This is great. Research says we mentally age when things are stagnant and we don't learn new stuff. It is great to see you jump in the deep end with the CNC. Being a CNC shop owner and having watched you for many years, I am looking forward to see your journey and I am sure many are. You have a huge community around you that can always help as well if you have any questions or are stuck. But knowing what I have seen, you will figure it all out eventually!
Adam, can I make one small recommendation. (You may already be doing this). You should check into getting and using collet chucks on your lathe for drills. You could use the same ER collets that you will be using on your mill (ER 32 would be a good size for that machine). They can be shorter and are smaller in diameter than drill chucks. They hold the drills more secure than a drill chuck. On the manual machine if the drill slips in the drill chuck you can back off. But on a CNC the machine doesn't know (Or care) and it will break something. You will also find as your setups get more complicated and use more tools. When you are closer to the chuck jaws that shorter and smaller diameter holders will prevent things from hitting those jaws. Everything takes time. It's like learning a new language. But one day it will all be second nature and you will be doing things just like you do on the manual equipment.
I second this! Nice suggestion. A good collection of ER style tools should be in every CNC machinist's toolbox for exactly the reasons you pointed out. Not only are they lower profile, more secure, and more rigid, they have less runout than a drill chuck when used on a mill or live tooling on a lathe. Sure hope Adam reads your comment!
@@Daniel-vq9zb I agree it's lack of knowledge, but in a good way. I was no different when I was an apprentice, giving it full send into the vice because I forgot to measure a tool. But I really don't get this 'Adam doesn't pay for everything' narrative. As said before 99% of operators have a boss to work for that pays for their machine, cutters, consumables etc. Adam is no different, he is effectively a milltronics, Precision mattehews, CRC etc. marketing employee but instead of wages he gets the use of a machine. Machines on finance aren't that expensive and that's effectively what milltronics is covering. Far less than employing someone.
Adam. I congratulate you on having the sphericals to learn a very new world that the younger ones take as granted. Don't forget you can do it. I had to learn the metric system and almost completely forget the imperial system. You don't loose that old system you just finf out very quickly how simple the metric system is. Then they invented computers. Cad systems, calculators, now programming, phew. None of us are getting younger. Learn as much as you can while ever you can. Well done ❤️❤️
Adam I love the CNC content! I’m a CNC machinist and watching your videos growing up greatly contributed to that! However, you should be more careful and keep your door closed. Also, the first time you run a tool, you should hover a finger above the feed hold button. I’m sure you’re very good with your mental checklist before hitting the button, but I’m telling you, it’s gonna bite you eventually. These machines can kill you in the blink of an eye so please don’t forget that. I wanna see you on RUclips for a LONG time so please be more careful and not stick your head in the machine while it’s running. Just crack the door a bit and peak in.
I was going to say the exact same thing. I've been a cnc machinist at the one place for 23 years now running the same parts I can tell you by looking at a billet what that material will make but not once do I ever press start and stand back and just watch it. First part on every run I don't move from the machine and im constantly holding cycle stop and hand on rapid knob.
Keep at it, brother! CNC is the key to efficient machining and efficiency equals profit, as I'm sure you know. No doubt you'll feel right at home with your new machines in no time. Keep up the great videos!
I am happy that you are enjoying this next chapter in your career being a machinist. I am also glad that you are taking on the best attitude towards this chapter, realizing that there will be a learning curve with these new machines you have. If you keep it up with that attitude, I have the utmost faith that you will be successful in this adventure. Many of us will still be here taking a little enjoyment in watching you grow and supporting you along the way. Thank you for taking us with you along this journey.
Awesome Adam. Thanks for taking us on your new journey of CNC. Big shout-out to Milltronics. If I wasn't 68 yr's old, I would be thinking about some Milltronics myself.
You're off to a great start Adam, keep it going. PS. Looking forward to the Big Haul and lots of chillin and grillin. You and Abby have a great trip. Thanks for the videos!
As a (former) CNC machinist it scares the living crap outta me seeing untested programs run with no single block and rapids at 100%. One error in tool lengths / numbering / stock dimensions / origins etc, and it's a crash. And a super expensive bill. I know from experience. Always run untested programs with hand on halt cycle / feed pot that has 0% on it, and 25% rapids. EDIT: Not trying to put you down, it's huge step going from a life of manual machining to CNC, ie. from you're being in control of everything to giving all the control to your code and the computer. Huge respect to you for having the guts to make the leap, just be super careful and never trust a program blindly.
I never ran a CNC, seen a bunch crash in RUclips. Looks scary, like the operator has no control until after the crash, the machine moves so fluently and rapidly. Tipping my cap to Adam, good job.
That’s one of the many things I love about Milltronics is the fact they use Conversational Programming. Yes there are a few other Machine Manufacturers that utilize this as well, but not all of them do. When I’m ready to purchase a brand new Machine it will definitely be Milltronics. Great Video Adam!
You're already way ahead of a new CNC machinist because you already know machining better than most. All you have to learn is the automation bit, and I figure you'll pick that up quicker than you think.
Never met an experienced manual machinist yet, that doesn't master CNC machining in no time. The application may be different, but they always have more skills and knowledge than most CNC machinists.
