M98P1

Confessions of a carbide smuggler

[m98p1]

Welcome back!

Suffice it to say, I've been gone for a while. A few months ago I landed a new job and it's definitely a much larger challenge, but a very welcome one. Hopefully enough dust has settled that I can start this project again. My mission for this blog is to share with you my love of manufacturing, with a big focus on metal cutting. I will also share the things I learn on my day to day life. Feel free to ask me any technical questions, too, and I will do the best I can to answer them.

[m98p1]

It's here! After much suffering and borrowing (don't get me started on why the shop doesn't have spare calipers), my shiny new set is here. They will replace my old Brown & Sharpe dial calipers, which died by choking on some nasty tiny chips (milling!). I work primarily with small pieces so the tip of the caliper was worn down a good .001", compared to the inner parts.

[m98p1]

So how does one deal with a potentially gangrenous career path?

I am freakin stagnant. I keep offering to help those that would clearly benefit. I take the initiative to fine tune jobs. I share my knowledge. What happens? I get dumped into a corner with two EOL machines running odd jobs. I feel like my skills are wasting away in a sea of worn spindle bearings and nasty red cutting fluid.

[m98p1]

Looking Ahead 2 - Generations: Sandvik has got some really smart people working for them. I wouldn't hate working there.

[m98p1]

Some 5s toolbox love.

[crockeronline2-blog]

Woman machinist, Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach, CA. 1942

Image credit: Alfred T Palmer

[t-argentsol]

1/14 scale model Bridgeport milling machine by Barry J. Jordan.

[gofastwhitey]

[m98p1]

Aaaaaiiight

After a long hard pause ( really just procrastinating), this epic blog is back. I had to hit the reset button but I'm coming in strong. My dial calipers decided to crush and swallow some minuscule chips (milling, smh), so I had to get a new set. This means you will see a comparo/review in the next few days. I will pit the shop standard Brown & Sharpe against the newcomer Sylvac. I have played with some of the new Sylvac stuff and I walked away quite impressed. Hang tight!