Thatlazymachinist
Thatlazymachinist
Thatlazymachinist
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
ACCOMPANYING VIDEO FOR THIS SECTION:
1-A: DEFINITIONS
Machining:
Machine tool:
Group of machines, that incorporate at least one accurate linear axis of motion,
that are designed to remove a controlled amount of material from a part (either by
chip productions, by material fusion or by material vaporization) generally
referred to as machining.
There are several types of machine tools, the most common are: the drill press, the
engine lathe, the milling machine (vertical, horizontal) and the surface grinder.
Machine shop:
Precision:
In the machine shop, precision can be defined in two
ways: The amount of acceptable error that a part can
incorporate (tolerance) or the smallest amount of
material that can be removed on a part for a specific
operation (a surface grinder is more accurate than a
mill because it can remove less material per pass).
Machining is generally used for four types of industrial activities: Research and development,
mass production, finishing and repair (maintenance) work.
Some parts just can't be bought, and when that's the case, they are machined!
The challenge is making a perfect part, the pleasure is the road that you choose to get
there!
Long term planning, a sequential approach to problem solving, an innovative mind and good
spatial perception are the hallmarks of a good machinist.
In order to succeed in the machine shop, one must become competent in these four areas:
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#1: MACHINING
With a minimum of training, anyone can operate a machine tool. The challenge
isn't operating a machine tool, the challenge is being creative with machine tools.
A machine operator is concerned with one or two operations to perform on a large
number of parts. The operator often receives specific instructions concerning only
the operations that he or she will perform. This is good honest work, and quite
often it is the starting point for apprentice machinists. To advance ones career, a
machinist or toolmaker must learn to "see" the whole project and to understand
the entire sequence of operations. A good machinist knows how to operate many
different types of machine tools and plan a sequence of operations that will lead to
that perfect part. It's the difference between playing the violin and being a
virtuoso.
#3: SCIENCES
No one can be creative in the shop without knowledge. A person who is creative
in the shop without knowledge is called lucky (lucky that you haven't killed
yourself yet!).
Take the time to accumulate knowledge and experience. This course and the
accompanying practical videos will help you down that road. Take time to
learn, don't start by making crucial parts for your helicopter, because if
something goes wrong the consequences could be dire. Start by making new
bushings for your push lawnmower wheel, take the time to get a feel for
things and gradually work your way up. Creativity and confidence will come
with time.
#2: The dimensions and tolerances on a blueprint are the only ones that matter.
#4: The sequence of operations is crucial and must be planned out before cutting.
#5: Precision is quite often the result of successive operations. The more a part needs
to be precise, the more operations will be required to complete it.
#6: Every machining operation has the potential of destroying your part. The sequence
of operations must be planned in a way that maximizes your chances of success.
SECTION 2: SAFETY
ACCOMPANYING VIDEOS FOR THIS SECTION:
2-A: INTRODUCTION
Today's society provides us with a protective cocoon that, even if designed for our safety, can
sometimes help us lower our guard and become vulnerable to accidents.
In the seventies, minor hockey associations introduced new rules in order to reduce the large
numbers of facial injuries. It was logical to suppose that the introduction of a mandatory face
shield would reduce facial injuries. And it did!
Sadly though, the reduction in facial injuries was accompanied by an increase in neck injuries.
The hockey associations didn't foresee that the increased protection would also, since the players
were less afraid of injury, increase the player's sense of invulnerability and push them to play
more aggressively. People who do not feel fear when faced with a dangerous situation are a
menace to themselves and to others. Fear increases our level of vigilance and prepares us to react
quickly when something goes wrong. I think that it's safe to say that
NO FEAR = NO BRAINS !
A machine shop is not by definition a safe place to be. If used improperly, all machine tools can
injure and maim, some can even kill! If this does not inspire you to work safely and to be
attentive in the shop, well perhaps you have chosen the wrong trade. Even though I have worked
in shops for years and years, I still remind myself each time I approach a machine that I have ten
fingers and two eyes and that I want to finish the job with all my body parts intact.
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2-B: IMPORTANT WORK HABITS TO ADOPT
#1: We all try to catch things (with our hands or feet) that fall accidentally. In the
shop we have to get used to letting things fall and fixing the problems later. If we
get used to catching little things (pencils, glasses ...), it becomes probable that we
will try to catch larger or much sharper things (vices, steel bars, milling
cutters ...). A habit quickly becomes a reflex.
#2: Many of us have the habit of trying to stop (with our hands) a moving mechanical
assembly when something goes wrong. A classic example would be trying to stop
by hand a spinning lathe chuck that is becoming loose on the lathe spindle. When
something goes very wrong, here is a good way to control your instincts:
2.1: Take a step backwards placing your hands to each side of your
body.
2.2: Take a deep breath and locate the nearest emergency stop button.
#3: It is important to develop the habit of never adjusting a machine tool (installing
parts, installing tools & accessories ...) that is not turned off by at least two
switches. If you are repairing a machine its electrical feed must be locked out.
#7: Be aware of what is going on around you. You may be working safely, but is your
neighbour doing the same? You could be injured by someone else.
#8: Read up on, study and learn about a machine tool before turning it on!