Might help: "Conversational CNC is programming g-code by asking questions of the programmer in order to create operations that are similar to the operations a manual machinist might use. It does not require the use of a CAD model or drawing. Conversational CNC is an option found built in to many CNC Controls." 🙂
@@georgemiller6930 You design in CAD, You configure speeds, feeds and tooling in CAM, Cam generates G-Code which is the language a CNC machine uses to carry out the machining required to make the part you designed in CAD.
Hey Adam, I have been a subscriber for years and after fighting the VA for Vocational Rehab all the way to the US Court of Veterans Appeals and winning,, I started my schooling to become a machinist. Thanks for teaching so much to me these past years.
Thanks Adam. What you mentioned in the last part of that video about not being left behind is so true. I work with computers every day and have been since the early 1990s and still have conversations with my work colleges on a regular basis about learning something new every day regularly. That's what keeps me interested in what I do every day at work.
there's a saying amongst woodworkers: you can make anything with hand tools except a profit. if CNC cuts costs then someone else will get the work... I use hand tools a lot but machines and technology has its place one thing you can't do with a machine is match Abom's years of experience
@@richnfamous59 I totally agree with you about what you say about his experience and hand tools. Computers are a very sterile and boring thing sometimes. Definitely not the same as making something with your hands; even though when we type stuff into a computer we are creating something with our hands 😂 The difference is, it doesn't have a feel for something. All it sees is 1's and 0's. The next 15 years is going to be interesting.
@@richnfamous59 So true! And it will be very interesting if we can get a feel for the ways in which this experience translates into improving CNC operation, and ways in which certain knowledge does not...
hi abom nice to see your willingness to go the cnc route, keep your hand on the feed override and watch your distance to go. ive been a cnc machinist for 15 years and i allways have my hand on the feed over ride when starting a program and ready to hit the reset button. also its good practice to run a dryrun cycle just to know that all is good. good luck and just know there will be crashes. but if you double and triple check you should avoid costly damage to your machines. also check out peter stanton at edge precision the man is a wealth or information on cnc machining
Just some advice, you can take it or leave it, but it's very good practice to single block or control you feed for the approach the first time you use a new program or newly touched off tool, I guarantee if you do that it will save you from multiple crashes in the future, and it really only takes a couple of seconds.
This. I don’t think he’s seen a bad crash yet and I don’t want him to be too comfortable. I keep a 6” scale rule on my machine and I make sure my clearance height is 6” above the top of the model. Every new tool I’ll check it with a rule. If it’s not close to 6”, you’ve got a tool, or an offset problem.
Can't ever fault someone for wanting to better themselves and learn a new skill. Keep up the great work Adam. Looking forward to seeing where things go from here!
I think it's wonderful that you're getting into CNC, I've worked at shops that had both CNC and manual lathes & mills and it was a godsend to have the CNC do a rough part than use the manual machine to finish up the features. Especially when you have odd shapes or oblong parts like crankshafts. You can rough in the shaft and bearing shafts, than take it over a lathe and finish machine the fine bearings and balance the shaft. CNCs are awesome and have a ton of uses, but there's no replacement for the good ole fashioned feel of a manual machine. You're going to have a TON of fun!
Yes there is a replacement for manual machines, they are call CNC machines. Manual equipment does still have a place in the shop, but shops with dedicated manual departments are getting harder to find.
Adam, I may be off track but I cant remember the last time I’ve seen you respond to any comments. I know you are busy BUT I believe engagement with your viewers is key to continued success. There are a lot of people commenting on all of your videos that have great advise. If you read them and have something to say, just take some time to have a chat in the comments. I’ve been here for a long time and plan to continue, just constructive criticism. Its like the tired musician after a show, just wants to go to the bus and head on down the road. The ones you remember stay to sign autographs. All the best-
This is really cool what your doing. When I started off in a machine shop it was pretty much just hit green button load unload demurred repeat lol. Thankfully a company hired me sent me to school and mentored me. Keep up the great work Adam
26:25. I can appreciate your comments about the learning process of CNC. Being retired, and purchased a small CNC woodworking machine, I also stumble with the issues you referenced. Honestly, I only use my little CNC for multiple identical projects. Using it to do a one-off is just not as satisfying and using my hand tools. Satisfying is what I desire at my age. Thanks.
Holding my heart eveytime he starts a program.. play with “feed hold” and “cycle start” when you first approach a workpiece otherwise u will crash your machine (I’ve seen coworkers do it, gives me the creeps) anyways great to see you in the CNC-world!
I'm so glad your not leaving the manual machining I so enjoy watching that it takes me back to the 60s 70s 80s when I was working in a machine shop, being much older than yourself I'm of the old school era and this relatively new concept of maching throws me sideways but I do realise times change and you have to move on to keep up with modern technology I wish you well and good luck PS I hope the old machine shop smell is relevant 😀
This is a shop that looks like shops from around 2000. Definitely not the "future of manufacturing." Manufacturing shops that are even competitive have a dozen state of the art CNC machines, a climate controlled metrology room, additive manufacturing capabilities, CNC grinders. This is a small run of the mill job shop. Not knocking it. That's what Adam wants and needs. He's not trying to be the "future of manufacturing." Real manufacturing shops have dozens of machines, dozens of machines, CNC operators, metrologists, with all their machines running 24/7.
Great to see someone do the same kind of programming I used to do. The program on my machines were called shopturn and shopmill by a company called Siemens but it looks simular to your programming. Give it a couple of months and you will be very comfortable on those machines. Keep up the good work and greetings from a college in Belgium.
