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How best to explain what a machine tool is to someone completely ignorant of same ?

Milacron

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Location
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Odd question I know, but since I've got back into the dating scene and a woman finds out what I "do" most have no clue what any sort of machine tool actually is ! Seems to me the ideal, to keep them from yawning, would be an explanation that stresses just how important the trade is...nearly every complex material object on the planet starts its existence thanks to machining...including the clothes they are wearing ! (I feel a joke coming on about that :cool: )

So, has someone already written a fun and interesting (and short, soas not to bore the female mind) explanation of machine tools (including CNC), or am I going to have to do it myself ? :typing:


As an aside, I have even tried to use the concept of the ubiquitous hand held wood router to explain the similar concept of milling metal, but most don't even know what a router is ! LOL
 
Good question!

People inevitably ask what I do, and when I say "I own a precision cnc machine shop", they always give me the blank stare and ask "what is that?".

Once I explain it to them by basically saying "we use computerized metalworking machines to cut and shape metals into precision parts for industry", they say "you mean you can actually cut metal?":nutter:

And then of course it leads to the "I've got a grill with a broken hinge, reckon if I brought it by your machine shop, that you could fix it for me?"

Good grief....

ToolCat
 
Good question!

People inevitably ask what I do, and when I say "I own a precision cnc machine shop", they always give me the blank stare and ask "what is that?".

Once I explain it to them by basically saying "we use computerized metalworking machines to cut and shape metals into precision parts for industry", they say "you mean you can actually cut metal?":nutter:

And then of course it leads to the "I've got a grill with a broken hinge, reckon if I brought it by your machine shop, that you could fix it for me?"

Good grief....

ToolCat
LMAO...I can so relate... :D
 
I get that a lot too. Sitting next to someone on an airplane I smile and say hello be it a man or woman. I usually ask first "Going home or going for business?" Then after a while I work in "What do you do for a living?" Then they ask me. I used to say I teach Machine Tool Rebuilding and get the stare too,....and what is that? I start making it simpler. I then say "I teach Machinists how to repair their machines."

That usually get a response "Oh my Father or Uncle was a Machinist" It seems everyone has heard of that profession. If I still get the stare I say " I work in factories that make automobile motors , air conditioners and teach the people who make them how to fix them. They know what motors and AC's are. If They know what a machinist is I will say many machines are run by robots and computers now-a-days , other words most have heard of. Know and then I run into an Engineer and we talk the same language and the flight is short...The ones who have no cue, I get a blanket and go to sleep. After a free drink.....lol Rich
 
Picked up this girl one night and invited her to see my shop. Not sure what she expected, but I took the opportunity to demonstrate a toolroom-size lathe by taking a one-inch bar of 304 and drilling, boring, turning and polishing, until after about five minutes I had a recognizably ring-shaped object. After parting it off I then put it in a collet for the second op, radiusing the edges and boring to final size (what final size? Here, let's see if it fits). Ended up demonstrating a Dremel by putting her initials inside. She wore it when we got married a couple years later. She still has it, in her toolbox...but that's another story.

Your results may vary.
 
The easiest way to explain it is to show them a small relatively complex finished part. Ideally one that could be held in your hand. Then show them a piece of raw stock. Explain that the machines in your shop can make the finished part from the raw stock. If their eyes glaze over at that point there's no need to go any farther. If they seem interested you can go into more detail as to whether the machines are programed, or whether you, the skilled machinist, do it on manual machines.
 
Odd question I know, but since I've got back into the dating scene and a woman finds out what I "do" most have no clue what any sort of machine tool actually is ! Seems to me the ideal, to keep them from yawning, would be an explanation that stresses just how important the trade is...nearly every complex material object on the planet starts its existence thanks to machining...including the clothes they are wearing ! (I feel a joke coming on about that :cool: )

So, has someone already written a fun and interesting (and short, soas not to bore the female mind) explanation of machine tools (including CNC), or am I going to have to do it myself ? :typing:


As an aside, I have even tried to use the concept of the ubiquitous hand held wood router to explain the similar concept of milling metal, but most don't even know what a router is ! LOL

She probably knows what a hand saw, a table saw or a hand drill are. If not, dump her :D

Anyways, those are light tools for working materials that can be fashioned by hand holding (cue, take her by the hand now), either the work or the tool, whichever is suitable at the moment.

A machine tool is configured to hold both the work and the tool to cut materials that are so big and hard or heavy that you cannot hold either the work or the tool by hand, hence the name "machine tool". All that the machinist does is position the tool in the right place and flips a lever or pushes a button to engage the cutting action. He's a nobody, just a self-aggrandizer who thinks he's important to the world and he really needs a woman in his life, because women are nothing at all like machine tools. The contrast is delightful. :D
 
I often have to take a step back and check myself when talking to someone who's not in the trade. Its easy to forget most people don't know what a lathe compound is, or a carbide insert.

They don't even have shop in most schools anymore, it's a shame.
 
I took a girlfriend to a mold shop where I spent my apprenticeship (she insisted). I tried to explain to her what the machines' purpose were and had a mold already broken down. She had no clue what I was talking about (very understandable).
To this day, I REFUSE to talk about work outside of work unless it is a tooling vendor, tooling applications engineer, customer or someone else in the trade. It's just confusing to people not related to the trade and it gets nowhere quick.
 
I describe a mill as like a drill press (after asking if they know what a drill press is, most do) but instead of only using only drills, it can also use cutters that cut on the side. It also has a table under it that you mount your work to that moves back and forth and side to side so you can cut out shapes or pockets.

I then describe lathes by asking if they have ever seen how a bat is made (once again most say yes). I then use that as a basis to describe how a metal lathe holds the tool and has power feeds but works in a simler way

I then mention that a sheet of note book paper (or hair or what ever example you want) usually measures around .002" and the normal tolerances (some times i explain what tolerances are) I work to are about twice that size and some time less that half that.
 
You're over thinking this, they.... don't ....care ....what.... you do.
You have disposable income, a boat and a script for Viagra.
"I buy and sell machinery....BTW, do you like oral sex?"
David
 
I often have to take a step back and check myself when talking to someone who's not in the trade. Its easy to forget most people don't know what a lathe compound is, or a carbide insert.

They don't even have shop in most schools anymore, it's a shame.
And I have to remind myself that not everyone is widely intrested in technology of any sorts. :D My interests are pretty much technologically minded and if topic drifts to "smalltalk" sports, celebrity gossips or politics I usually switch to "mmm yeah" pretty fast.
 
In a slightly cocky-but-funny way, say "I buy and sell machine tools".
When she says "What's THAT"??
Say "Machine tools are used to make Diamonds".....with a smile and ;)
Then right after that say 'So how was your day"?
They like to be teased. Create suspense.
Do it the right way and you're being 'cute'
Do it the wrong way.....and your a jerk.
This varies with seasons, alignment of the stars and planets, which
shoes are on sale this weekend, and alcohol content of the wine.
Among other things.......
 
Every woman knows what a nail file and emery board is. Machining is just a computer controlled nail file on steroids.
 








 
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