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#9: Don't suffer in silence! If something goes wrong make some noise! Others can
help. If you are working alone have an intercom system on at all times. An
otherwise moderate injury can become disastrous if no one is around to assist.
#10: Never, never, never ever leave a chuck key in a chuck! Even for one second.
#11: Get used to holding chuck keys with the same hand that you use to start machines.
#12: Wait for a machine to stop moving completely before adjusting anything, before
cleaning anything or before removing anything.
#13: A machine tool must be adjusted and operated by one person and only one person.
#14: Never, never, never ever let your fingers (if you wish to keep them, other than in a
box) get close to a moving or rotating cutter!
#15: Never let an injured person drive or seek medical attention alone!
#17: Steel toe work boots or shoes preferably with anti skid soles must be worn at all
time in the shop.
18.1: Material should be easily torn and fire resistant, cotton is preferred.
18.2: Loose fitting clothes that can become entangled in machine parts
must be avoided.
18.3: Long sleeves should be rolled above elbow, short sleeves are
preferred.
18.4: Pants must fall over top of boots or shoes, no cuffs and no shorts
allowed.
#19: Rings, watches, bracelets, neck chains, neck ties or any other accessories that can
cause or aggravate an accident are to be avoided.
#20: Long hair (more than two inches) must be controlled in a cap or bonnet. Pony tails
and braids are not acceptable.
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#21: As far as alcohol or prescription drugs go, if the law or your doctor says that you
should not be driving, you should not be working in a shop.
#22: The shop should be a fun place to be, but it is important to always remember that
it is a dangerous place to be, so roughhousing and pranks are not welcome.
#23: It is recommended to never work alone in the shop, for home shops, an intercom
and letting someone who can check on you know that you will be working in the
shop can help keep things safe...
#24: Always follow the safety recommendations and instructions provided with your
equipment. If you do not have these documents, contact your manufacturer to get
a copy.
#25: Never render inoperative the safety features of your equipment. Manufacturers go
out of their way to make safe machines, when they incorporate a feature it is
because it is required!
#26: THINK FIRE SAFETY!!!! have your shop inspected by your local fire
department.
#2: Plan your move! Make sure that the path that joins where you are to
where you have to be is clear and clean. Prepare the objects final resting
place before you lift!
#3: Pain can change an objects weight! Even a relatively light object can
become "heavy" if it is difficult to hold. Things that have odd shapes,
things that don't have good gripping surfaces (very profiled parts) and
things that have sharp edges can surprise you since they are easy to lift
but difficult to hold!
#4: Lift with your legs not with your back! Your back must remain straight
and vertical when lifting.
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#5: Never twist your back! When turning during a lift it is crucial to turn
with your feet avoiding twisting your spine.
#6: Trust your brain more than your brawn! If you have any doubt about a
lift, use the appropriate equipment. Hydraulic tables, roller cranes, floor
jacks, overhead cranes, "A" frames and come along etc. are there to help
and are just as important as lathes and mills in a shop.
#7: Lifting heavy objects should be a solo job, communication problems can
make lifting in teams very dangerous. I generally recommend that you use
equipment rather than buddies. You can damage equipment, but you
can't kill it.
BENCH GRINDER
#4: Use the tool rest to stabilize your work part and maintain a safe distance between
your fingers and the wheel.
#4: Never use a milling vice on the drill press (other than a radial arm drill press).
Drill press vices are made to be light, easy to handle and stable even when not
clamped to a table.
#5: Thin parts, soft parts and large parts can all be snagged by a drill bit. What can
you do?
Soft parts: Brass, copper, lead and most plastics can get snagged by
the drill bit at any moment. Straight flute drills or
helical drills with small flat produced on the cutting
edges must be used for these materials.
Large parts: Large parts that are not fixed to the table must be
blocked by a fixed pin in order to eliminate any
possibility of rotation.
#6: Chips and debris left on a drill press table as well as poorly deburred holes can
destabilize parts and cause accidents.
#3: Never push on a part with your hand in front of the blade. If your part is too small,
use a band saw vice or other accessory that keeps your hand well away from the
blade.
#4: Thin section parts that are difficult to support (radiators, heat sinks) can be
snagged by the blade and should be cut with great care.
#5: In order to avoid pinching your fingers (very painful purple fingernail syndrome)
cylindrical parts should be stabilized with clamps or an indexable drill press vice.
#6: To avoid cutting your fingers because of a sliding part, notch the surface to be cut
before undertaking an angular cut.
#4: Disengage the feed transmission when using manual feed for cutting. This reduces
the wear of the gears and eliminates all possibilities of engaging the feed by
mistake.
#5: Long thin parts that protrude from the back end of the spindle must be contained
in fixed metal tubes in order to avoid bending the rotating part by centrifugal
force creating what resembles a lawn trimmer on steroids that can kill or maim.
#6: Check regularly that your chuck is still well fixed to the spindle.
#7: When polishing with abrasive strips, never let the strip contact the part on
more than half its outside diameter. If the strip contacts the full diameter it will
snag on the part and quite often tear your thumbnail off. When polishing inside
diameters, never insert your finger in the hole to be polished. Never! Mount your
abrasive on a soft wood stick that is notably smaller than the hole to be polished.
#8: Verify the automatic feed's speed and direction before getting close to the part.
#9: For novice machinist, it is preferable to move only one axis at a time, using both
hands to move each hand wheel.
