We've got another one up! Here's a preview of the machinist article
for those new to the machining trade: "Help For Novices." If you wish
to view this article complete with images go to the article directory
at http://www.proshoppublishing.com/articles.html

Enjoy.

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"Help For Novices" (preview)

What is the best way to learn something? For my money, it's hard to
beat the "just do it" method, which may land you in hot water once in
a while. So be it.

The following are some basic shop practices for newcomers. The
information is also about avoiding blunders. Not all mistakes in a
machine shop are of the dimensional type. Blowing chips on the guy
next to you is an example of a nondimensional mistake. By learning
some of these basics, newcomers will be in a better position to work
independently and with other shop personnel.

- Avoid using the support table of a disc sander to deburr thin plates.

I've worked with two people who severely ground down their thumbs
trying to deburr the edges of a thin plate in a disc sander. As they
were sanding an edge, the plate got sucked into the small opening
between the table and the disc, which pulled the plate and their
thumbs into the disc. If you are going to deburr a plate with a disc
sander, make sure you hold the plate above the support table.

- Understand nominal sizes.

Nominal sizes are convenient labels used to discuss part sizes that,
in reality, nobody will ever hit. However slight, there is always some
tolerance or error in every machined part. People sometimes say, "Just
shoot for the nominal." That means if the nominal size you're working
to is 1/2", then you need to do your best, within reason, to machine
the part to 1/2", taking into account the type of machining process
being used. You wouldn't be expected to hold 1/2" nominal size as
closely with a milling machine as you would with a surface grinder.

- Know the difference between 'absolute' and 'incremental' ...

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Check out the rest of this article at
http://www.proshoppublishing.com/articles_novices.html

Best,
Joanna