Keyways Machined in the Flex CNC

We're setting up our first customer job in the Flex cnc machine. While the machining itself is rather quick and simple, this was a great opportunity for some training using the flex. The long bed of this mill is what makes it really shine giving you ample room for large or long workpieces. I setup three machine vises to hold the shaft so that we could mill the keyways required for both ends. Follow along as you see me trying and learning new things!
flexmachinetools.com
Paypal Channel Donation: www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
Support though Patreon: / abom79
My Amazon store where I'm adding many of the tools and products I use in my own shop. Amazon.com/shop/abom79
Visit my second KZbin channel where you can follow our travels, camping, RVing, cooking, and bbq!

[@jimyep9971]

You didnt learn old school way overnight. This will take time but youll get it.👍👍👍

[@shadow_stalk]

THIS IS WHAT THE TRADES ALL ABOUT! ive been watching you for years just to see some different ways of machining and just to maybe learn a few things!!! i am a swiss cnc machinist so none of what you did really applied to me but i was still eager to learn a few things... but seeing you now getting into the cnc world of machining i have nothing but respect for you! im a younge head and always called "the kid" im almost 30 now and im still called the kid... but no matter how long youve been a machinist no matter how much you think you know the one great thing about this trade is theres always more to learn, theres always a better way.. as a younge head its nice seeing some old heads getting into it and seeing their eyes light up and the smiles of how amazing these machines can be.. knowing the struggles theyve had to go thru and to come over and run a cnc machine is night and day! its deff a learning curve and your gonna mess some things up but once understand it i swear youll fall in love!! machining isnt just a job,it isnt just a career being a machinist is a passion!! keep it up abom your fucking killin it man!!!

[@spkrman15]

My 0.02 and I am no pro. 1. I would use g54 one end. G55 for the other. Any variation on height or location will be mitigated. Example. Dirt under the vice. 2. Use a smaller endmill. Do a roughing pass, measure and then comp the finish pass. A smaller endmill will let the chips clear out on the return pass, more room and it will be less likely to chatter on the circular move at the end. There are many ways to do the same job. I love your openness, Adam. Not easyvto do on the internet. Much respect 💯

[@alaspooryorick9946]

Watching the door on the tool changer slide shut with the noises of the air blast was like something out of star wars. This CNC stuff is such a can of worms. So many different parameters to keep track of. Great work Adam! Love it

[@ronnydowdy7432]

If you had did that job the regular milling machines you would have to turn the work piece around and it would have been hard to make the key way I n line. Very precision with the Flex CNC. Good job Adam. Looking forward to seeing more jobs and more chips lol.

[@MattOGormanSmith]

I've seen Adam do that, and he clocks the second keyway by deburring the first one then using a small machinist's level to get it vertical. That always seemed a little unpredictable to me but I guess it's never too critical to get the two keyways exactly in line, given that the shaft will twist some under load. He does it for aesthetics mostly.

[@ronnydowdy7432]

@@MattOGormanSmith yes you are right. I remember seeing him do that and he had his home shop setup to do things like that but as you remember he had to put a stand on the floor for something that long.

[@SweetTooth8989]

Been a big fan of Abom and other machining channels for a long time. Really happy for him that his machining and KZbin careers have been successful enough to allow him to grow his shop and machine tools so much. He's got a serious high end machine shop going now.

[@molitovv]

The beauty of CNC is that, the first one is the hardest, now you can do 100 more, way faster than with manual machines

[@GeorgeVeld]

Keep up the good work Adam and don't be afraid to show us your path and challenges along the way it is good for all of us to see them as we all learn along with you from them Again Thank you

[@JimWhitaker]

Great to see that first real job go so well.

[@stabilini]

Really nice to see all your progress over the last years !!!

[@josephcote6120]

Great starter production work. Not trivial, not too complicated. CNC machines are so smart now. The first one I ever saw in operation was the one my school had for the mechanical engineering students in 1982. Used a punched paper tape to load the cutting program. The demo they liked to give was cutting a small block of hardwood into a bolt. Was amazing to watch, I still have my 7/8" wooden bolt somewhere around here.

[@fredinit]

Adam, Been watching you since you were at Motion. Chips are chips. Be CNC, or manual. Best thing - you are getting to know both! Learning is a journey - not a destination.

[@kimber1958]

THANKS FOR THE RIDE, ADAM.