Milltronics has pretty much copied Siemens Shop Conversational Programming. But, Siemens offers a much better controller. The main downside with Milltronics is Service Backup and of course you can only use their Controllers on their Machines, much the same as HAAS. In Adams case it won't be such a drama because he is USA based the same as Milltronics. Unfortunately the same can't be said for other countries around the world. A Milltronics reseller has recently started up in our country which is great IF you are interested to compare brands. The only thing that is missing is Service Backup. They are very grey on what Aftersales Service they offer ????
That's really nice seeing these machines doing all the work, you've done manually in the past. Very convenient work's coming up to you. Just by defining inner and outer parameters by G-code, fixing the raw material in a vise, pressing start and leaning back, crossing two fingers for all is going well. This procedure challangeses more nerves than muscles. One could eat some burgers while the magic ist doing it's work.
So cool that you are learning on such great equipment! Most of us "home shop" guys learned on desktop-type toy machines LOL. You can really make some cool production parts! Very happy for you and your business! Keep em coming Adam...
One recommendation I would mrecommend is to get away from center drills and use spotting drills. if you usem a 90 degree spot drill you gett he starting point and countersink in one operation, and saves a tool change. The spotting drill can be used as a chamfer cutter if youget the right ones. Have fun, you have a ways to go, but keep doing something on them every day helps to drive those codes into memory.
@abom79 I've been watching your channel for several years now, and I've loved all of the videos you've put out. I'm so glad to see you get in to CNC machining. I know some people will complain because they are used to you being a manual machine guy, but CNC is the future for machining, even in a job shop. I wish this is something my dad would have had the appetite to do in his machine shop business. His business would probably still be running today if that were the case. I look forward to seeing your journey in this!
theres a sudden click in your head with cnc , then it all makes sense instantly. Took me about 1.5 yrs of drawing , doing cam and running a machine for the click to happen. After that its almost instinct and all the details involved becomes very easy.
Way to go! Glad to see your cnc journey didn't start with hammering g code into the control. The onboard conversational programming is a great bridge between g code and cadcam software
Yep. It's just a matter of time with the tools. You'll like using Fusion. All that hard work will pay off in productivity, flexibility and quality. And loving the new 4' x 20' Flex mill (for they guy that said your Miltronics is too small). Thanks Adam for what you do - you helped inspire my son and I to start a metal fab shop (side hustle for now...my "un-retirement plan" for later).
Build some nice aluminum drill holders and tap holders to sit on your tool carts. Simple program for you and beneficial. Glad your having fun Adam... Ricko
Hey Adam. There is a key depth chart in the machinist handbook along with the formula for figuring out odd sizes. I copied that page and have it stuck to the side of my toolbox. Use it all the time.
It's amazing to me how quiet brass and bronze are when machining compared to even aluminum. The sound is there, but it's so much softer and... less harsh(?) than the harder materials. It's such a great thing to observe.
Great new addition to your skills. I have been learning Fusion 360 and have been lucky enough to have a friend with a Tormach allow me to do some simple projects, under his close watch. So much to CNC that I would like to learn and apply. Thanks very much for sharing and good job.
Hi Adam Thanks for another tour, this time being the CNC Mill. It's amazing at the speed of these machines & what they can do. I liked the auto tool changes, this alone would save heaps of time .
I think the CNC machines are a great addition to the shop. Especially if the shop gets into production work. However, I hope most of the videos will still have a lot of manual content. KOKO!
You are essentially learning to communicate with the machine, and need to learn it's language. The machine is your employee, and you need to learn how to let it know what you want it to do.
Hey Adam. It's great to see you finally taking the plunge into CNC Machining. I remember some time ago you were talking about doing something eventually. Milltronics are a nice machine to own and run. I'm sure you will learn to Love the Conversational Controller. It's good to see you taking a different path and choosing a lesser known USA made brand of CNC Machine.
It’s actually not that bad. Once you have your post-processor setup for your CAD/CAM system (I.e, Fusion360, etc) it’s mostly a matter of point-and-click. Rarely do you ever need to hand-write G-code.
@@jeffreylee7184 IIRC, he got a Mac to do his video editing on. That machine will run Fusion360 quite nicely (I speak from experience on that one; I run Fusion360 on both a M1 MacBookPro I picked up last November, and an Intel i7 27” iMac from 2015). That obviates the need to build a PC to run Fusion360 on (and yes - if you aren’t already either a computer pro or an enthusiast - learning how to do that very much can be both a steep and expensive learning curve). My experience picking up Fusion360 wasn’t too difficult; but there will definitely be some time spent watching RUclips videos to get the hang of it… and quite a bit of just sitting down and playing with it. I’d say it’s more time-consuming than difficult. Already being a master machinist will help him immensely, as he already knows how the fundamental cutting process works on an intuitive level, and is already used to working in three-dimensional space to make parts. If he was, say, an English major who never did anything else but literary studies; then I’d say yes, the learning curve would be far steeper because then he’d truly be starting from nothing. 🤔
It’s like learning a new language!! You know what you want to say, but can’t say it!! I know you’re excited! Mill and lathe look awesome!! You will be fine, take your time. You’re going to love those machines!!
The big boy is not a Milltronics. It's made by Flex, just like the tapping arms. And that Flex mill will show everyone why there's just a little tapping arm in this shop.
