Beginner machining projects

[Braindead]

I know there are a lot of newbie machining students, like me, that lurk on this site. I thought it might be interesting to have a thread where the more experienced forum members could post projects to serve as learning experiences for those wanting to improve their machining skills with practice.

This is that thread

[Braindead]

After the excellent instruction I've recieved on this site, I thougt I'd try to make this as my first real project. I saw this on the PM site, and it really made me laugh. Supposedly, this is given to a beginner machinist, who is then told to go remove the nut. I just finished it today:



With nut removed:



The trick:



The challenge for the beginner is to figure it out, plan it properly, and execute the plan.

Have fun, I did

[dp]

Any time I need to know how to do something I check Frank Ford's site, first.

http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/Pr...aptivenut.html

This site should be in the national archives!

[Braindead]

Excellent!

A different solution, using threaded rod. I machined an integral post into mine.

An excellent project for a beginner.

[Walter]

Braindead,
Those are a great project, I've made many of them, at one time to make cash when I was out of work. I still have one or two laying around and one small one stuck on my key chain. Believe it or not, one of them once landed me a job.

One variety I did was sort of fun, I turned the ends only 10-15 thou over the minor diameter of the thread so that it looked like the ends were smaller and the nut could pass over. a little extra confusion for those trying to figure the puzzle out.

[Braindead]

Braindead,
Those are a great project, I've made many of them, at one time to make cash when I was out of work. I still have one or two laying around and one small one stuck on my key chain. Believe it or not, one of them once landed me a job.

One variety I did was sort of fun, I turned the ends only 10-15 thou over the minor diameter of the thread so that it looked like the ends were smaller and the nut could pass over. a little extra confusion for those trying to figure the puzzle out.

Hehe, good one.

I heard a similar story of a guy trying to get a job at a local machine shop, but after repeated attempts it was No Go. A friend suggested that he take his toy in and show it, and they hired him. Obviously, for a beginner it demonstrates some understanding of several basic skills.

For someone of my beginning skill level, and since I included an integral post, it was an excellent learning experience.

I would encourage anyone here with similar 'projects' to post here. Or, equally as useful, simple tools or useful fixtures that we beginners can cut our teeth on.

I'm not yet a subscriber to either of the magazines that sponsor this forum (still waiting on sample issues), but if they don't have one already, a column for beginner projects, as I'd hoped this might become, would be gggrrreat! (Tony the Tiger)

I have a second 'toy' that I'll be starting soon, and will post it here when completed.

[Walter]

Found some pics of the ones I made. Actually all of the styles I made. The last one you'll see is the one I made many of and sold off. Will post an idea for a nice project for you in another reply.

[Walter]

This little container I turned on the lathe. Mostly as a curious exercise in working with wood, but decided it would be nice to have a dependable place to store certain tools. To this day my threading stuff, fishtail and thread gauge, reside in this container. The wood was Ash IIRC, just a large dowel I picked up at the hardware store for a few bucks. I also cut a recess and inlaid a cork seal, then turned it down to size for a nice fit.





Have a QCTP? Consider not only a nice visual upgrade, but also a functional one. Never reach for a wrench again! The odd looking finish on the hex stock is filed crosshatch. That looked really nice.