[@rodneywroten2994]

great job Adam. You have no problems learning thanks for sharing

[@aarongarney2118]

Must feel wonderful……all those countless hours I of preparation, culminating in the first paid job for this new machine. Beautiful!

[@frankcurley]

Transitioning between different machining styles is definitely a learning experience. Good luck to you on your journey!

[@angelramos-2005]

Excellent work,Adam.Thank you.

[@phildegruy9295]

Great job! Good to see you are learning and gaining confidence in your abilities. Coming from years of robot programming where the programs and operations are similar to cnc, once the program is proved after programming, no need to slow it down unless you made a major change. It will always go where programmed to go +/- the machine tolerance for repeatability. It's scary at first but trust the machine. Get used to using the right hand rule of orientation and stick it on the machine controller for a reminder. For better accuracy and easier fine tuning, make each end it's own work object. Then making a tune adjustment (on the left keyway say) has no effect on the other position(s) as you are doing a local adjustment not a global adjustment. For production, try to keep the up down spindle movements to a minimum for speed as well as at end. Try a move up enough to clear part then move to stop position. I noticed that there was up/down between rough and finish passes at each end which is probably not really needed. Turn off the coolant if you can when on long traverse of the part. Less to clean/dry off. If the production parts (shaft) length varies by a tolerance of x, make sure the cutter starts past that point and you won't have an issue if the part varies a bit or try plunge and go to the part end if the position where the slot ends is critical. Anyway, keep up the good work! Enjoying seeing you learn cnc.

[@markhgillett]

So happy to see your success. I remember how frustrating it was when I began programming imbedded micro controllers. The most important advice to you is patience and break away when you get frustrated, come back later with fresh eyes and clear mind

[@alanbrown4446]

Amazing how that machine can maintain such close tolerances over an enormous length like that. Foundations must be something special and must have taken ages and great care to line the machine up. Look forward to seeing the next job. Many thanks for sharing your learning experience with us.

[@bmxdude1995]

Thanks Adam for always sharing you journey

[@billdoodson4232]

Really good to see a proper if simple job on that machine. Hopefully we will be seeing a lot more over the coming months.

[@ryanclarke2161]

Good on you for jumping into the CNC world Adam, it's the only way forward.

[@wazza8610]

I watch your videos for some time now. This time you had that genuine feeling of accomplishment I could tell. Because let's face it you've been there and done that with the manual side and this is something new. It's great to see. I'm 34 so I naturally started with cnc machines and very little manual machining. It's all good though!

[@xxz4655]

I'm glad to see the chips flying on this job and also see the progress u have made on cnc tech keep it up abomb

[@Discretesignals]

Just amazing how quick the machine performs its instructions after all the time it takes to write those instructions. Thank you for taking us on your journey.

[@keithhasafastcar]

Once he gets good at it, this program would take 5 minutes to write

[@MattOGormanSmith]

It's a bottom-clenching moment when you do the first run, even after you've inspected the simulation carefully and done a trial run "cutting air".

[@kensherwin4544]

How long does it take to print a 40-page document compared to how long it takes to write, edit, spell-check, grammar-check, boss-check, and re-edit it? I can easily spend 3 or 4 weeks doing that stuff to get it right. If I want to print it again, it only takes seconds. I started using slide rules, drafting boards, pencil & paper, and secretaries with typewriters and don't regret the switch at all. CNC moves work time to prep time the same way.

[@toast47624]

I just packed up my manual mill for sale. I brought my CNC for my home shop about 20 months ago and I have hardly used my mill since. I have got to the point that I can design, program and cut faster on my CNC than I could do the job on my mill. I have limited space so out it goes. CNC lath is next on my list. I have never worked in a machine shop in my life I'm fully self taught and by far learning to own, operate and program a CNC has been the most challenging thing I have done in my life. One thing I have learnt the hard way is a Carbide cutter hauling plenty of RPM shows absolutely no mercy. I am fortunate that I have not done any serious damage. You go ahead and take your time. Your discipline will save you thousands.

[@mdvener]

A learning process, with patience. Looking very good. Your a smart man. You will learn your new machines. Trial n error. We learn more from our mistakes. You'll get down like the back of your hand. Looks good 👍. Everything you do is always precise. Thank you for everything you share.

