My current project in Machine Tool class is not going well. I suppose that it would more accurate to say that it is going haltingly. The project itself is a 1-2-3 block (when finished, it will measure 1" by 2" by 3"), with numerous holes running through it. Most go all the way through the part, though some only go part-way through the part. Keeping track of all that is challenging enough on its own. The problem of the holes is only compounded by the fact that most of the holes are large enough that they cannot be drilled to the necessary dimensions right away. I have to drill a pilot hole first, to make room for the larger drill to come in a clear away material.
The reason I say that it is going haltingly is that I have to keep stopping to clear out broken bits. Our instructor tried to demonstrate something on my part, and broke off part of a drill bit inside the part. I cleared the obstruction by drilling into it from the other side, but lost a second drill bit in the process. Yesterday, another drill bit piece got stuck, and today I wrecked a carbide endmill attempting to get it out (I succeeded, eventually). And then, towards the end of class today, yet another drill bit broke, lodging part of itself deep enough inside the piece to make removal a hassle.
By my count, I'm up to five cutters ruined, and I'm not even sure how close to being done I actually am! Between the numerous holes I must account for, the pilot holes required at nearly every step, and the fact that I'm working on two of these blocks at once (it's currently one large block that will be sawed in half and rendered as two blocks), I'm not sure if this project is nearly completed or barely started!
All the same, I continue to press on forward. I really, really don't want to have to start over.
No comments:
Post a Comment