Hi all, I'm new to the machining hobby, and have found reading this forum very helpful.

I'm based in Fife, Scotland, and my background is in digital electronics and software. It turns out this isn't much use if you want to make physical things, hence the interest in machining.

Most of the projects I'm planning are related to brewery automation, things like bottle filling and labelling and so on. I've made a few prototypes over the years, and the mechanical aspects of them are woeful. So I've set about educating myself on forums such as this, and youtube, and started setting up my workshop.

I've had an SX3 mill for years, but only ever used it as a drill – I didn't really have a clue about milling when I bought it, I just liked the idea of the high accuracy table. I've now started milling some parts and am pretty chuffed with progress. Everything I need to do is in stainless, so perhaps not the easiest material to start with, but it's been fine so far.

I'm in the market for a lathe, so I might be asking a few beginners questions about them.

Jed