Lathes spindles. Not necessarily a fascinating topic, but there’s no single part more important to the function of a lathe than the spindle. What is the lathe spindle? The spindle connects to the lathe engine’s axle through the headstock. It’s the part of the lathe that rotates – without the rotating spindle, a lathe isn’t
You’ve got a new mini milling machine. You’ve got the raw material. And you’ve even watched a few YouTube videos to get a bit more familiar with your new mill. If you’re really an over-achiever, you might even have read part of the user’s manual. But you still might be running up against a dead-end;
High-tech CNC machine tools offer accuracy and unparalleled precision to modern machinists. But for many machinists, especially ones working in a small workshop or even from home, one major problem isn’t the machine itself – it’s keeping everything else in order. Home workshops in particular are notoriously hard to keep organized. DIY craftsmen, whether woodworkers
Nothing beats the sheer power of freestanding industrial lathes. Larger models can occupy an entire room and handle parts with dimensions measured in feet, not inches. But while full-sized lathes are incredibly powerful, they often aren’t the best suited for smaller jobs. That’s where the benchtop CNC lathe comes in. Desktop or benchtop lathes are
A CNC router is a computer-controlled version of a handheld router. This automatic device specializes in cutting, drilling, boring, and milling a variety of materials. What makes the CNC router machine genuinely distinct is the fact that it works on lighter materials. CNC routers are typically aimed at machining softer, low-density workpieces like those made of copper and aluminum. And while the lower
Tap drill charts are a machinist’s best cheat sheet and how-to guide all in one. But to a newcomer, they might not appear to make a whole lot of sense. Add in some potentially complicated sizing systems, and even a simple tap drill chart might require some explanation. That’s what we’re here to do –
The world of woodworking is a world of its own. You’ll find different terms and different machines when it comes to cutting wood as opposed to cutting metals. Some tools can be used on both – some lathes and milling machines are easily adapted to both materials. But woodworking carries some terminology that can be
Interested in a machinist career but not sure where to start? Train to be a machinist at one of these top programs and join a rapidly-expanding field with nearly-limitless possibilities. What is a machinist? A machinist is one of the classic blue-collar jobs. A machinist is any person who operates advanced machine tools as part
Everyone has a different hobby. Some prefer to unwind and relax completely – a simple movie on the couch, or a bit of sports on the TV. Others prefer something a bit more strenuous. They might take up running, or cycling, or even just long walks or rambles. Other people prefer to do something creative.
As CNC machine tools become increasingly common in the world of manufacturing, more and more jobs advertise for CNC operators, or sometimes CNC machinists. What exactly do those positions require? What is a CNC machine operator, and what do they do on a daily basis? This article looks at the definition of a CNC operator