Cnc is not as hard as people think it is or make it out to be. You'll develop your own technique. You should always be willing to listen to suggestions. Sometime someone else have a better way of doing things doesn'thurt to learn from other programmers. Machinists who think they'rethe best and refuse to learn will get left behind.
As a woodworker that would love to get onto CNC routering, I can appreciate the fact that it's not the mechanical skill but the ability to work the program that is intimidating.
Glad you finally made the jump to cnc! If you ever make the leap to some cad cam software you could probably pay off all that equipment In a year, the federal reserve wishes it could print money like a cnc machine
Get a chip cleaner fan tool for your cnc and have it part of your last program step The fan blows clear any coolant and chips and makes your quality of life when removing parts worlds easier and aids with clean up its a Game changer for CNC I am also on a cnc journey too, been a manual machine person since birth but once you go cnc its hard to go back.. loving the contect too keep it going Abom
For you folks who look at the past as being better, these CNC systems do exactly the same thing as the old systems, except you don't have to fiddle with knobs. Well, you do fiddle with knobs, but they are digital and not manual. The properties of materials has not changed, the technology has adapted. It's great that someone who has been trained in the manual operation of machines to move into CNC. The only thing that changes is what kind of knobs you twist.
@@crispindry2815 It's not for everyone. Check out Keith Rucker's site. Me, I like watching the migration from "traditional" machinery to current technology. Hey, if you're interested in Ancient Greek Machining, look at Clickspring's Antikytheria Mechanism videos. He's trying to recreate the machining techniques they used back then based on the X-Ray's of the Antikytheria Mechanism. Fascinating stuff.
The neat part about CNC is its just like telling an apprentice what to do, but he problem is that apprentice does exactly what you tell it. There are two types of CNC operator, those that have crashed one, and those that lie about them never crashing one.
spray welding cam shafts and now this.. doing big things my friend keep up the good work... ive been wanting to take the step from manual milling/turning to CNC work myself.. been teaching myself Mastercam the last few months.. A good CAD/CAM software like that will make operating those machines a breeze once u get the hang of the controls.. its also a plus having Mastercam or whatever program you use to run your toolpaths virtually so you can address any possible errors prior to machining
A long time ago I used to run a Miltronics Partner CNC knee mill. That was the best controller I have ever run, and that thing was built in the late 90s.
can some of you Americans tell me why you chamfer after threading? Where i come from (europe) i learned that you do it before threading for 2 reasons: 1. so your Tap has a guide when entering the hole. 2. so you dont push the first thread into the hole again. I see this on so many American youtube videos, and i'm surprised everytime. can someone explain?
for keyways, in case you did'nt know. To get from the from touching the shaft to a perfect flat. Its width of keyway squared divided by 4 X OD of shaft. Hope that makes sense!
This is great. Research says we mentally age when things are stagnant and we don't learn new stuff. It is great to see you jump in the deep end with the CNC. Being a CNC shop owner and having watched you for many years, I am looking forward to see your journey and I am sure many are. You have a huge community around you that can always help as well if you have any questions or are stuck. But knowing what I have seen, you will figure it all out eventually!
Adam, can I make one small recommendation. (You may already be doing this). You should check into getting and using collet chucks on your lathe for drills. You could use the same ER collets that you will be using on your mill (ER 32 would be a good size for that machine). They can be shorter and are smaller in diameter than drill chucks. They hold the drills more secure than a drill chuck. On the manual machine if the drill slips in the drill chuck you can back off. But on a CNC the machine doesn't know (Or care) and it will break something. You will also find as your setups get more complicated and use more tools. When you are closer to the chuck jaws that shorter and smaller diameter holders will prevent things from hitting those jaws. Everything takes time. It's like learning a new language. But one day it will all be second nature and you will be doing things just like you do on the manual equipment.
I second this! Nice suggestion. A good collection of ER style tools should be in every CNC machinist's toolbox for exactly the reasons you pointed out. Not only are they lower profile, more secure, and more rigid, they have less runout than a drill chuck when used on a mill or live tooling on a lathe. Sure hope Adam reads your comment!
Abom has a glint in his eyes and is a happy man with new toys to play with 👍
Good on you Adam, takes a brave man to press cycle start and not slow the rapid down on your first cut ha! Loving the new CNC content
@@Daniel-vq9zbthat makes no sense. I would say 99 percent of operators out there don't pay for the machine they work on.
@@Daniel-vq9zb I agree it's lack of knowledge, but in a good way. I was no different when I was an apprentice, giving it full send into the vice because I forgot to measure a tool.
But I really don't get this 'Adam doesn't pay for everything' narrative. As said before 99% of operators have a boss to work for that pays for their machine, cutters, consumables etc. Adam is no different, he is effectively a milltronics, Precision mattehews, CRC etc. marketing employee but instead of wages he gets the use of a machine.
Machines on finance aren't that expensive and that's effectively what milltronics is covering. Far less than employing someone.
Adam. I congratulate you on having the sphericals to learn a very new world that the younger ones take as granted. Don't forget you can do it. I had to learn the metric system and almost completely forget the imperial system. You don't loose that old system you just finf out very quickly how simple the metric system is. Then they invented computers. Cad systems, calculators, now programming, phew. None of us are getting younger.