[@macjeeo]

Hi Adam, for years and years I am watching your videos. I love the way you are explaining every step of machining details. Your insane knowledge about machining is jaw dropping. In my opinion you are a very tough learner and eager to learn more about the new standerds of CNC machining. Love to see your meticulous learning curve, being cautious, step by step. Making first dummy cuts with your new machine is very wise. As a former nurse, I always worked with people, which is a challenge as well. Your channel made me getting interested 0:06 0:06 in the machining industry. I am following lots of machinists on KZbin hahaha. So keep on doing the good works, greetings from the Netherlands!

[@kevinreardon2558]

It's good to see the whole machine shop startup process. Also watching an expert machinist learn CNC is a gold mine in my book. I've been training myself for the last several years. I've had it build my machines as I don't have that much cash (just a hobbyist). But I have learned that there are only two types of CNC Machinists. Those that have crashed there machine and those who lie about never having crashed their machine .

[@bcbloc02]

That huge table is awesome!

[@bernardwill7196]

You can be proud of that customer work. You do allright . Greetings from germany.

[@mtnbiker4480]

Loving the work envelope on the Flex. That thing will do some serious work!

[@nullcycle]

Keep up the hard work and learning experience, Abom! You are an inspiration to all of us! :)

[@aoiattentiononinvention8031]

I'm learning from you as I go through your videos. Thank you. Keep doing what you are doing

[@michaelsanzo5867]

Very cool, and awesome video as usual. Great to see you using the full capacity of the Flex CNC.😊

[@randymusselman4504]

Adam, 0.0005” tolerance in two planes over 12 ft in length, impressive!! If you think about it, the FlexCNC model you has the benefit of an old school planer (thinking Steve Watkins’ Rockford) but the speed and efficiency benefit of CNC. Plus you can keep the work stationary relative to the cutter, larger workpiece, smaller floor space in the shop. Great video, great work! Thank you! Randy

[@Zayda0221]

Much love all the way from South Africa🇿🇦

[@TedRoza]

G'day Adam. Your very lucky to have had a long test solid steel shaft to check & adjust the settings for the final job finish. Well done will look forward to see your future jobs

[@noahmiller1655]

Man I've not watched u about year or so missed alot u done went got CNC machine I remember when u was pouring concrete pad for this build like watching you do your thing do good at explaining it to us glad to see u doing well

[@nighteyergbg]

the FlexCNC is great. 🤩 i hope to see some other big parts on the machine soon.

[@htral]

Been waiting to see you start doing stuff in the wonder shop

[@RobertKohut]

Cool. Pretty exciting for just a couple of keyways...🙂

[@anthonyrivers8395]

Ur shop looks remarkable. Can’t wait 4 more work to walk in the door.

[@larry3064]

Very nice. Heck of a lot easier than doing it on a manual mill. Thanks for sharing.

[@kennymiller4428]

My company purchased the 40-06 G series. When I did my training on this brand machine you were actually at the facility the day we finished. You are definitely headed in the right direction. Having been in this trade nearly 40 years, I have learned you never stop learning. The issue with your depth being to deep may be that the probe you are using possibly isn't correct Z height in your tool table. I am using the digital model of the same unit and I had to play around with that to get it to be reliable. Happy Machining Abom79

[@patrickmazzone9066]

Excellent job keep up the good work awesome

[@seancollins9745]

just one of the amazing things you can do with a giant CNC machine !! congrats, I am wrapping up the rebuild of my 1979 Cincinnati Milacron Cinturn, just some final debugging and adjustments. !!! keep sending the knowledge man. !! I tried a few coolants, try Oemeta 875, stuff is awesome !

[@blueovaltrucker]

Just a thought....for your future projects on the flex or your miltronic, make a big set of heavy duty V-blocks for your shop.

[@buddbuilt]

Great work Adam COOL Machine! Nice to see you like the TrimSol as well we just switched to the 692 from them and it has been great!!!

[@JaapGrootveld]

Your learning Adam, your learning 💪👍

[@jjbode1]

No skill beats manual machining but this is still very interesting. Thanks for your willingness to learn and share.

[@legend7ify]

.............G'day Adam, I very much enjoyed your learning experience. Thank you for sharing the process to achieve that great result. Yours fraternally, Malcolm.

[@GK-ye3fr]

Great video!

[@floodo1]

nice to see the flexcnc doin WORK

[@billabernathy1541]

Awesome, Adam.

[@AllenCavedo]

Nice job!

[@1903A3shooter]

GREAT, I was a bit nervous on that one, first job and all. Slick macnine.

