GUN machining

[Big Frank]

It seems around here that most of the really good machinists are passing away. It is a terrible waste of talent as most of them do/did not have an apprentice.

That happens with too many true craftsmen no matter what trade they're in.

[Big Frank]

Not actually unreasonable .
That's why machinists spend so much time learning to use a file.   


Say, There is ONE person nearby I could ask. 
So BAC, how do you feel about personal projects ?   

(Not a serious question, I know how it is     )

I remember reading about an old machinists or metalworkers exam, in Germany IIRC, where they were given a chunk of steel and a file. Then they made a 1" cube (or whatever the measurement was) with no other metal working tools. Slap it in a vise, file, check for level, file, check for square, etc., until you had your perfect little steel cube. Or you didn't. It was a GO - NO GO kind of test, pass or fail. It wasn't like high school woodshop where we were graded on a kerf.

[tombogan03884]

I remember reading about an old machinists or metalworkers exam, in Germany IIRC, where they were given a chunk of steel and a file. Then they made a 1" cube (or whatever the measurement was) with no other metal working tools. Slap it in a vise, file, check for level, file, check for square, etc., until you had your perfect little steel cube. Or you didn't. It was a GO - NO GO kind of test, pass or fail. It wasn't like high school woodshop where we were graded on a kerf.

Project #1 of pretty much any good machining course.
When C&Rsenal talks about Werndle getting sick of filing in Dad's factory, he doesn't mean shuffling papers.   
One of my 3D print programs is a 25.4mm XYZ cube   
That is actually the purpose.
You are making a calibration cube so your first project is your first functional tool.

[PegLeg45]

I remember reading about an old machinists or metalworkers exam, in Germany IIRC, where they were given a chunk of steel and a file. Then they made a 1" cube (or whatever the measurement was) with no other metal working tools. Slap it in a vise, file, check for level, file, check for square, etc., until you had your perfect little steel cube. Or you didn't. It was a GO - NO GO kind of test, pass or fail. It wasn't like high school woodshop where we were graded on a kerf.

We had to pass a test like this in HS machine shop class before we were allowed to test on the machinery. The teacher gave us a 4" long bar of 2" x 3/8" cold-rolled, two files and a blueprint....and we were allowed to use a 6" bench vise to clamp it in. I still have the piece somewhere in my trappings.