This would probably be a question for guys like Kevin....
I have been getting interested in machining, and watching some videos. Tubalcain included for sure. I get a little sleepy though.
But I found this guy, Toms Techniques
https://www.youtube.com/user/Figbash3, and to me, he REALLY reminds me of a shop teacher. I guess he was at one point.
Is he setting a good example for me? I find him very easy to understand, so I'm hoping yes is the answer !
I don't know squat yet, don't own any machines and would be starting from zero.
I've watched his videos also, and to answer your question.....Yes, he is setting a good example for you. But remember, you only get out of it what you absorb into the gray matter. Toms Techniques, Tubalcain, and a lot of the others that you run across, can all be good as long as you pay attention, and learn to distinguish the bunk from the mix. I have watched a few videos put up that can get a person into trouble safety wise. Learn your safety basics first, learn your machines second, learn your materials third, and learn your machining fourth. Once you have the first three down, the fourth will come a lot easier. Safety and machines is pretty much a given, but why materials? Materials all machine differently. You need to learn what materials do what and why, and you can't do that without #1 and #2....safety and machines. Aluminum machines way easier than steel, but can grab and get you into trouble. Some material can heat up quicker than others and swell SHUT instead of the old adage of heat expands, cold contracts. You can drill and ream aluminum and get a perfect size hole depending on your speed, feed, and lubricants. Use the same on a piece of titanium and snap a drill or reamer because it swelled shut on your tool.
Like I tell everyone when it comes to machining....become one with the material, become one with your machine. Both will talk to you and tell you whether things are good or whether they are bad. Learn to listen to both.
But yes.....Tom's Techniques will teach you what you need to know as far as BASICS. Tubalcain's videos will do the same. You need to learn the basics, then let you machine talk to you. No lesson online will teach you 100% what you need to do, and no person will teach you 100% what to do, but they will teach you the basics that you need to know. After you learn the basics, then you go out on your own and hone your learned skills. You will find that certain things can be done faster one way that another way, but what you ultimately want to strive for is perfection or as close to it as you can get.
And to add to things when it comes to machining....learn what you can, and above all, have fun. Machining is an art. It is taking a block of raw material and cutting away what you don't need to bring forth a usable object. And just like two artist, both may arrive at the same looking sculpture, but the way they arrived there was totally different. Enjoy what you do.
Who has cannon fuse in their machine shop??? LOL
I really MISS teachers like that. Thank you for sharing!