Just getting started. Aylesbury.

[beeza650Participant @beeza650]

…so after the round of “What’s it for threads?” I thought I’d better say hello officially 🙂

I’m 51, work in IT and I’m very bored with it. Over the coming years I want to sort of semi-retire into machining.

The idea being to make ends meet fixing things and doing (very) short production runs as well as indulging my hobby, classic motorbikes.

I’m starting from zero pretty much, no machines, no experience worth mentioning, just a healthy dollop of common sense and logical thinking.

I had been planning to get straight into it with a decent sized lathe and mill etc but two the two main things holding me back are space (3mx6m already quite full) and proximity to neighbours for the noise. I’m looking for a new house without those constraints but it’s proving tricky.

I’m now mellowing much more to the idea of more in the way of “bench top” machines to start with…in-fact more than mellowing. It’s the only way realistically I can make a start.

What I’d really like to is to take on someone’s hobby workshop in its entirety. That would really keep the costs down and get me up and running quickly. I wouldn’t retire from IT until I’ve built up enough skills so we’re probably talking 3 or 4 years down the line but I’m working as a contractor at the moment and seem to have big gaps between contracts these days.

Ok – that’s about it – wish me luck please 🙂

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The size of parts on your production runs are going to be the main deciding factor. If you want to make money then you don’t want to spend half an hour taking small cuts with a benchtop machine when a heavier industrial one will do it in 1/4 of the time.

Your other thread says a Hardinge may be a bit small so again anything over 11″ swing is not going to be a benchtop machine.

So decide what you really want to do and get the machine to suit the job.

[beeza650Participant @beeza650]

The whole bench top is a way to learn…and if the house move or whatever never happens then will be how it stays.

Production will be absolutely not the norm I hope. The idea is to cover the bills restoring, modifying and fixing things ideally.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Sounds like you need to get CNC machines from the get go. IT background you should have no trouble learning CAD/CAM and you are set up then for small runs or one offs.

[Martin Kyte]

On Martin Kyte Said:

Sounds like you need to get CNC machines from the get go. IT background you should have no trouble learning CAD/CAM and you are set up then for small runs or one offs.

I’m hoping the vast majority of what I do is fixing stuff though which implies manual no?

Looking at the market – manual and CNC mills seem to be a thing but far less so lathes (in my price bracket)

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

No reason you can’t use CNC to repair or recreate old parts and castings. Often it will be better for things like unusual threads, tapers, decorative profiles etc.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

As well as requiring less kit like rotary tables, dividing heads etc. You can even do thread milling.

[beeza650Participant @beeza650]

Hmmm…I just have this, probably naive view, that doing it all by hand is more enjoyable. Within reason, I’m doing this for the journey as much as the destination.

Not anti CNC at all. .just not at the expense of being able to operate manually too

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Welcome,

As you see already, this is the place to come for advice.

The size of machine will depend on what you want to do, and the budget.

Since you have limited space, you will need to plan your layout carefully.

If it is any consolation, I have a 12 x 24, and a small Mill drill in a 3 x 2 metre workshop. Cluttered and not for the claustrophobic or tidy.

Before you buy,read a few books.  They will help clarify your thoughts, and give some knowledge.

Start by just becoming familiar with the machine, merely cutting metal, then gain experience by making a few simple tools. In that way, you can make you mistakes on relatively cheap material, rather than something that cannot be replaced, or is expensive!

HTH

Howard

[Adrian R2Participant @adrianr2]

One way to make a start would be to investigate your local Men’s Sheds. Some have metalworking gear and people to show you how to use it, once you have actually tried to make something you will have a better idea what size and sort of machine you need.

[Author]

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