Learn as much as you can while ever you can. Well done ❤️❤️
Adam I love the CNC content! I’m a CNC machinist and watching your videos growing up greatly contributed to that! However, you should be more careful and keep your door closed. Also, the first time you run a tool, you should hover a finger above the feed hold button. I’m sure you’re very good with your mental checklist before hitting the button, but I’m telling you, it’s gonna bite you eventually. These machines can kill you in the blink of an eye so please don’t forget that. I wanna see you on RUclips for a LONG time so please be more careful and not stick your head in the machine while it’s running. Just crack the door a bit and peak in.
Ya kill your wallet,,SNAP ,another 60.00 end mill gone
@@ironworkerfxr7105 or a holder, or a spindle. It’s usually a decimal point in the wrong place.
I was going to say the exact same thing. I've been a cnc machinist at the one place for 23 years now running the same parts I can tell you by looking at a billet what that material will make but not once do I ever press start and stand back and just watch it. First part on every run I don't move from the machine and im constantly holding cycle stop and hand on rapid knob.
If you feel comfortable with it, I would love to see an op end to end, like probing the stock, setting up the code and the milling.
So would i.
Those rapids are nerve wracking! I wish you many intact endmills and clean chips! Thank you for sharing your journey!
Keep at it, brother! CNC is the key to efficient machining and efficiency equals profit, as I'm sure you know. No doubt you'll feel right at home with your new machines in no time. Keep up the great videos!
I am happy that you are enjoying this next chapter in your career being a machinist. I am also glad that you are taking on the best attitude towards this chapter, realizing that there will be a learning curve with these new machines you have. If you keep it up with that attitude, I have the utmost faith that you will be successful in this adventure. Many of us will still be here taking a little enjoyment in watching you grow and supporting you along the way. Thank you for taking us with you along this journey.
Awesome Adam. Thanks for taking us on your new journey of CNC. Big shout-out to Milltronics. If I wasn't 68 yr's old, I would be thinking about some Milltronics myself.
A LOT of advances since I last worked in a machine shop in 1963. Dazzling video!!
You're off to a great start Adam, keep it going. PS. Looking forward to the Big Haul and lots of chillin and grillin. You and Abby have a great trip. Thanks for the videos!
As a (former) CNC machinist it scares the living crap outta me seeing untested programs run with no single block and rapids at 100%. One error in tool lengths / numbering / stock dimensions / origins etc, and it's a crash. And a super expensive bill. I know from experience.
Always run untested programs with hand on halt cycle / feed pot that has 0% on it, and 25% rapids.
EDIT: Not trying to put you down, it's huge step going from a life of manual machining to CNC, ie. from you're being in control of everything to giving all the control to your code and the computer. Huge respect to you for having the guts to make the leap, just be super careful and never trust a program blindly.
I never ran a CNC, seen a bunch crash in RUclips. Looks scary, like the operator has no control until after the crash, the machine moves so fluently and rapidly.
Tipping my cap to Adam, good job.
That’s one of the many things I love about Milltronics is the fact they use Conversational Programming. Yes there are a few other Machine Manufacturers that utilize this as well, but not all of them do. When I’m ready to purchase a brand new Machine it will definitely be Milltronics.
Great Video Adam!
Massive kudos for stepping out of your comfort zone of manual machining and teaching yourself something new and different!
You're already way ahead of a new CNC machinist because you already know machining better than most. All you have to learn is the automation bit, and I figure you'll pick that up quicker than you think.
Never met an experienced manual machinist yet, that doesn't master CNC machining in no time. The application may be different, but they always have more skills and knowledge than most CNC machinists.
Might help: "Conversational CNC is programming g-code by asking questions of the programmer in order to create operations that are similar to the operations a manual machinist might use. It does not require the use of a CAD model or drawing. Conversational CNC is an option found built in to many CNC Controls." 🙂
What's g-code? 😬
Wow this put things in perspective. Never looked at cnc that way
@@leeuwtje10 I rarely use iso gcode for my line of work. 1-50 pc runs max. Super nice to see whats going on in a "Simple" way 😅
@George Miller G code is a term when the tool goes SNAP.
open wallet and pull out greenbacks....
@@georgemiller6930 You design in CAD, You configure speeds, feeds and tooling in CAM, Cam generates G-Code which is the language a CNC machine uses to carry out the machining required to make the part you designed in CAD.
So much for being a traditional machinist. Good show.
Hey Adam, I have been a subscriber for years and after fighting the VA for Vocational Rehab all the way to the US Court of Veterans Appeals and winning,, I started my schooling to become a machinist. Thanks for teaching so much to me these past years.
Great to hear. Good luck to you in reaching your goals
Thanks Adam. What you mentioned in the last part of that video about not being left behind is so true. I work with computers every day and have been since the early 1990s and still have conversations with my work colleges on a regular basis about learning something new every day regularly. That's what keeps me interested in what I do every day at work.
there's a saying amongst woodworkers: you can make anything with hand tools except a profit. if CNC cuts costs then someone else will get the work... I use hand tools a lot but machines and technology has its place
one thing you can't do with a machine is match Abom's years of experience
@@richnfamous59 I totally agree with you about what you say about his experience and hand tools. Computers are a very sterile and boring thing sometimes. Definitely not the same as making something with your hands; even though when we type stuff into a computer we are creating something with our hands 😂 The difference is, it doesn't have a feel for something. All it sees is 1's and 0's. The next 15 years is going to be interesting.