#3: Verify that the tool is properly fixed in the spindle and that all unused axis are
locked.
#4: It is dangerous for novice machinists to climb mill. Use conventional or "push"
milling until you feel comfortable about your abilities.
#5: Ensure that your part is properly fixed and if you are using a vice, verify that
it is well fixed and properly aligned.
#6: Avoid accelerating your automatic feed for tool returns. Many accidents are the
result of an operator forgetting to lower the feed before taking the next cut.
#7: Get used to starting the cutter rotation long before the tool gets close to the
part to be cut. Large diameter tools or tools with few cutting teeth (fly cutters)
can sometimes give the impression of clearing the part when in fact they are in
interference.
#8: Never place a waste can, a stool, a chair, a cart or any such object near or next to a
milling machine that has automatic vertical feed because it creates a crushing
hazard. The same applies to your legs if you are sitting close to the machine
(always work standing up).
#9: Check, before starting the machine, that you haven't forgotten to remove the
wrench from the end of the spindle draw bar.
#10: Never place your hand under a milling cutter when removing it from the spindle.
#6: There should always be a blotter between the grinding wheel and the mounting
flanges of your grinder.
#7: The indicated maximum R.P.M. of your grinding wheel must be higher or even to
the actual R.P.M. of your machine.
METROLOGY PART 1
also
METROLOGY PART 2
also
METROLOGY PART 3
3-A: HISTORIC OVERVIEW
Most of our daily activities are controlled by some type of measuring system. The speed limits on
our roads and highways are good examples of the impact that
measuring systems have on our lives.
"On a certain Sunday as they come out of church, 16 men shall stand in
line with the left feet touching, one behind the other. This distance shall
be the legal rod and one sixteenth of it shall be the foot."
Averaging out helped, but more precision was needed and averaging had it's limits. Eventually
stable objects became the basis for most measuring systems. That is how a stone became the
standard for weight measurement and a bronze bar became the standard for linear distance.
Stable objects as standard helped uniformity, but these new standards had their limits. The
biggest problem was their uniqueness. Copies where made but even if much attention is taken, a
copy is never as accurate as the original and if the original is lost or destroyed, precision suffers.
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Today's standards are linked to physical reactions rather than physical objects. Stable and
predictable physical reactions solve the problem of unique standards. As an example lets look at
the one meter standard that is kept in Paris. The meter we use today can be defined by
comparison to that bronze bar (archaic system) or it can be defined by comparing to the length of
1 650 763, 73 wave lengths of red-orange light. The importance of developing accurate standards
can be seen in the evolution of industrial production.
- Before the 19 Th century, most parts were unique. This does not mean that two
parts could not be similar, it means that they were not interchangeable... if
something broke, replacement parts required a lot of adjustment, that is if the parts
didn't need to be made from scratch.
- It's during the 19 Th century that specific industries started using "in house
measurement standards" making parts produced by that industry or company
interchangeable, increasing part quality at the same time.
- It wasn't until the early part of the 20 Th century, and the advent of war, that
widely used standards became popular. Finally interchangeable parts from
different sources, something produced in the United States could fit on something
produced in England!
C: TOLERANCE
D: STANDARD
E: SURFACE FINISH
The fractional systems stems from a time when tradesmen where poorly trained in
mathematics and calculators did not exist. The reason being that it is easier to
perform basic math operations on fractions. Today, the fractional system is mostly
used to define nominal stock dimensions or accurate tool dimensions.
Please note that in Europe the decimal point does not exist in the metric system, it is replaced by the comma.
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3-C: LINEAR MEASUREMENTS IN THE SHOP
More often than not, measurements in the shop are linear measurements. Parallel surfaces,
inclined surfaces and profiled surfaces are all measures with linear measurement techniques from
a reference surface or reference point.
Example: In order to measure a cylindrical shape, we measure its diameter. Even if the surface is
curved, it is measured in a linear fashion. If the surface is an irregular three dimensional curve, it
will still be measured linearly with X,Y and Z Cartesian coordinates.
There are a multitude of different parts and shapes to measure in the shop and that is why there
are so many different types of measuring tools. Some measuring tools are very accurate others
are much less, what is important is to choose the proper measuring tool for the job at hand.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a measuring tool is the precision (tolerance)
of the part being measured. It might be tempting to choose the most accurate measuring tool for
all jobs. However a person using a vernier micrometer (accurate measuring tool) to measure a
rough casting is possibly damaging an expensive tool when an inexpensive steel ruler would do
the trick just as well since the rough casting has no accurate surfaces to measure
from.
SURFACE PLATES
STEEL RULERS
VERNIER CALIPERS
MICROMETERS (int., ext., depth)
VERNIER HEIGHT GAUGES
DIAL INDICATORS
GAUGE BLOCKS
SURFACE PLATES:
Surface plates are very flat and rigid tables made of granite or cats iron that are a reference
surface for accurate measurement, assembly and layout. Surface plates are massive but they are
to be used delicately since they are one of the most accurate measuring tool in the shop.
MICROMETERS:
Micrometers are the most accurate of the everyday direct measuring tools. A standard
micrometer can measure with a precision of 0,02 mm or .001". A vernier or digital micrometer
can measure with a precision of 0,002 mm or .0001". Obviously this supposes that you are using
good quality tools and that you are using them properly.
