mostly_gas
Super Member
I served my apprenticeship then work as a tool maker for several years. The first machine I ran in the building was a shaper the same age as I was 
Any machinists out there?
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Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
Anybody ever actually run an old Brown and Sharpe cam actuated screw machine?
scgargoyle
Gold Member
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I ran those back in the 70's, as well as multi-spindles and Swiss screw machines. We used to make our own cams, too. I think those old machines are what did in my hearing- that's a lot of noise!
Gale Hawkins
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Every listen to small stamped parts being tumbed in a metal 5 gallon bucket on the next lathe over all day. :laughing:
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No, but I've spent weeks on a punch press pressing out thousands of parts day after day...
Kind of have to get into the ZEN moment and become one with the machine... not literally of course.
I bought my own hearing protection and within the first 10 minutes I had guys asked me what I said to get em... I said I walked into the sporting goods store on the way home last night and bought them for $4.99...
om21braz
Veteran Member
+1 I actually think that is more annoying being in the office hearing it run.
mostly_gas
Super Member
I was a punch press operator part time during summers in high school/college. Had the pres in front of me and the Vibrodynes behind me. It got LOUD when more that one of the Vibrodynes were running behind me. Not to mention the favorite way of part ejection was air blast .
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Amelia Farms
Member
Been doing it for 30 years. Owned my own shop now for 25 years. All CNC production work now. I for one love CNC, wouldn't have it any other way.
We are having our best year since '07, one of our best ever sales wise. But it sure is harder than ever to make a buck on the bottom line. We have some great machinists here in the shop, I try my best to give them everything they need, and pay them well with good a good bonus in the good years.
There is still a lot of manufacturing in this country, yes it has changed over the years, but it has always been that way. Can't remember the last time I got an order for a buggy whip.
We are having our best year since '07, one of our best ever sales wise. But it sure is harder than ever to make a buck on the bottom line. We have some great machinists here in the shop, I try my best to give them everything they need, and pay them well with good a good bonus in the good years.
There is still a lot of manufacturing in this country, yes it has changed over the years, but it has always been that way. Can't remember the last time I got an order for a buggy whip.
Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
You're a great American! Mind I ask what the average pay is for a man who can do unsupervised setups?
300UGUY
Super Member
That's pretty much the wage rates here. I was talking to a friend of mine who is still in the T&D biz. His journeymen, with 20+ years, top out at $15. He says that's what the economics are. The last toolmaker to graduate a apprenticeship that I know of did so in 1986. I don't know of any apprenticeships for T&D that are still active. The local community colleges don't offer much anymore, because there is little demand. Why spend thousands to go to school for 2+ years to make $15? I am a 3rd generation toolmaker. If I had a kid that wanted to go into manufacturing, I'd consider myself a failure.