[@anthonymarino4260]

thanks for the demo. learned. a. lot

[@geckoproductions4128]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing

[@jimdean7335]

I think a lot of the larger shops have seperate roles for set up, programming and operating of these machines. You are climbing the learning curve on all three at the same time. Not an easy task. Plus you are creating content at the same time. Wow.

[@farmer87yj]

hey adam its been a few months since ive watched your channel ..i must say congrats man the new shop is looking fantastic ..lots of new stuff ..keep up the good work man ..i will be snding some stuff to you soon to get some work done on

[@aerialcombat]

perfect use for this, excellent

[@teedawg2112]

Keep the chips flying! Thx for the vid

[@marlonllewelyn9565]

Great mindset continue to learn 🙂🙏

[@fricky11111]

Man I am suitably impressed with the shop development...good video.

[@desolatemetro]

Nice job man!

[@russtuff]

That's a hell of a machine.

[@twin2482]

Intimidating

[@aj7utu]

Great intro.

[@texascharlie4554]

TRULY AMAZING, When I grow up, I want to be a machinist just like you, but I think you have a few years on me. I am only 78 !

[@dronescape6515]

Cool idea for the new shop and project on the flex. You could get a big slab of 3/4 or 1in thick plate and mill your logo or the shop logo and name and use it for a sign or wall art

[@vanceking4866]

I have absolutely no machinist background at all but I've been subscribed to your channel for years. You and Abby seems like great people!

[@andyfreeman660]

Great video. Just a word of caution. I use the same PPS sensors (the yellow box on the bottom of the carriage ) on automated fork lifts. If the brack screen cover gets dusty, don't wipe it clean with anything but the manufacturers wipes. You can easily scratch the screen and replacements are not cheap. A scratched screen plays havoc with the mapping.

[@boriskolnestrov9957]

Nice milling machine 👍

[@peterouellette3874]

Once it's set it doesn't take long for the final cut, I'll bet the tension is high at that moment, nice going

[@scrotiemcboogerballs1981]

Thanks for sharing

[@yambo59]

Kudo's to Adam for leaving his comfort zone & learning a whole new realm of machine work

[@twin2482]

This is like learning a new language.

[@yambo59]

I agree greek to me, long time viewer of Adam but have to admit I like watching manual work better but CNC is where Adam feels he needs to be in his new shop and its the present and future for many shops now--- but ive found after watching a number of automated CNC shops it gets kinda boring as most of the skill is taken from the hands and experience of the machinist and placed on software and keypad etc.

[@douglassmith2055]

Thanks Adam, trying to get my head around cnc myself, very different to manual maching.

[@flyingjeep911]

yes.. great project

[@joewhitney4097]

Good to see chips Adam. Now you need customers to give you multiples of the same parts.😀

[@AaronEngineering]

Great seeing that big Flex CNC up and running. I can hear it in your voice how happy you are with it. Cheers 🍻, Aaron

[@MikeBaxterABC]

This may be obvious but I just have to say it :) .. it takes real dedication to the trade, and dedication to learning new machinery. To take what maybe 5 time longer to mill then keyways on the CNC .. than a manual machine would take. I think it's awesome .. ands wish I was there learning :) ..I've mentioned a couple times I used to program and run CNC lathes back ion the 1980's ... In a production shop not a specialty shop like Adam's) And I feel it would be so interesting to see how that old knowledge would equate to the late4st CNC machinery. The stuff I ran was so old ..the programs came on ticker tape .. literally punched holes in 30 to 60- foot long paper tapes :)_

[@keithlambell1970]

Great to see the reason for having such a large bed on the CNC. Great to learn new things.

[@a.bakker64]

Doing good Adam.

[@willjosephson]

Excellent shots from inside the enclosure. Well filmed, well machined. Thanks Adam!

[@francisschweitzer8431]

Cool… nice to see a revenue job in the FLEX CNC… Huge benefits of having a long bed. A MANUAL MILL on that part… can you imagine the set up.. the supports and THEN YOU HAVE TO 180° and redo everything TRUST YOUR SETUP!! start turning chips into dollars.