Micrometers are very accurate but they are also very limited. A micrometer can measure only one
type of surface and in 1" or 25 mm increments. You must use a 0 to 1" micrometer in order to
measure a 0 to 1" part and so on. That means that you would need to have several (at least 8)
micrometers in order to perform all the measurements that a 6" vernier calliper can.
There are three major families of micrometers:
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EXTERNAL MICROMETERS
DEPTH MICROMETERS
INTERNAL MICROMETERS
MICROMETERS 101
Height gauges are very versatile tools. They can be used for direct or comparative
measurements and as a layout tool. Height gauges resemble vernier callipers
mounted vertically on a very accurate base. The base stabilizes the tool when
used in conjunction with a surface plate and permits very accurate measuring.
LAYOUT: A point for scribing can also be mounted on the height gauge for
accurate layout.
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DIAL INDICATORS:
Dial indicators are mostly used in conjunction with gauge blocks as comparative measurement
tools. They are also used for tool and machine alignment such as milling vice truing and part
centring in a lathe four jaw chuck. In some cases they can be used as direct measuring tools.
CONTINUOUS-READING
DIAL INDICATORS:
PRECISION TEST
DIAL INDICATORS:
Gauge blocks are very hard and stable blocks that are very very accurate. The two measuring
surfaces of each block lapped and polished to an accuracy of +- 0,00005 mm for the most
accurate sets. The blocks accuracy is affected by temperature so they must be used at 20º C
(68°F)
+- 0,00005 mm
+ 0,00015 mm - 0,00005 mm
+ 0,00025 mm - 0,00015 mm
The imperial vernier calliper has two graduated scales. The first is the fixed scale and is
graduated in 0.025" segments. Four segments of the fixed scale equal 0.1" and 10 divisions of
0.1" equal 1".
The second scale is the vernier scale and it is divided in 25 segments. Each segment
REPRESENTS 0.001". These divisions don't measure 0.001"!!! This 25 divisions are equivalent
(in value only) to one division on the fixed scale.
In order to read an imperial vernier calliper you must first count all the complete divisions
visible before the zero line of the vernier scale. This first reading will always be a multiple of
0.025". The reading for the fixed scale of example A is 3.925". The reading for the fixed scale of
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example B is 1.675".
Once you have noted the reading for the fixed scale you must find the line on the vernier scale
that aligns with a line on the fixed scale. Unless the dimension of the part falls on a multiple of
0.025" (in which case the vernier scale will not be needed) the vernier scale will read somewhere
between 0.001" et 0.024" inclusively. The reading for the vernier scale of example A is 0.018"
and the reading for example B is 0.012".
The final measurement is obtained by adding the result of the fixed scale to that of vernier scale
A metric vernier calliper also has two scales the longest is the fixed scale and it is graduated in 1
mm segments every tenth segment representing 1 cm.
The second scale is the vernier scale and is graduated in 50 segments REPRESENTING
0,02mm each. The 50 divisions of the vernier scale are equivalent to one division on the fixed
scale.
In order to read a metric vernier calliper you must first count all of the complete divisions on
the fixed scale up to the zero line of the vernier scale. This first reading will always be a
multiple of 1 mm. The fixed scale of example C shows 16 mm and the fixed scale of example D
shows 53 mm. You must then add to the result of the first reading the amount shown by the line
of the vernier scale that aligns with a line on the fixed scale. This second reading will always be a
multiple of 0,02 mm. The final dimension obtained by adding the first reading to the second. The
reading for the vernier scale of example C is 0,34 mm.
Associate dimensions with scales: 0.006" 81,18mm 87,46mm 0.304" 8,94mm 4.023"
remember that the lines on an actual vernier scale are much crisper than these scans.
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3-E: ANGULAR MEASUREMENT IN THE SHOP
With the exception of profiled surfaces, angular surfaces are the most difficult to measure
accurately since angular measuring tools are generally more difficult to manipulate and since
angular measurements depend on the interaction of many variables.
PROTRACTORS.
VERNIER PROTRACTORS.
OPTICAL COMPARATORS.
SINE BARS:
3-F: GAUGES:
Many people are use to looking at measurements as being absolutes. Machinists know that that is
not the case and that all measurements have tolerances and limits within which the dimension is
deemed correct. This does not imply that parts with a loose tolerance (example +-0.01") are
inaccurate. All parts that respect the tolerance indicated on the blue print are equally accurate
whether the tolerance is tight (example +-0.001") or loose. Tolerances must reflect the end use
of a part, making a butter knife as accurately as a surgical scalpel would be a great waste of time
and money.
Gauges exploit the fact that all dimensions have tolerances to accelerate inspection and lower the
cost of quality control.
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Gauges are comparative measuring tools and most gauges give no indication of the actual
dimension of a part. All they do is indicate whether a
part is within the acceptable tolerance.
SECTION 4: BENCHWORK
4-A: INTRODUCTION
In the shop, the difference between an OK part and an EXCELLENT part is quite often related to
proper bench work techniques.
For the novice machinist it is important to become adept at bench work as soon as possible since
it is a good way to increase ones awareness of the properties of the material being cut. When
using bench work tools, the machinist is almost in direct contact with the chip production
(cutting) and that helps to understand how metal cutting works.
