Sherline tool status

Raymond,

This is material for instructors to use at classes (these are being purchased specifically for use for the Sherline classes) and there will be a material fee of $5 for the class to cover the cost and to buy consumables like cutters. But the Machine Shop is otherwise not in the business of selling materials not associated with a class.

Also, when we buy materials we use our non-profit tax exempt status - the materials are consumed in the course of giving the class. We can’t buy material tax free for individuals.

There may be enough interest to do a consolidated order (think Adafruit orders). There are significant prices reductions if you buy standard lengths, which are typically 10’ and usually 12’ lengths. Example on the bar above for a 12" vs 2’:
12 foot length, standard size, about a $12 a foot

2 foot length, includes cutting charge, about $15 a foot or 25% more.

However, if you wanted say a 4’ piece and someone else an 8’ piece they’ll do one free cut on a full piece. Where this becomes beneficial really is when buying sheet or plate. Most people don’t need a full sheet. The standard is typically size 10’ x 4’. You could have them cut it into 2 - 4’ x 5’ pieces or a 4’x 6’ and a 4’ x 4’ (much much easier to handle).

Big thing is getting a pickup or trailer, the weight adds up fast. In fact we had to buy a 8’ sheet for the work table because a 10" would fit in Tim’s Beastmobile (would love to have them do a load into the Cruel Bus). If enough people order the same items there a quantity discounts available.

Why can’t a class be about making tools instead of trinkets?

They can be. What do you have in mind? Develop and teach one. Right now we are primarily focused on the intro classes so folks can begin learning to use the machines.

Most project classes above a small item or “trinket” - require multiple classes to cover. We tried a steam engine build that took about 5 or 6 sessions (5-6 weeks). Many dropped out because when they missed a class it was “Oh well” and quit coming.

I personally think teaching classes that focus on a specific skills that can be applied to any project is more valuable. Take making a simple rectangular spinner, skills required, beyond the basic Bridgeport class:

  1. Squaring up precisely,
  2. Precisely locating the center,
  3. Drilling and reaming a precision hole perpendicular to surface
  4. Pressing in a bearing using an arbor press or
  5. Staking it verses gluing it if not an interference fit.
  6. Final dynamic balancing

Say you now want to fancy it up with round ends vs square:

  1. Use of a rotary table
  2. Clamping fixturing it without marring it
  3. Dynamic balancing, same as 6 above
  4. Jeweling the surface

Now these are all skills that can be used on anything. “Trinkets/simple objects” are chosen because the techniques needed can be demonstrated in a single class. An actual object may not be completely made but what is needed to do the steps needed is.

Making the tool I linked to covers this on the lathe: cutting things down to size, facing them, knocking off the sharp corners, knurling, boring, copying a profile, and polishing. It would use a small rotary table on the Sherline mill to get the holes on precise angles drilled and tapped (using the collet as a guilde for tapping the holes.)

Watch the 2 part video.

There has to be a tool which is:

  1. Useful for most people to keep or give away.
  2. Simple enough to be taught in an hour or two.
  3. Not so precise that a rank beginner tends to make a useless chunk of scrap.

I’m blank.

I would say it is because ‘trinkets’ garner more interest among members that are already NOT machinist.Feel free to develop such a class for the membership.

At discount you can get drops of aluminum for 2.50 a lb. They had plenty of 1" & 1 1/2" round stock. Even the 2" wasn’t too expensive like 20$ for 2 ft

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