Check it out ...

www.northerndtool.com

Dimitri

Nobody got anything to say?

Dimitri

Aahh..
more pictures?

Check out the areas in the measuring section? There are pictures there. However I tried to limit the number of pictures, as since I have been and will be adding more educational content on the site, and I realize there are still people even in Canada and the US stuck on 56K dial up, I figured I'd keep the "extra" pictures to a minimum.

Dimitri

I was a machinist many years ago, so apreciate the "You know you are a machinist when" section!! We'll be watchin' ya 'Mitri!!!!!

I wish I could take credit, but all I did is compile the list.

Dimitri

That is ok, you did a fine job of it!!!!!

Had a pretty good look at it 'Mitri...not too poorly mate...ya done a good job.

Cheers, Vince

LOVE the "You know you're a machinist . . " section

When you can think of about 5 ways to make an easier living......and don't give any of 'em a second thought

So true!! A toolmaker for many years, I went back to school for my ME degree. Screwed my life up. It's been SO HARD finding companies that let an engineer touch anything sharper than a crayon - but I've mostly managed to stick with small places that let me double as a toolmaker.

WHAT A SHOCK it was to find how removed from reality most engineering students (and many professors) are.

Marty, you would be amazed at how many get a degree and then have to be taught what they need to know to do their job. I had to train degreed chemists in lab work. We all go to school to get the tools whereby we get an education as we go through life!!!

Here's one you'll appreciate.
I had a guy come in with a part and say, "I need ten of these, just like this one. I'll pay extra to put a rush on this - need them right away."
He finally showed up to pick up the parts three days later, after I had finished them that same evening.
An hour after picking them up, the guy comes back.
"What's the matter with you?" he asks, "These don't work either."

So far so good. If you need advice or whatnot just hollar.

My wife is an ex-machinist actually. She worked at a plant that made diamond drillbits for the oil drilling industry (the huge bits the drill rigs used). She did it for 7 years or so until we had our first kid.

Oddly, I was looking up a home hobby lathe this morning, I'd love to get one for minor hobby machining


-DallanC

Due to popular demand I added more pictures and I added some files that may be of interest.

Dimitri

Your site has a lot of information but Not too much on Stainless Steel.
I am making a knife out of what I believe is 440-c3 stainless but I would like to know for sure.
It is hard and tough white metal non-magnetic - even with a rare earth magnet the smallest magnet does not hold its own weight (1/8"dia. x 1/4")
Working it with a file leaves a smooth surface without any perceptable ridges and the surface will reflect blurred images in good light. I haven't hit it with a grinder so I have no idea what the sparks would look like.
I have worn out two files on it and broken one by using too much pressure. What can I do to find out what the bar is made of?

Paul,

Never worked much with stainless myself, but I can tell you who ever sold you that piece of steel lied to you. The 400 series of stainless steels are magnetic, it would probably be a 300 series.

May be able to find a better answer here ... www.ssina.com/faq/index.html

The saying I learned over time from others is "When in doubt about a block of steel its just mild steel". Due to the cost of analyzing the material is way out of reach for just about everyone plus the safety implications if you provide the customer with the wrong material for a safety application.

Dimitri