All you have to do is open a tool supply catalogue to see that there are many different types of
hand tools. Since this lesson is for novice machinists we will only look at the most common
bench work tools.
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ACCOMPANYING VIDEOS FOR BENCH WORK:
4-B: VICES:
Vices are used to immobilize and position parts so that they may be cut or machined accurately.
Since many bench work operations require that both hands be on the tool, we can say that bench
vices often serve as a third hand. Since there are many types of parts and many types of
operations to perform, it is not surprising that there exist many types and sizes of vices. The three
main types of vices are: Bench vices, drill press vices and milling machine vices.
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BENCH VICES:
Bench vices are available in many different sizes and weights. They are to be properly secured to
a work bench and are used to stabilize parts for assembly, punching, hack sawing, filing,
polishing, threading ... They are usually mounted so that their fixed jaw is just proud of the edge
of the work bench as to permit the holding of long parts vertically.
Characteristics of a good bench vice:
- A strong and rigid structure, a
good vice is made of forged
medium carbon steel (best) or
ductile cast iron (acceptable).
These vices have wide and stable bases which is important since they are often deposited on drill
press tables with out being fixed to them.
They are usually made of grey cast iron since the lateral
forces exerted on them are quite low and since this
material has excellent anti friction qualities when sliding
on steel. Grey cast iron is quite inexpensive which makes
these vices quite affordable and that is good since they are
the most abused and ill loved vices in the shop. For ease
of manipulation these vices are designed to be very light
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and that also makes them quite delicate and not very resistant to shock.
N.B. Some drill press vices can be used on their sides and even upside down. These indexable
drill press vices (photo) can also be used (upside down) as vertical band saw vices as seen in the
These vices are usually bolted firmly to that machine tools work surface. They are very rigid and
can exert a huge amount of holding force on the work part since the machine tools that they are
used with can exert a lot of lateral force on the part during the machining process.
They are massive rigid and very accurate since they must
be at least as accurate as the machine tool that you are
using them on. Do not be fooled by their size, these
vices are and must remain very accurate and must be
handled with great care.
N.B. Although one could use a dead blow hammer to loosen a machine vice's handle, it should
never be used to tighten one. The vice handle has been designed for the vice and handle
extensions should not be used so if the vice is having trouble holding the part get a bigger vice!
4-C: HAMMERS
Most people know that hammers are made to strike (hammer) things. The problem is that that is
all that most people know about hammers.
It is important to know that hammers are complex tools that are designed for specific jobs so it is
normal to think that there are many many types of hammers. Here are the three basic types used
in a machine shop.
These hammers are available in many different weights and each hammer has two very different
faces (striking surfaces). The first face is slightly convex and is used for punching, assembly and
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forming operations. The second face (the peen) resembles a half sphere and is generally used for
riveting and peening operations.
Here are a few suggestion for proper and safe use of a ball peen
hammer:
- Other than when peening, the hammer's movement
must not be pendulum like. This hammer should be
dropped (straight vertical movement) rather than
swung.
- If you need to hit harder, choose a heavier hammer! Always use a safe striking
speed. Use gravity to accelerate the hammer, not muscle.
POSITIONING HAMMER:
Lite and delicate, these hammers are designed for crisp energy transfer when
positioning without marring the surface being struck.
They are used when positioning work parts on machine tools. Rapid energy
transfer versus a parts capacity to absorb it is the corner stone of accurate
positioning.
These hammers are massive and are used to seat parts in machine vices
thanks to an internal cavity that is half-filled with small steel balls. The steel
balls movement when striking the part reduces the rebound problem by
stretching the strike time thus absorbing the excess energy that would
normally make the part bounce of the bottom of the vice. I guess we could
say that when action meets immobility, we have rebound and when seating a
part rebound is not good.
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4-D: PUNCHES
PRICK PUNCHES:
These punches have 40º to 60º points and are used to produce small indentations on the surface
of a part in order to position one of the points of a divider or to make an accurate starting point
for a centre punch or for producing a permanent layout.
CENTER PUNCHES:
These punches have a 90º points and are used to produce wide
indentations that are used to guide drills to a specific position
during a hand positioned drilling operation.
For drills that are 1/4" or smaller, the drill can be started directly in the indentations. A centre or
spot drill will be used before using drills larger than 1/4".
COLD CHISELS:
N.B. The end that comes in contact with the hammer will
gradually mushroom. It is imperative to remove any
mushrooming with a grinder. It is recommended to use a
heavy leather glove or a plastic hand guard when using a
chisel since your hands are not hammer proof.
4-E: FILES
Files are unidirectional chip producing
cutting tools! They are not abrasives and
cannot cut on the back stroke.
There exist a multitude of different
shapes of files ( flat, half round, knife
edge, round, rat tale, rifler .....) since the
file should conform to the shape of the
surface that will be produced.
A file's surface is made up of a large number of teeth. These teeth incorporate a cutting surface
and cutting lips that will engage with the part and produce chips by plastic deformation. Files are
unidirectional cutting tools, they cut from the tip of the file to the handle and no pressure should
be applied on the backstroke.
N.B. File are made from a very brittle tool steel and will shatter
if abused. This is very dangerous for your eyes.
