What type of information should be in here?

After reading the request/ideas that people have posted in this thread, I am having trouble raping my mind around a way to proceed. It seems to me that this website accomplishes dispensing the requested information. I love machines. So i acquired some, to begin with a lathe. The manual that came with the lathe was very instructional about how it operated. A machine shop text book borrowed from a friend complimented the machine by offering "how too's" on specific tasks. The learning has begun.........30 35 yrs ago I certainly knew nothing about computers and had no access to the internet. Knowing what I know now and the path my self taught education about machine work, I recognize that this form and other's like it would be a perfect place to bring questions, "like why am I getting this chatter?" or really what ever my specific problem was. Not to be a buzz kill, but in my mind this thread would be a redundancy of the forum it self, because the topic is so large. It will be interesting to see how we proceed from here.

Tim

Thanks for the information, really useful !

Here is my $0.02 worth. All of the posts have important ideas about where to start, the only suggestion I have is with some "Book Learning" . I picked up a copy of "Machineshop Operations and Setup" when the Florence, CO High School sold its shop machinery about 20 years ago. This book has become my "Bible" on machine shop tools-IMO it has an excellent section on lathes. Almost everything a "student" should learn is presented in this text. No doubt there are other texts that present the same data. The point being that the "Newbie" has a reference source that includes some "how to data". My father taught me some basics on his Clausing 100 MK III that I now have. After retiring I took a machinist course at the local Vo-Tech school and learned a whole lot more. Part of the grade in that class was making a spindle that had 5 different NC threads cut on it. There were specified diameters and distances between each thread size. The threads started at 1/2" and ended with 1". The project made us (we?) students study a sketch of the spindle then plan and execute the steps necessary to make what was given to us on the sketch. I was able to get a passing grade on this assignment.
Have a good day
Ray

Machinery's Handbook is probably 'THE' reference book for the pros. The price of this book (or CD) however might keep beginners from getting one.
Many people do not know about the Pocket version which is very reasonably priced. I have been using one now for 2 years and refer to it on a regular basis.
It should be considered a learner's best friend.

http://www.amazon.ca/Machinery-s-Handbook-Pocket-Companion/dp/0831129115

In response to the OP original question - What should we have here ?

Although its possible to search the internet and this forum you then have to sort and find the best info relevant to a newbie - sort the wheat from the chaff - with that in mind I'd find it useful if the following list of links was a sticky somewhere

Links to known definitive threads - ie this would cover FAQs - How do I knurl, How do I thread, First cuts on lathe, on mill, on shaper - etc
Separate links to known definitive u-tube videos, some people have limited internet access and simply cannot view videos on internet
Links to known definitive web pages
Links to known definitive newbie books,
Ditto Handbooks & Reference books


Bill

How about an explanation on the different angels on the carbide tipped cutters and what they are for.

A list of abbreviations would help. I know a few but with most I am lost.
Thanks for this, I sure fit this and plan to use it often. Ed

Applications for specific accessories. Things like an indexer. I have one but not actually sure what to use it for. Explanation of a taper attachment. A specific area for math as it applies to machining. Things like I am making a cutter bar for the lathe that will carry a carbide insert. I have to cut the are for the insert at 10 degrees down for a proper attack angle. I know I need to use trig to get that worked out, but there are probably quick ways of figuring this type of stuff out without a calculator. Things like that might be useful.

Keith Foor said:

Applications for specific accessories. Things like an indexer. I have one but not actually sure what to use it for. Explanation of a taper attachment. A specific area for math as it applies to machining. Things like I am making a cutter bar for the lathe that will carry a carbide insert. I have to cut the are for the insert at 10 degrees down for a proper attack angle. I know I need to use trig to get that worked out, but there are probably quick ways of figuring this type of stuff out without a calculator. Things like that might be useful.

Click to expand...

Are you referring to this type of Indexer? A Indexer is used to machine multiple holes or flats on round stock. A Indexer is much faster than a Dividing-head. Both are used to make precision parts.

The Taper Attachment is used to make long taper cuts on certain lathes. Once the angle is determined and set the cross-feed is disengaged, as not to tear out the nut or feed-screw. I think the angle is determined by the difference between the small and large diameters times the length of the taper. (Feel free to correct me, its been a long time since using one)

I hope this helps

Bill, I pulled out my indexer this evening and started looking at it. It's only got 24 holes in the front ring and does NOT have but one centered locating hole for the pin. Running the numbers it looks like it will to 15 degree increments only. I can see creating a plate that has holes every 10 degrees, but adding the top 10 hole ring may be more than I can figure out how to do the math on. I realize that the hole spacing would be X number of degrees off the closest adjacent hole to give you the required 1 degree increments but not sure what that spacing would be. With the fact that it has a fixed depth (it will not slide in and out) I am figuring that purchasing another one may be the route to take. I am also going to try to identify the rotary table I have and see if it had a plate kit for it to do gear cutting and the like. It's a horizontal table without an obvious method of mounting it upright. I Need to work on that and see if I can devise a proper and secure mounting system for it. I have two tables. One has a X and Y axis screw on it and the other is this heavy beast I spoke of. Of course figuring out a mount for a rotary indexing table is going to be more cost effective than buying one as this thing was probably a grand or better new. The spindex of course can be had for less than a 100 on ebay for the import ones so it's less cost effective to go through all the motions for it and still not have all the functionality that a new one would have.