@@richnfamous59 So true! And it will be very interesting if we can get a feel for the ways in which this experience translates into improving CNC operation, and ways in which certain knowledge does not...
hi abom nice to see your willingness to go the cnc route, keep your hand on the feed override and watch your distance to go. ive been a cnc machinist for 15 years and i allways have my hand on the feed over ride when starting a program and ready to hit the reset button. also its good practice to run a dryrun cycle just to know that all is good. good luck and just know there will be crashes. but if you double and triple check you should avoid costly damage to your machines. also check out peter stanton at edge precision the man is a wealth or information on cnc machining
Just some advice, you can take it or leave it, but it's very good practice to single block or control you feed for the approach the first time you use a new program or newly touched off tool, I guarantee if you do that it will save you from multiple crashes in the future, and it really only takes a couple of seconds.
This. I don’t think he’s seen a bad crash yet and I don’t want him to be too comfortable. I keep a 6” scale rule on my machine and I make sure my clearance height is 6” above the top of the model. Every new tool I’ll check it with a rule. If it’s not close to 6”, you’ve got a tool, or an offset problem.
Can't ever fault someone for wanting to better themselves and learn a new skill. Keep up the great work Adam. Looking forward to seeing where things go from here!
I think it's wonderful that you're getting into CNC, I've worked at shops that had both CNC and manual lathes & mills and it was a godsend to have the CNC do a rough part than use the manual machine to finish up the features. Especially when you have odd shapes or oblong parts like crankshafts. You can rough in the shaft and bearing shafts, than take it over a lathe and finish machine the fine bearings and balance the shaft. CNCs are awesome and have a ton of uses, but there's no replacement for the good ole fashioned feel of a manual machine. You're going to have a TON of fun!
Yes there is a replacement for manual machines, they are call CNC machines. Manual equipment does still have a place in the shop, but shops with dedicated manual departments are getting harder to find.
Your comments on understanding how to navigate the software is very insightful.
You are an amazing guy. Always learning and sharing with others.
This is so exciting! You and TOT pretty much introduced me to machining and this is gonna be fun to follow along and see you learn in this new chapter
We bet that somewhere your dad and grandfather are watching this ! They are very proud of you !
Adam, I may be off track but I cant remember the last time I’ve seen you respond to any comments. I know you are busy BUT I believe engagement with your viewers is key to continued success.
There are a lot of people commenting on all of your videos that have great advise. If you read them and have something to say, just take some time to have a chat in the comments.
I’ve been here for a long time and plan to continue, just constructive criticism.
Its like the tired musician after a show, just wants to go to the bus and head on down the road. The ones you remember stay to sign autographs.
All the best-
This is really cool what your doing. When I started off in a machine shop it was pretty much just hit green button load unload demurred repeat lol. Thankfully a company hired me sent me to school and mentored me. Keep up the great work Adam
26:25. I can appreciate your comments about the learning process of CNC. Being retired, and purchased a small CNC woodworking machine, I also stumble with the issues you referenced. Honestly, I only use my little CNC for multiple identical projects. Using it to do a one-off is just not as satisfying and using my hand tools. Satisfying is what I desire at my age. Thanks.
You are absolutely right about the need for repetition for learning how to do anything.
Love your videos and I wish you the best.
Holding my heart eveytime he starts a program.. play with “feed hold” and “cycle start” when you first approach a workpiece otherwise u will crash your machine (I’ve seen coworkers do it, gives me the creeps) anyways great to see you in the CNC-world!
”Coworkers” 👍😂
Very exciting seeing these beasts go to work!
I love watching your progress :)
Not every graybeard would be confident enough to jump into modern electronic programming. Having such a supportive wife seems to have helped
I'm so glad your not leaving the manual machining I so enjoy watching that it takes me back to the 60s 70s 80s when I was working in a machine shop, being much older than yourself I'm of the old school era and this relatively new concept of maching throws me sideways but I do realise times change and you have to move on to keep up with modern technology I wish you well and good luck PS I hope the old machine shop smell is relevant 😀
Teaching an old dog new tricks! Love how much the new shop is coming together. Best of luck to you Adam.
Man talk about a huge learning curve from manual machines to a cnc.you’ll for sure get it down brother!
Can't wait to see the chips really fly once you start doing some projects.Great job with the training aspect at this point .
Great job, welcome to the wonderful world of cnc .
You and your partners have done an amazing job with this shop. It's a perfect template for what I consider to be the future of manufacturing. :)
This is a shop that looks like shops from around 2000. Definitely not the "future of manufacturing." Manufacturing shops that are even competitive have a dozen state of the art CNC machines, a climate controlled metrology room, additive manufacturing capabilities, CNC grinders. This is a small run of the mill job shop. Not knocking it. That's what Adam wants and needs. He's not trying to be the "future of manufacturing." Real manufacturing shops have dozens of machines, dozens of machines, CNC operators, metrologists, with all their machines running 24/7.
Great to see someone do the same kind of programming I used to do. The program on my machines were called shopturn and shopmill by a company called Siemens but it looks simular to your programming. Give it a couple of months and you will be very comfortable on those machines. Keep up the good work and greetings from a college in Belgium.
Milltronics has pretty much copied Siemens Shop Conversational Programming.
But, Siemens offers a much better controller.