Never use a file as a pry bar!
Never use a file that does not have a proper handle
Do not hit the file against a hard surface to clean it! Always use a file card.
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FILE TOOTH FORMS:
The choice of a file shape is quite simple. It must conform to the surface of the part being
produced. However the choice of the file's tooth form is much more complex.
Since this is an introductory course, we will only look at single cut and double cut files.
TOOTH PITCH:
The size of a file's teeth is a very important when choosing a file. Three factors must be
considered when selecting a tooth size.
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#1: The type of work can vary. A job that entails the removal of a lot of material requires
the use of large teeth (roughing). A job that entails the removal of a small amount of material
calls for the use of small teeth (finishing).
N.B. In order to work efficiently it is normal to use several tooth pitches to complete a job (from
roughing to finishing).
#2: La The hardness of the material affects the selection of a tooth pitch. It is best to
choose small teeth for hard materials and large teeth for soft materials.
#3: The size of the filed surface also affects tooth size. Large teeth should be used when
filing large surfaces since better chip clearance is required (the chips must be stored in the file
from the tooth's engagement with the part until the tooth exits the other side.
N.B. As you can see, the factors that guide tooth pitch selection are often contradictory. There is
no pitch size that will remove material efficiently from a large surfaced hard part. Choosing the
proper file for a job requires compromise.
FILING TECHNIQUES:
There are three basic filing techniques. The most popular is the "filing is easy" technique. This
technique requires no training and rarely gives good results. The two other techniques are draw
filing (finishing) and cross filing (roughing).
#1: High carbon steel blades are low quality blades generally reserved for sawing mild
metals such as brass, copper, aluminium, mild steel ...
#2: Bi-metal blades have high speed steel teeth welded to a hardened and drawn medium
carbon steel body. These composite blades have hard and wear resistant teeth and flexible and
forgiving (will not break easily when flexed) blade bodies. The are mostly used to cut tougher
and harder (45 Rc max.) material such as hardened medium carbon steels, stainless steels,
bronzes ... These blade are however two to three times more expensive than the plain high carbon
steel ones.
#3: Precision hacksaw blades are integrally constituted of high speed steel and are thicker
than regular blades and do not have any blade set (the teeth are the same width as the blades
body). This structure makes for a very stable blades that track very accurately and that produce
dimensionally accurate kerfs (width of slot). However, these blades are very expensive and quite
easy to break. They are mostly used for accurate grooving operations and are not recommended
for general sawing.
BLADE PITCH:
#1: The thickness of the part to be cut affects the choice of blade pitch since it defines
the quantity of material that will be stored between the teeth from the start to the end of a single
cut stroke. The thicker the part, the bigger the teeth!
When the part is thin, it is important to choose a blade pitch that ensures that at least two
teeth are in contact with the blade at all times . This ensures that the part cannot fit
between two teeth, since this could sheer teeth off of the blade.
#2: The parts hardness also affects the selection of blade pitch. The tooth's size selection is
inversely proportional to the part hardness. The harder that part, the smaller the teeth .
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BLADE SET:
A FEW SUGGESTIONS:
- #18 bi-metal blades are the general purpose blades preferred for most jobs.
- Hack sawing should not require a lot of effort. Let the blade cut, pushing or forcing it
will reduce blade life and will make it very hard to cut straight.
- General use hacksaw blades are designed for straight or slight radius cuts. For
pronounced curves use a cope or scroll saw.
- Cutting speed:
Softer metals: Two blade lengths per second.
- Saw only with your arms, your body should not move.
- Always cut vertically. For angular cuts, reposition the part to permit vertical cutting.
Before describing these tools, it would be good to define what threads are and
their basic terminology.
WHAT IS A THREAD?:
A thread is a helical groove of constant cross section on the outer surface of a cylinder (external
thread) or on the inner surface of a bore (internal thread). Threads can be used for assembling
parts, for accurate movement, for measuring and as a force multiplier (mechanical advantage).
THREAD FORMS:
There are several different thread forms Since this is an introductory course, we will limit
ourselves to the three basic (most common) forms: Unified (imperial), ISO (metric) and Acme
(Wile E Coyote).
Unified and ISO threads have 60 degree V grooves and are generally used for assembly. They
can also be used for accurate measurement (as is the case for micrometers).
ACME threads have 29 degree V grooves and are generally used for accurate movement or for
mechanical advantage and quite often for both (lead screw on milling machine table).
THREAD TERMINOLOGY
-THE DEPTH OF THREAD is the radial distance that separates the root from
the crest of a thread.
- THE HELIX ANGLE ( often referred to as the lead angle) is the angle of the
thread groove in relation to the thread's axis. A coarse pitch thread (large
thread) has a high helix angle and a fine pitch thread has a low helix angle.
