Just joined. Need some suggestions.

[bigbanddave]

Hello to all.

I have been looking at this site for awhile and think it is excellent and joined to get into the fray. Frankly, I'm a little envious of people who have the skills to create the very fine works that are exhibited on this site and would love to be able to, at the very least, duplicate some of these same items.

I have worked with and been around tools and machinery for most of my life, but was never trained in machining, etc. Where would you suggest I start to get up to speed to learn to use a lathe, a milling machine, layout work, accurate measuring etc. If possible, please recommend specific books or titles of videos that you have either had success with yourself or know that others have used successfully.

I will be fully retired in about 9 months and will have some dollars to purchase a modest amount of equipment. Until then, I have nothing but time to get up to speed at least as far as reading or watching videos.

Also, has anyone used Tooling U's webpage to help them?

And lastly, would anyone be able to recommend a basic laundry list of hand tools and machinery to start out with so that I will be able to develop "hands on" experience (as opposed to just reading books or watching a video)

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you to all.


Two of my favorite quotes: "Speed without quality means nothing". Unknown
"Quality is Contagious" Bridge City Toolworks