Manual or CNC Machining...Which takes MORE SKILL?

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#CNC #Machining #Machinist

[bigskyhobbycorner]

I am a machinist with 26 years in the trade. I am well versed in both conventional and CNC work. There is a lot of skill required in both. When it comes to CNC, in my mind I look at how I would do it conventionally and apply it using CNC methods and then I do what I can to make it as efficient as possible.

[CatNolara]

There's also a huge difference in CNC operator and CNC machinist. Operators are mostly just there to swap out parts, clean, and push buttons while CNC machinists make the setups and do the programming etc. as well. There are of course lots of different layers between those extremes, but if the old timers only saw CNC operators they might get the wrong idea.

Anyway, the way I see it CNC machining takes a lot of the human error out of the process to make it more consistent and it gives you more opportunities to think about the best strategies to use while you don't have to waste time cranking handles.

[sirbilliam]

On a professional level I am 100% on board with using CNC over manual, but if I'm at home and I just want to make something and relax I'd rather use manual. For me there is something therapeutic with using a Bridgeport, but if I need to get a job done effective; CNC is what I would use any day of the week.

[tricycleguy]

A truly intelligent person has an open mind to accept new knowledge

[ronoldenbeuving]

I started as an apprentice toolmaker in the early 80s, and learned to do everything manually including designing on a drawing board. Over time, I learned to program and set up CNCs and this led to modelling and CAD design. Each requires its own skill set, but they all need a thorough understanding of the basics.

[chas]

In my opinion manual and cnc machining shouldn't be directly compared, they both have their uses.

CNC is king for large scale production work.
Manual machines are more suitable for repairs and low complexity & (very) low volume production runs.

[johnkurpiewski]

It’s about being efficient and creating a proven process . I’m 40 years old and just learning solidworks and mastercam, I started running cnc and got obsessed with feeds and speeds and still making a good part, that’s what got me promoted.

[eddrm]

"I'm not that good... But I'm slow!!!"

Best thing to say when applying for a union job, almost guaranteed to get it.

[ChrisSmithCenterline]

So for 25 years I sat at a desk and wrote software. I can code in ANY language and if a new one pops up I can learn it in hours. I can honestly say that being a good machinist is MUCH more difficult. There is just so much stuff going on that it becomes a learning process that can be never ending depending on how far you want to go. If your a machinist don't ever let anyone look down on you. Thanks for the great video!

[ricardo-iwsq]

The main thing is its a different skill set, when my dad started jig boring you would have to set up slip blocks to set up position then came the accurate glass scale dro then came cnc so as time goes on the machines get better but then you need expensive software to run them. CNC and manual go hand in hand because some jobs given to a manual machine would be quicker than setting up on a cnc but if you want to hog out material then cnc kicks ass. As long as the job that comes off a machine meets the customer needs then we are all winners, but what pisses me off the most is when some graduate student thinks they are a designer but when you say to them just because you can draw it on a computer it doesn't mean you can make it, all cad guys need to have old school bench practice just for basic under standing of how to hold and fixture something.

[freddyrasheed]

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY, keep up with the industry as it grows, or you will be running a mill in your garage.

[danielthompson]

It’s a different set of skills but I’m definitely a fan of the Idea that you should know how to manually machine before using cnc

[anthonydevault]

Ive gone from being a machinists helper too head lathe guy too a supervisor role and then a CNC Machinist. Lots of different things you can learn and do in our trade.

[massimilianocipriani]

"It's easy to do that on a CNC Machine, try to do that on a manual machine"
"It's easy to do that on a manual machine, try to do that using a file"
"It's easy to do that with a file, try to do that using a flint"
"Unga bunga flint, unga bunga bunga unga smash"

Usually the conversation goes this way.

[TheBonnetq]

Thank you for this video! It hit me. I feel physical pain when I hear, "That's the way we've always done it"
**hulk smash**

[stonemorge]

I am an industrial Maintenance / electrical repair tech by trade. The old school manual stuff still has its place such as for repairing a one-off shaft or such. For multi piece count parts or production runs I would go CNC all the way. they both take a tremendous amount of skill to be able to program the CNC or crank handle on a manual mill/ lathe.

[Holzfaust]

i could really use a german version of this video to show it to my employees. Nice Work

[ayatotakema]

i incredibly respect CNC machine operators/programmers and i can only think of 2 things that would be faster:
1 material prepping: y know Facing stuff while the CNC is chuggin away
2: dovetailing cmon its only 2 line while the machine is chuggin away you can make extra billets with a faced surface and dovetail

[trevorgoforth]

I was going to easily type out my thoughts here but I think I’ll write a note and send it to you via carrier pigeon instead, should be there in a couple weeks! Lol great video dude!

[Mfgguy]

Its an unproductive argument. All machining is picking the right tools for the job within your unique set of constraints.

A better discussion would be, where can people even learn manual machining?

Or, which companies are willing to take someone from high school with no experience other than online training, and start them in a paid apprenticeship program?