Best machine for someone who really wants learn and become a machinist

[Toolmaker51]

That is the way I learned.
But, I never hated it.
Bought the machine, said " Self, we gonna learn or die "
I was ok with that.
I learned.
But I already had a full conventional machine shop.

A running conventional shop supports a half-throttle CNC way better than other way 'round.
Full dependence on a CNC alone, makes overhead an issue every minute of every day, even when the lights are out.

 

[snowshooze]

That is the way I learned.
But, I never hated it.
Bought the machine, said " Self, we gonna learn or die "
I was ok with that.
I learned.
But I already had a full conventional machine shop.

Damn.
That is exactly what I did.
Bought the machine.
Sold the jobs...
Then, the hard part started.
I bought them old video's from Hans.
A bunch of books..
Somehow, I pulled it off.
It was do-or-die.

 

[snowshooze]

A running conventional shop supports a half-throttle CNC way better than other way 'round.
Full dependence on a CNC alone, makes overhead an issue every minute of every day, even when the lights are out.

I cannot completely agree.
I was a conventional Machinist for over 30 years before I broke into CNC.
I am good. But I could not support the entire business on my feet and cranking knobs by hand.
As a half-assed CNC machinist, I could carry the shop without even hitting the O.T.

 

[Toolmaker51]

I cannot completely agree.
I was a conventional Machinist for over 30 years before I broke into CNC.
I am good. But I could not support the entire business on my feet and cranking knobs by hand.
As a half-assed CNC machinist, I could carry the shop without even hitting the O.T.

Undeniable, there are products or combinations of job shop customers that a single CNC could support.