Just a simple turning between centers project. Im simply using a manual lathe to do it.

The lathe im working on has developed a horrible rattle when you put the lathe in forward or reverse gear. iv had the gear box fully apart, replaced all bearings, checked all shafts for runout, and the rattleing sound is still there. What am I missing? All the gears look fine to me, no missing teeth, everything looks to line up as it should.

I've been a machinist for a little over 10 years. I started in San Diego, then moved to Las Vegas in an aerospace shop, then spent 5 years in Michigan at various aerospace and commercial shops, and now I'm in North Carolina. I'm classically trained on mills but spent most of the 5 years in Michigan on lathes, worked my way up programming on Mastercam and Fusion, and ended up as a shop supervisor.

I've taken a major hit moving down to NC. I was hired for my skills programming and setting up mills and lathes. I basically have spent my time operating random pieces of equipment that I don't think will benefit my resume at all. The silver lining is I get paid slightly more than I did in MI and do about 10% of what I used to. No one seems to complain. I'm in the high 20- low 30/hr rate. The culture here is incredibly different though.

In any event I don't think I'll get any farther ahead unless I do something. Obviously changing jobs, but I want to work toward something higher level. As I see it, my direct options seem to be dedicated programming or in a supervisory role. I liked cradle-to-grave programming, where I'd program a part, set it up, program and cut fixtures or jaws if needed, run FAI, and then finish the run or hand off to someone else. That seems rare. It seems like programmers just want to program. My time as a supervisor really didn't feel like a good fit. Scheduling was good, people management was not.

I'm debating going to school for something. Certificate or degree. I'm not sure what.

\- An engineering degree will take a long time. It's been a consideration though. Mainly interested in process engineering. I might have had a way in as an applications engineer in Michigan, I could work toward that again.

\- I also thought about getting into quality, I ran into a great quality inspector in my travels in Vegas.

\- I could bolster up my programming skills, get more into Fusion and Gibbs.

I don't feel bored or stuck in the machining field. I'm confident I'll never cut every type of material on every machine or every new tool that comes my way. My problem is I feel like I need to prove myself capable of more, and I need to continue climbing. I don't want to stay maxed out pay wise or rely on overtime to get me by.

I'm not sure if or how often people end up in this crossroads but I'd greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks.

By any chance do you guys know a vendor that’s sells “inch” tooling in AliExpress?

Everything I seem to find it’s metric stuff.

putting this out here for anyone who may need it. i got a weiler lz280 recently that needs to be rebuilt. i didn't get any docs with it, but was able to find an old typewritten manual online that was mixed english/german and had some typos etc. - wasn't very readable.

i used a few ai tools to rebuild/refresh it to clean english, fix the errors, and add additional pictures/diagrams, instructions etc.

hope it helps anyone looking for one. will also be grateful for any errors you notice or might be able to correct.

Link: Weiler LZ280 User Manual

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Idk if this is the best place to ask but you guys would know id imagine!

Found this Grundig rpc 3000 set, the pick up is an electronic 840, and It is missing the headshell. From what I googled it is the same as the AF777 but I could not find anything in stock.
I don’t care about keeping it vintage.
What is the most affordable reliable mass produces headshell I can use for this pick up ?

Running some 6061 parts where the wall thickness drops down around 1mm and fighting stress relief after roughing.

Even with light finish passes the part wants to spring a bit once released from the fixture.

Do you guys usually unclamp and let the material rest before the finish pass or do you focus more on high helix tooling and coolant to keep the heat down completely?

Wondering what works best for you all on setups like this.

I need to machine the complete rounded face profile shown in the drawing, in one tool.

Smallest diameter: ~Ø5.59 mm

Profile includes multiple radii/rounded sections

Material: SS316

CNC turning, Siemens 828D

Requirement: complete profile should be machined with a single tool, preferably in one continuous operation.

What tool/insert geometry or manufacturer would you recommend for this? HORN, ISCAR, Tungaloy, etc. are all okay.

I’m looking for a tool that can reach the Ø5.59 mm area and generate the complete radius profile accurately.

I know this is a long shot but I'm looking to see if anyone knows of a line boring tool or milling head that could be used in a mag drill. We just received 30 tons of 3 inch plate with poorly burnt 2-1/16" & 2-5/16" holes. I need to find a way to ream these holes. I'd prefer to not use a hand reamer or grinder. I may be able to talk the company into buying a portable milling machine if the options are right. Looking for a cost effective solution.

Trying this here got down voted in Machinist 🫤

Got a box of what i assume are reamers for free. 10-15 of them.

Think they are worth anything?

Machine Shop Advice (software and CNC purchase)

Hello, I own a machine shop in Indonesia. We do a lot of engine reconditioning work such as crankshaft grinding, cylidnerhead grinding, changing liners, etc. We also do some lathe and milling works as well. My shop is doing OK however I think it is currently in a standstill in progress. My shop is still very old school; we still use pen and paper to write our invoice and do our bookkeeping. Additionally my shop does not have a CNC machine so we struggle with lathe work that customers ask that require us to make large quantities of the same thing. I am here to basically ask some advice:

1. Do you have any software recommendations to help my machine shop (especially for accounting and invoicing).
   
2. Is a CNC maching worth it; someone the other day offered it to me but it seems a bit too expensive for me.
   
3. Since I have very limited space in my current workshop I am actually thinking of opening up a branch; however how do you prevent corruption by opening up a branch. I worry that my employee would just pocket the payment since I would not be there to check. 

Thank you very much!