THREAD NOMENCLATURE:
Unified threads smaller than 1/4" dia. are described in this manner:
#8 - 36 UNF
← ↓ →
Nominal code Number of Identification
(# x.013)+.060 threads per of thread form
inch and series
1/4 - 20 UNC
← ↓ →
Nominal dia. Number of Identification
diameter threads per of thread form
inch and series
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M 10 X 1.5
← ↓ →
Metric Nominal dia pitch
N.B. Many other codes (describing thread tolerance, thread direction ...) can be added to the
above descriptions. For more info on threads and threading, watch:
BENCH WORK PART 4
also
BENCH WORK PART 5
also
THE 1-2-3 BLOCK PROJECT PART 2
also
TAPPING OILS?
also
MORE TAPPING STUFF
also
MACHINE SHOP Q & A PART 1
also
HOW MACHINE THREADS WORK PART 1
also
HOW MACHINE THREADS WORK PART 2
TYPES OF TAPS:
Since there are many types of tapped holes, it is normal to expect that there are several types of
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taps of a same thread size.
The material being taped, the type of hole, the depth of thread required and the number of holes
to tap are the factors that influence the type of tap chosen. The basic types of taps are:
#1: Straight flute taps are hand taps and they are the go to taps in the shop. They are less
expensive than the other types of taps but they are also less productive. Their straight flutes do
not extract the chips produced and this will eventually clog the flutes. That is why these taps
must be backed out of the hole regularly in order to clear the chips. In order to be able to tap
different types of holes, hand taps are available in three different geometries:
#3: Spiral tip taps are machine taps that push the chips
forward. They are used to produce threads in through holes.
In order to tap a hole, you must first drill the hole since the tap can only cut the thread. It is
important to know that it is impossible cut a full thread using a tap. It is usually recommended
(for most materials) to cut only 75% of a full thread (about a 5% reductions in strength). For
tough and difficult to tap materials it is possible to reduce thread height to 60% of a full thread.
This will have a greater impact on the strength of the thread but hey! IT'S BETTER THAN
BRERAKING A TAP!
Only the thread roots are affected by this height reduction since it is the result of a hole that is
larger than the minor diameter (root diameter) of the thread.
The formula for calculating the tap drill size for Unified (imperial) threads (75%) is:
Example:
1/2" - 13 UNC
Answer: 0.423"
The formula for calculating the tap drill size for ISO METRIC threads (75%) is:
Example: M 10 X 1.5
Calculation: 10 - 1.5
Answer: 8.5 mm
Taps are very brittle cutting tools. It is very important to avoid breaking the tap in the hole since
this could compromise the part being produced but the tap is easy to break so what can you do?
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#1: Never use a worn (even slightly) tap or a tap with one or more chipped teeth. Inspect all
taps before use, even the new ones!
#3: Use the proper cutting oil for different materials being tapped.
STEEL AND BRONZE: Use a good quality commercial cutting oil! Not
a lubricating oil
CAST IRON: White cast iron cannot be tapped. Grey cast iron is best tapped dry
(no liquid or oil). Malleable cast iron is treated the same as
mild steel.
COPPER AND LEAD: Lard, undiluted dish soap, thick way oil, paraffin.
BRASS: Hard brass should be tapped dry, half hard brass should be treated like
mild steel and soft brass should be treated like copper.
#4: In order to break and extract the chips when using straight flute taps it is important to
back the tap out and clean it regularly.
#5: Since they only cut on one or two teeth, finishing (or bottoming) taps should only be used
for finishing the bottom of a blind hole (after having used the starter and plug taps).
Dies are used to cut external threads. There are three main types of threading dies.
SPLIT DIES are slightly adjustable and are used to cut class 1, 2
or 3 threads in readily machinable material. They are also often used
to finish threads roughed out on the lathe in tough materials. The
slight adjustment permits one roughing and one finishing cut.
Since it is difficult to cut full threads we usually reduce the major diameter of the part being
threaded to permit proper crest clearance and avoid seizing the die on the part.
The formula for calculating part diameter for die threading is:
Metric example:
Thread: M 10 X 1.5
Calculation: 10mm - (1.5 ÷ 7.5)
Answer: 9.8 mm
Imperial example:
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Thread: 1/2 - 13 UNC
Calculation: 0.5" - ((1/13) ÷ 7.5)
Answer: 0.489"
It is important to layout your part attentively. Check your measurements twice since a good
Page 49
layout could help you avoid an error but a bad layout will inevitably scrap the part.
V-BLOCK PART 6
Bench work layouts techniques are used to define the limits of a part when it will be produced
using low precision tools such as hacksaws, files, drill presses ... .
This layout technique is usually used for parts having a tolerance of +- .010" (0,2 mm) or more.
Bench work layouts are rapidly done but require a lot of attention and dexterity.
This layout technique is used to produce parts that have a tolerance of +- .003" (0,04 mm) or
more.
#2: The height gauge is, once equipped with a scribe point, used to
produce very accurate layout lines by direct measurement since the
height gauge has an accurate readable scale (vernier, dial or digital).
#3: The surface gauge is, thanks to its accurate base, just as stable as
the height gauge but it functions by comparative measurement or by
height transfer.
#4: The sine bar is a very delicate instrument used with gauge
blocks to position parts at an accurate angle to a surface plate.
#5: Angle plates are used to position parts vertical to the surface
plate. Parts can be mounted on angle plates in order to position
them and stabilize them for layout work... and much more.
#6: V-blocks are used to stabilize round or square parts for layout
work and much more. They can be used to hold parts
horizontally or vertically in relation to the surface plate.