The main downside with Milltronics is Service Backup and of course you can only use their Controllers on their Machines, much the same as HAAS.
In Adams case it won't be such a drama because he is USA based the same as Milltronics.
Unfortunately the same can't be said for other countries around the world.
A Milltronics reseller has recently started up in our country which is great IF you are interested to compare brands.
The only thing that is missing is Service Backup.
They are very grey on what Aftersales Service they offer ????
That's really nice seeing these machines doing all the work, you've done manually in the past. Very convenient work's coming up to you. Just by defining inner and outer parameters by G-code, fixing the raw material in a vise, pressing start and leaning back, crossing two fingers for all is going well. This procedure challangeses more nerves than muscles. One could eat some burgers while the magic ist doing it's work.
So cool that you are learning on such great equipment! Most of us "home shop" guys learned on desktop-type toy machines LOL. You can really make some cool production parts! Very happy for you and your business! Keep em coming Adam...
We all have to start somewhere. Patience is a virtue.
High anticipation for the Flex CNC big table! We all know you got this!
I’m pretty impressed that you’re taking this learning on mate, very inspiring. Keep going mate!!
One recommendation I would mrecommend is to get away from center drills and use spotting drills. if you usem a 90 degree spot drill you gett he starting point and countersink in one operation, and saves a tool change. The spotting drill can be used as a chamfer cutter if youget the right ones. Have fun, you have a ways to go, but keep doing something on them every day helps to drive those codes into memory.
Looks like you'll have plenty to do and learn....I'm here for it all and hope you can record and share most of it.
@abom79 I've been watching your channel for several years now, and I've loved all of the videos you've put out. I'm so glad to see you get in to CNC machining. I know some people will complain because they are used to you being a manual machine guy, but CNC is the future for machining, even in a job shop. I wish this is something my dad would have had the appetite to do in his machine shop business. His business would probably still be running today if that were the case. I look forward to seeing your journey in this!
theres a sudden click in your head with cnc , then it all makes sense instantly. Took me about 1.5 yrs of drawing , doing cam and running a machine for the click to happen. After that its almost instinct and all the details involved becomes very easy.
Awesome!!!
No difference between conventional or climb cuts, no backlash at all, very impressive!
Way to go! Glad to see your cnc journey didn't start with hammering g code into the control. The onboard conversational programming is a great bridge between g code and cadcam software
That is awesome Adam. You can always look back on training video to
Yep. It's just a matter of time with the tools. You'll like using Fusion. All that hard work will pay off in productivity, flexibility and quality. And loving the new 4' x 20' Flex mill (for they guy that said your Miltronics is too small). Thanks Adam for what you do - you helped inspire my son and I to start a metal fab shop (side hustle for now...my "un-retirement plan" for later).
Build some nice aluminum drill holders and tap holders to sit on your tool carts. Simple program for you and beneficial. Glad your having fun Adam... Ricko
Hey Adam. There is a key depth chart in the machinist handbook along with the formula for figuring out odd sizes.
I copied that page and have it stuck to the side of my toolbox. Use it all the time.
It's amazing to me how quiet brass and bronze are when machining compared to even aluminum. The sound is there, but it's so much softer and... less harsh(?) than the harder materials. It's such a great thing to observe.
oh my man these new m/c are amazing. the fast cut blew my mind
Great new addition to your skills. I have been learning Fusion 360 and have been lucky enough to have a friend with a Tormach allow me to do some simple projects, under his close watch. So much to CNC that I would like to learn and apply. Thanks very much for sharing and good job.
Awesome Adam, great to see you having fun learning your new machines
As a CNC operator (Plasma, Laser, Router) I am keen to learn milling and routing. Cant wait to see more of it from Adam.
Thanks for sharing this adventure with us enjoyed the video.
Hi Adam Thanks for another tour, this time being the CNC Mill. It's amazing at the speed of these machines & what they can do. I liked the auto tool changes, this alone would save heaps of time .
Muscle memory is funny. I was thinking the same thing when I was learning. Best of success to you!
Learning which part of the screen to look at is a big part of the muscle memory
Tip for 1st time cnc User. Put the rapid feed rate Waaay down . Like 200mm/min that will save the machines when running programs first time. 👋🙂
Milltronics movement dial is a life saver! I've used them progressively for years.
I think the CNC machines are a great addition to the shop. Especially if the shop gets into production work. However, I hope most of the videos will still have a lot of manual content. KOKO!
You are essentially learning to communicate with the machine, and need to learn it's language. The machine is your employee, and you need to learn how to let it know what you want it to do.
Hey Adam.
It's great to see you finally taking the plunge into CNC Machining.
I remember some time ago you were talking about doing something eventually.
Milltronics are a nice machine to own and run.
I'm sure you will learn to Love the Conversational Controller.
It's good to see you taking a different path and choosing a lesser known USA made brand of CNC Machine.
Talk about a steep learning curve. I hope we're still going to see some of your "manual" work regularly.
It’s actually not that bad. Once you have your post-processor setup for your CAD/CAM system (I.e, Fusion360, etc) it’s mostly a matter of point-and-click. Rarely do you ever need to hand-write G-code.
@@jeffreylee7184 IIRC, he got a Mac to do his video editing on. That machine will run Fusion360 quite nicely (I speak from experience on that one; I run Fusion360 on both a M1 MacBookPro I picked up last November, and an Intel i7 27” iMac from 2015). That obviates the need to build a PC to run Fusion360 on (and yes - if you aren’t already either a computer pro or an enthusiast - learning how to do that very much can be both a steep and expensive learning curve).
