Back in 1978 I was a freshman in college pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. I took a class called Manufacturing Processes where I first used a lathe. I enjoyed that experience and a few years later I had the opportunity to work a summer job in a machine shop. I was an NC lathe operator; not a programmer, just an operator. Just change the parts and check the tolerances, and don’t touch anything. Those were my instructions.
Fresh out of college, I took a job selling CNC machines. I got to see some amazing shops all over the country. I learned that saving a few seconds on a part is a big deal. I learned about all the various tool geometries and carbide grades, and CNC programming. What a great experience!
Many years later, after working in manufacturing, managing a shop, and owning a computer business, I have gone back to machining parts. This time it’s my company. It was a soft start. I purchased a manual lathe; later a milling machine. Then a couple of CNC machines. All this happened over several years. I first licensed my business in 2015. Now, I’m making parts again. I have a few steady customers and I’m looking for more.