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Hello from Southern California

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Phrog:
Yes I am from California... So please do not hold that against me :drool:

It was just luck I found this site.... But I have not stopped reading since.
Such a wealth of information and great people thus far.

My main interest is in lathes and mills.... Which I have never used but have been wanting to for a few years now.

Any advise on both regarding buying one or both would be greatly appreciated.

The first question that I will answer is... What do I plan on doing with it?  Well I am got sure... To tell the truth.  Learning is the first thing... But I would like to try metal working for sure.

I am also trying my hand at CNC... Just bought MasterCam learning materials...

I am a aircraft mechanic by trade.... So between playing on aircraft I plan on getting some spin time in.

If anyone knows of lathe training in the LA/IE ( Los Angles / Inland Empire ) please let me know.

krv3000:
hi and welcume

stovebolt:
Hi Phrog,

Relatively speaking I'm not too far from you,  Lake Havasu.   There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing , budget, what's available, old iron / new Chinese, how much space do you have, etc.   Here are some sites that might help you.

     http://www.mini-lathe.com/

    This question has popped up many times here

     http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/forums/3-General


    http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/


    As for training, you might check with some local community colleges  or watch a lot of Youtube videos  and slowly get your feet wet.

   Jim 
 

mklotz:
Where exactly are you located in SoCal?  I'm near Torrance and belong to a local metalworking club, SCHSM,

http://www.schsm.com/

which meets at El Camino JC.  They have metalworking classes.

Also, if you're near Pasadena this Saturday, Little Machine Shop,

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/

is having an open house.  SCHSM, including me, will be displaying some of our projects and you'll be able to see and touch the equipment that LMS sells.

vtsteam:
Hi Phrog, and welcome! Here in Vermont, I'm about a day's drive closer to you than I am to the UK. Except i can't drive there!

If it appeals to you, another path might be to get copy of Dave Gingery's book on building a charcoal furnace for melting metal, and then his book on building a lathe with that furnace. That's what I did to start.

It gives you practice in practically every aspect of metalworking, from casting to sheet metal, to riveting, turning, scraping, measuring, grinding lathe tools, etc, and it also solves the "what should my first project be?" question rather usefully and enjoyably.

 I think building a lathe from scratch is a pretty good way to learn about how to use one, what it is, where they came from, and the amazing things you can do with very little. For instance, only a faceplate, centers, and angle plates -- all of which you make.

Having said that, also absolutely do not pass up the opportunity to connect with a metalworking club if one is near you.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll have fun and learn an immense amount no matter how you start.

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