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Machinist - need some input please

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  • Sparsky

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    I’m thinking of changing careers. I have been in the communication construction field for 19 years and looking for something new. I’ve seen ads for a local company (COX Manufacturing) offering apprentice machinist positions and was wondering if anyone would offer any advice to me about the machinist field. I’m thinking if I go into this field I can use the knowledge in my other hobby to make pocket money in retirement. (I also collect and restore hit n miss engines and interested in making 1/4 scale models.)

    Any advice is welcomed, even if it’s to stay away.
    Thanks
     

    Sparsky

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    Engine pics as requested.
    5CBDA163-30A2-4A01-9008-772D079CDC05.jpeg
    999C5259-277E-456A-B245-50FD65970E56.jpeg
    0F92E60A-BBE3-4988-9E34-3621CA110443.jpeg
    384676B0-447A-45EF-943D-26AB01BDE507.jpeg
    F3001045-40AC-43F9-9A6C-A0258D2E92F3.jpeg

    I’m supposed to take possession of a drag saw this summer if everything pans out.
     

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    Sam7sf

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    Get a job as shop help and learn as you go. Or go to school. I’m more of a mill guy. If you ever have questions pm me anytime. You can get in a shop with no experience. Just need to give them your full attention and they will have things for you to do. Like filling coolant tanks, debur, delivery, ect.

    Learning 3 axis mill is easy and useful. Programming is easy to learn too. I have been out of the game a while by choice, but I can still help you understand how to set up a Cnc 3 axis vmc. Lol I’m opposite of you. I’m burned out from fabrication and am trying currently to be admin.
     

    Sparsky

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    Yeah I’m working 60+ hrs a week and my last meeting with the uppers they want to down size some of our support staff. I asked who’s going to pick up their tasks and they say it’s a supervisor function. I told them it’s about to be a manager function shortly after that.

    Don’t get me wrong. I get paid well for what I do, but I want to have a life other than work. Even on my off days you have to work at least two hours or you’ll end up on a report. When I ask HR about it they say it’s at the discretion of your leadership and if it’s a required part of the job you need to follow through. lol

    The other day I pulled a 23hr shift and was still expected to be in the office 6 hrs later. (I’m salary btw)
     

    Wildcat Diva

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    Get a job as shop help and learn as you go. Or go to school. I’m more of a mill guy. If you ever have questions pm me anytime. You can get in a shop with no experience. Just need to give them your full attention and they will have things for you to do. Like filling coolant tanks, debur, delivery, ect.

    Learning 3 axis mill is easy and useful. Programming is easy to learn too. I have been out of the game a while by choice, but I can still help you understand how to set up a Cnc 3 axis vmc. Lol I’m opposite of you. I’m burned out from fabrication and am trying currently to be admin.

    My 17 year old is currently doing both of those first suggestions.
     

    Wildcat Diva

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    OP, I just helped my son complete a PowerPoint on Machinist Career for a college class. I wish I knew how to link you to our PowerPoint.

    I can quote some stats from it.

    “The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that machinist jobs are slated to increase ten percent from 2014-2024.”

    “(BLS) ... projected that the number of workers training to be machinists are expected to be less than the number of job openings, which gives prospective candidates very favorable opportunities.”

    I am on the Gulf Coast in Brazoria County, so we were looking at maps in our area. The following slide relates to our area here.

    BJFy7B.jpg
     

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    ROGER4314

    Been Called "Flash" Since I Was A Kid!
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    Those engines are terrific! Thanks for posting the pics!

    Been working in and around machine shops all of my life and even as a technical instructor, had lots of metal working experience.

    Start your quest by defining what role you want to play in the machine shop.

    A machine operator loads and runs unfinished parts on a machine. In many places, a lead man does the setups then turns the machine over to an operator. Tooling jigs and fixtures made by the model shop are delivered to the machine where the set up is made.

    A production machinist does his own set ups then runs the batch of parts using the jigs and fixtures to hold the parts. This guy makes a bit more money. He will set the machine up, run a test part that is inspected. Once approved, the production machining starts.

    A model shop machinist sets up and runs small jobs to order for the production department and for engineering. These are small batches of experimental parts or parts for tooling. These people may also be referred to a "Tool & Die" machinists. These are highly experienced machinists and are paid well!

    CNC (computerized numerical control) machinists come in several varieties from operators who simply load and unload parts into the machine to those who do setups. CNC machines run off of programs prepared by people who design the automated programs for the machines.

    For each type of production, there are workers who wash, deburr or perform other tasks including material handling/fork lift operators.

    So....find out what appeals to you, first!

    Flash
     

    oldag

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    OP, if I remember correctly Cox is more "running machines" rather than more complicated machining, if that makes sense. Might be a good starting place for you.

    As far as home business, the equipment can be had at auctions (sometimes reasonably priced) but you need to know what to look for, how to evaluate a piece of used machinery. Could be a little expensive to set up a home shop with a good mill, lathe, etc.
     

    Sam7sf

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    it Is. I remember a vf2 for 3 grand. Early 90’s. Helped my old boss set that up. Ultimately another 7k into it and me learning how to change a tool changer with all its parts, repair the doors, windows, new boards in the back, new ball screws and ball nuts, new axis covers, new contact bearings for the z. The list went on.

    You can use a worn machine to find work for it, but be ready to dump money into for better jobs. I remember it wouldn’t interpolate a hole worth a shit when he first got it. Lol
     

    V-Tach

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    Bought a Vectrax Taiwan made 14X40 lathe with all the gentleman's tooling for $2500.00. Just the tooling was worth more than what I paid......He used it to barrel his own rifles for competition. He paid $6800.00 for the lathe new. When I bough the mill new....I paid twice as much for all the tooling than I did the mill......

    Used equipment can be a good buy.........moving it should be included in the cost....
     

    ROGER4314

    Been Called "Flash" Since I Was A Kid!
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    Cost of the tooling is a major expense when buying machine tools. Also consider that most of the industrial machines run on 3 phase current which is seldom available in residential areas.

    A friend in Tulsa started buying used machine tools and eventually opened up his own specialty machining business. He ran the business in the basement of his house until a divorce came up. He moved the machines to a building that he bought, ran it for a few years, then sold the business for $5 million. Now, he lives on a sailboat.

    Flash
     
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