Hi Guys,
Let us not forget that what we do in our home workshops is generally considered to be archaic compared to to modern industry. Knob twiddling or not using the precisely correct tool is grossly in efficient to the company accountant because it takes too long.
For our needs, as hobbyists, if we can save some money by doing a bit of milling on a lathe and thereby save buying a proper mill, then that is all to the good. Clearly the accountants have a point, if we can afford a mill, then we can work more efficiently, but not everybody can.
Knowing how to do things from first principles is going to give the “untrained” amateur a good grounding in machining. It is very much like knowing how to do arithmetic, before being given a calculator.
How often have we heard that a designer comes up with something that can’t be made because he does not know how to make things himself (does not know his first principles)?
By using amateurs methods, namely a vertical slide on a Myford, of blessed memory, there are some jobs that can be done that just can’t be done on my mill. Take drilling accurately spaced holes in the end of rectangular bars. The longest I can fit in my mill is, maybe, 6-8 inches but if I use my Myford’s vertical slide I can drill into the end of several feet of bar!
So if articles are brought up to date, are we only going to hear how to write G code? I hope not! Give me all the old ways, as well as the newer ones, to expand my knowledge, not limit it. The more you know the more you can do, and vice versa.
chriStephens
who now steps down from the soap box, so that others can have a rant, if they wish.