the mistakes, chuck key left in and hitting me in the face, crashing the tool post into the chuck, you name it I have done it!! Fortunately paid heed to the safety advice from the start and always wear safety gear.

It's been very addictive and am now ready to move up to something bigger!!

 

[Angusdog]

MIT video series on everything you need to know. I've watched them all and they're very, very good. And free.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Where abouts are you Mr clean?

 

[Wedg1e]

I have two lathes and two mills and taught myself everything I know I use the 'Workshop Practice' series of books plus L.H.Sparey's tome... and the internerd of course but more for stuff like thread dimensions. Machinery's Handbook is blinking useful as well, although ironically it's probably quicker to flick through the paper book than it is to search the CD-ROM version.
Had a few tool breakages over the years, wrecked a few workpieces but not done the tool: chuck thing or left a chuck key in either, probably because most of the lathes I've had have had chuck guards and/or spring-loaded keys.
Not a million miles from Durham either, Stockton... although according to the Post Office we're back in Durham ever since Cleveland ceased to exist...

 

[brightspark]

[quote="Wedg1e,
Not a million miles from Durham either, Stockton... although according to the Post Office we're back in Durham ever since Cleveland ceased to exist...[/quote]stockton is in durham county . it ends on yarm bridge where that is yorkshire