My experience picking up Fusion360 wasn’t too difficult; but there will definitely be some time spent watching RUclips videos to get the hang of it… and quite a bit of just sitting down and playing with it. I’d say it’s more time-consuming than difficult.
Already being a master machinist will help him immensely, as he already knows how the fundamental cutting process works on an intuitive level, and is already used to working in three-dimensional space to make parts. If he was, say, an English major who never did anything else but literary studies; then I’d say yes, the learning curve would be far steeper because then he’d truly be starting from nothing.
🤔
It’s like learning a new language!! You know what you want to say, but can’t say it!! I know you’re excited! Mill and lathe look awesome!! You will be fine, take your time. You’re going to love those machines!!
@0:45. If you need to load a long stock bar. Will you cut a hole in the exterior wall to feed in from the outside?
Impressive technology, I really enjoyed the video. Thank you.
Congratulations, Adam.
Looking forward to seeing your 3rd miltronic machine once it is ready to make chips!
The big boy is not a Milltronics. It's made by Flex, just like the tapping arms. And that Flex mill will show everyone why there's just a little tapping arm in this shop.
I'm a back yard manuel machines guy . I need people like you to show me the way. Thanks Adam.
Cnc is not as hard as people think it is or make it out to be. You'll develop your own technique. You should always be willing to listen to suggestions. Sometime someone else have a better way of doing things doesn'thurt to learn from other programmers. Machinists who think they'rethe best and refuse to learn will get left behind.
As a woodworker that would love to get onto CNC routering, I can appreciate the fact that it's not the mechanical skill but the ability to work the program that is intimidating.
Lots to learn enjoy thanks for sharing
Glad you finally made the jump to cnc! If you ever make the leap to some cad cam software you could probably pay off all that equipment In a year, the federal reserve wishes it could print money like a cnc machine
Get a chip cleaner fan tool for your cnc and have it part of your last program step
The fan blows clear any coolant and chips and makes your quality of life when removing parts worlds easier and aids with clean up
its a Game changer for CNC
I am also on a cnc journey too, been a manual machine person since birth but once you go cnc its hard to go back..
loving the contect too keep it going Abom
You're like a little kid on Christmas. I love it!
Congrats on the new machines! Looks like you will be well on your way in no time!
Amazing man!!! Keep it up!!! In a couple of years, imagine what you'll be building!
For you folks who look at the past as being better, these CNC systems do exactly the same thing as the old systems, except you don't have to fiddle with knobs. Well, you do fiddle with knobs, but they are digital and not manual. The properties of materials has not changed, the technology has adapted. It's great that someone who has been trained in the manual operation of machines to move into CNC. The only thing that changes is what kind of knobs you twist.
@@crispindry2815 It's not for everyone. Check out Keith Rucker's site. Me, I like watching the migration from "traditional" machinery to current technology. Hey, if you're interested in Ancient Greek Machining, look at Clickspring's Antikytheria Mechanism videos. He's trying to recreate the machining techniques they used back then based on the X-Ray's of the Antikytheria Mechanism. Fascinating stuff.
Oh the possibilities! Capable of doing some amazing things if you have the ingenuity and the programming.
Great vid!...maaan....you're gonna get spoiled with those machines lol. Never forget your roots with "The Rebelion"....
Thanks Adam you are learning the basics
The neat part about CNC is its just like telling an apprentice what to do, but he problem is that apprentice does exactly what you tell it. There are two types of CNC operator, those that have crashed one, and those that lie about them never crashing one.
really love this man ... so humble
Keep it up Adam, love your work!
spray welding cam shafts and now this.. doing big things my friend keep up the good work... ive been wanting to take the step from manual milling/turning to CNC work myself.. been teaching myself Mastercam the last few months.. A good CAD/CAM software like that will make operating those machines a breeze once u get the hang of the controls.. its also a plus having Mastercam or whatever program you use to run your toolpaths virtually so you can address any possible errors prior to machining
Can't wait to see more.
A long time ago I used to run a Miltronics Partner CNC knee mill. That was the best controller I have ever run, and that thing was built in the late 90s.
we have a partner knee mill in the shop also, but ours only has the dro. but for its age, im extremely impressed with its accuracy and ease of use
I miss operating CNC like this. I did it for a little over 10 years.
I'm pretty sure I heard Adam's heart stop as that spindle dropped to cut in that pocket keyway!
Why doesn't he take the rapids down
@@Hendreh1 He just puts it in FULL SEND MODE! ha!
can some of you Americans tell me why you chamfer after threading? Where i come from (europe) i learned that you do it before threading for 2 reasons: 1. so your Tap has a guide when entering the hole. 2. so you dont push the first thread into the hole again. I see this on so many American youtube videos, and i'm surprised everytime. can someone explain?
the most important part of chamfering is this: don't cut any corners
Such a joy to watch Adam
for keyways, in case you did'nt know. To get from the from touching the shaft to a perfect flat. Its width of keyway squared divided by 4 X OD of shaft. Hope that makes sense!
What a great tip 😀
Thanks Adam, it’s hard to start learning again and you are just doing fine 👌👏👏👏👏👍🍺🇬🇧