Originally Posted by Cooper (Post 152797)

Thanks guys!! Well my brain has been bleeding out!! Smoke from my ears and sometimes nostrils!!! Not having any background in cnc, cad (very little) and none in cam. I figured what better way to start than making track links in a fixture with multiple parts with multiple operations!! I don't have the stock 3/8" plate I wanted to use to make 12 at a time so I'm using square stock and going to make 4 at a time. Well two and a finishing opp for the other two. Then another rotated for screw holes. I'm in the deep end of my gene pool and no lifeguards ,,,, I don't think my lineage had ever intended for me to do this!!

Some things are starting to come together but just when the do something else!! Now I need to find any good cutters I have and input all those numbers!! The material and tool list keeps growing!! At least the small cutters are not bad price wise:).



Hats of to you guys that do this stuff all day!! I've been trying to make my biggest foe my friend,,, the computer,,, but all those times I didn't agree are now paying back!! One day I may be on friendly terms with they keyboard!!! Humm., reminds me I'm out of beer! That makes ugly women look better, wonder if it makes computer work better!??!!?!?

Originally Posted by tc1cat (Post 152812)

Cooper, After almost 30 years of running CNC equipment, the best advice I can give you is "TAKE YOUR TIME!!" Don't rush anything. Since you are paying for everything and have a wife to contend with, this will help save money. She should be happy that you are-1) HOME and not in a bar, 2) Trying to learn something new, & 3) Trying to save money by making things yourself. Now you need to try and hide the cost of tooling and tool holders :rolleyes: You can't do this but you can try!!

Enjoy your new mill. You will get the hang of it

Originally Posted by modelman (Post 153001)

Cooper-seems you have the new "cnc gizmo" figured out. Are you making another dozer or making new links for your D11? I know nothing about this modern stuff but have another silly question- wouldn't it make sense to cut the links out of wider stock and not hack up your vise jaws? Keep posting pictures and how about a video of the mill working.

Originally Posted by 9W Monighan (Post 153028)

When you go to making the links out of steel; Try some 11L17 or other free machining steel. Stessproof (1144)is nice stuff but you can only get it in rounds.

Originally Posted by Cooper (Post 153197)

Thanks guys!! Another day older!!! When we are young we can't wait till the next birthday, now that I'm older I wish I wasn't!! Lol!!
Well I've been messing with the new mill and am slowly getting use to it. I'll try and post some progress pics shortly but in the mean time,, keeping with my scattered off topic thread the mascot of Great Dane construction company,, this was a few years ago.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/...psqytunj3s.png


Hey ed, missed your call but I'll try and get in touch with you sometime today, weather is nice and am doing some early spring clean up around house and barn. Thanks to snowplow dipsh$&s most of my yard is curled up in a pile along driveway!!