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The exterior surface of the chip is the result of the flowing (sliding) of the chip up the face of
the tool. It is on this surface that is concentrated most of the heat since it has endured the greatest
deformation. This intense heat relaxes the tensions (in heat treatment this is called normalizing)
caused by the material's compression. The exterior surface of the chip has a clean and shiny
appearance and an externally curved surface.
N.B. It is important to know how chips are formed, but it is even more important to understand
what variables must be controlled in order to obtain the perfect chip. After all, chip production is
a fight between the tool and the part. It is important to control the variables in order to ensure that
the tool wins!
In the imperial system (inch) the cutting speed of a material is defined in feet per
minute and in the metric system it is defined as meters per minute.
It is important to know that the cutting speeds that the materials manufacturer provides
represent a maximum that presupposes that all the other variables are perfectly controlled.
It is rare for a home machinist to perform a cut at the maximum speed and it is important
to never cut any faster than that speed. Cutting slower than the maximum cutting speed is
less productive but it will not melt your tool.
#2: Feed on the mill is defined as the distance that the table would move in one minute (feet
per minute or meters per minute). On the lathe feed is define as the distance that the tool
progresses along the part in one turn (inches per revolution or meters per revolution).
Feed determines the width of a chip. For the same cutting speed, a rapid feed will produce
a bigger (wider) chip and a slower feed will produce a smaller one.
N.B. The feed is the most important variable for surface finish (but not the only one).
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#3: The depth of cut has a similar effect on chip formation as the feed. The main difference
is that the depth of cut controls the length of cutting lip engagement with the part. Since
both variables affect the volume of material removed, it is a good practice to choose the
feed first (in order to obtain the proper surface finish) and then adjust the depth of cut for
maximum metal removal (roughing) or proper dimension (finishing). Depth of cut has a
greater effect on cutting lip engagement comparatively to feed so volume of material
removed per minute (productivity) is generally controlled by the depth of cut.
#4: Tool geometry affects chip production in multiple ways. For this introductory course we
will only consider the effect of the cutting surface angle (angle of attack) of the tool.
#5: The rigidity of the tool, of the setup, of the machine and of the part being machined are
responsible for the amount of deflection during chip production.
There is always some deflection and when well controlled it isn't a problem but an
excessive amount of deflection will affect the part's dimensions and geometry as well as
the surface finish (since tool deflection is often responsible for vibration).
THE VARIABLES:
C.S.: Cutting speed is the optimal linear speed for cutting a given material. This
speed is provided by the material's manufacturer or can be found in the
MACHINERY'S HANDBOOK. In the imperial system the speed is expressed in
FEET/MINUTE and metric system speeds are expressed in METERS/MINUTE.
Since the speed is given as a linear displacement and that most cutting operations
use rotary motion, we need a way of changing the linear speed (displacement) to
rotary speed (displacement).
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DIAMETER: In the formulas that we are using, the diameter is the diameter of what turns
during the cut. For drilling and milling it is the diameter of the tool that is used and for turning it
is the diameter of the part being turned.
THE FORMULAS:
The formulas for calculating the R.P.M. for high speed steel tools are:
Imperial: CS X 4
dia.
Metric: CS X 300
dia.
N.B. For carbide cutters, the calculated rpm should multiplied by four.
MOST COMMON CUTTING SPEEDS (CS) USED IN THE HOME SHOP:
Brass: 200 Fm 65 Mm
Bronze: 80 Fm 26 Mm
MATERIALS PART 2
ALSO
MATERIALS PART 3
ALSO
MATERIALS PART 4
ALSO
10-B: LATHE
HAMMER HANDLE PART 1
ALSO
HAMMER HANDLE PART 2
ALSO
HAMMER HANDLE PART 3
ALSO
LATHE CHUCKS 101 PART 1
ALSO
LATHE CHUCKS 101 PART 2
ALSO
POSITIONING LATHE TOOL CUTTING EDGES
ALSO
FOUR JAW CHUCK CENTERING
ALSO
HAMMER HEAD
ALSO
HAMMER PLUG & TIPS
ALSO
PROJECTING HARD TO GET TO SURFACES
ALSO
THREADING ON THE LATHE
Page 62
ALSO
HOW MACHINE THREADS WORK
ALSO
EFFECT OF PLUNGE ANGLE ON THREAD CUTTING
ALSO
TURNING A HALF BALL!
ALSO
MACHINING A SPHERE!
ALSO
SCREW JACK PART 1
ALSO
SCREW JACK PART 2
ALSO
SCREW JACK PART 3
ALSO
SCREW JACK PART 4
ALSO
SCREW JACK PART 5
ALSO
SCREW JACK PART 6
ALSO
HOW TO OFFSET FOR A SMALL CRANK?
ALSO
MACHINING A CROWNED PULLEY
Page 63
10- D: SHAPER
V-BLOCK PART 2
ALSO
V-BLOCK PART 3
10- E: GRINDERS
V-BLOCK PART 7
ALSO
BAND SAW BLADE WELDING
I hope you had fun and that these notes and the accompanying videos were
helpful. If you wish to, you can download (AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER
2018) the test sheets from my web page:
THATLAZYMACHINIST.COM
and return your completed sheets to me at
THATLAZYMACHINIST@GMAIL.COM
and I will send you (after evaluation) a personalized certificate for
having completed the theory portion of this online course.
Marc L'Ecuyer
that lazy machinist
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