[@raymanzi1829]

Honestly.....I think he'd be much faster doing manual for a one off. The payoff comes when you have to do some quantity of the same part. The setup on the CNC takes longer, but once you have it dialed in, repeating the op pays off for the setup time. JMO

[@garywoodard5759]

back in the day as a young man working in sawmills, long shafts were routinely keyed the entire length to accommodate sprocket placement at random spacing, such as the 'green chain'. we used a portable electric powered key-cutter that clamped to the shaft and performed the cut about a foot at a time, move the setup, repeat. CNC? whats that??? welcome to the 21st century - get used to it, right?

[@paulsullivan6392]

What a pleasure it is to join your journey into 21st century CNC machining. Do not sell yourself short. You are catching on and doing well. Keep truckin'. I am sure your Grandfather and Dad are watching your progress and are very proud of you.

[@user-ge6hf2xs4r]

Old school/new school, it's all good! Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

[@davefuelling7955]

Glad to see you are expanding your knowledge base. You do know that you don't have to actually use a full length piece of stock if you are only cutting the ends? Put a short piece the right diameter in each end vise and measure the distance to the far end of each piece to set the exact length as the work piece and set stops at both ends. Then all you have to do is rotate each piece to do practice cuts and make adjustments. Then if you need to keep practicing you just have to flip each piece over. As far as the first cut being the wrong depth, there is probably an error in the Z axis offset in either the tool holder with the bit installed or the measuring device.

[@carlbukowsky1931]

Thanks for bringing us along on the job. Always interesting ! More!!

[@aztecsec]

Reminds me of the time 45 years ago I, a total rookie at the time, was showing my dad how I created a document on a computer. His comment was "I thought the whole point was to make the job go faster."

[@lesgaal4017]

Well done Adam it not easy when all of your working life you've done everything by hand and measure with a micrometer and block gauges. But remember the young Machinests have trouble trying to learn the old way of machineing. Step by step mate your doing fine. Australia

[@powerq21]

Adam, thanks for this. Please don't feel bad about showing or explaining things that you think are simple or elementary, because many of us, including me, are CNC novices and are on this new CNC journey with you, for the first time, so it's great to see every step explained and shown. I must say that up to this point, it's been an amazing and real eye-opening change as to what is out there and what is possible. Before I got a taste of CNC through your entry into the area, I thought that DRO was state of the art...😀 Many thanks again, and please keep on doing this exactly as you have been! 🙏🙏

[@RyanDoesAll]

Although I am on the other side of the coin, I’m glad that this is helping upcoming CNC programmers on their journey. Nice comment.

[@willgallatin2802]

Remembering the file name next time you have one of these will be the true challenge. :P Fine first effort on a customer part on the Flex.

[@eumoria]

It's great you challenge yourself and learn new skills. You're so talented as a manual machinist... to tackle CNC and not hate on it is admirable. It's so easy to disregard new tech to accept and learn shows that you understand it's always the machinist and not the machine. You're awesome.

[@charlescartwright6367]

Aloha Adam, When you first started with the CNC bit I thought there goes a good channel down the drain.... I have found myself learning with you and enjoying it very much.. I'm too old and have no shop space left to put a CNC--Anything on the floor. Mahalo for sharing and this old goat looks forward th the next video. Where's abby, I haven't seen her or any travel video's lately??

[@just.some.dud3]

Super awesome watching you progress on this journey, Adam. Love to see it!

[@johannglaser]

Adam, please also show the programming or any other things, which you do on the controller. Showing only the machining is a bit boring, because, in contrast to manual machining, all the "intelligence" of a machinist solely happens at the controller.

[@kindablue1959]

He's probably waiting until he knows enough to show the correct steps to do a job in a polished, educational presentation. He doesn't want to show himself reading manuals and making phone calls.

[@johannglaser]

@@kindablue1959 But that is the chicken-egg problem: Adam's learning curve is stalling, as he is only reading manuals and making phone calls (and immediately forgetting these details, because there are too many). To break out this loop, I think it would help Adam to prepare short "learning nuggets" videos, for specific topics, in a way that he can present them freely. This way he has to memorize these topics, consider the "why" and also building an overview of the relations to other topics. One detail at a time. Slowly but steadily, he climbs the learning curve.

[@kindablue1959]

@@johannglaser Normally a 'lesson plan' is developed by an experienced educator, not the student. If it was a fully formed plan, he would have an outline of steps of what to learn in a strategic order, not just responding to whatever random jobs that show up. Adam is intent on learning in a way that leverages his manual machining experience, and I don't think he has CNC teachers that know enough about that to develop an appropriate style plan for him,. So Adam's kinda just winging it himself, and it leaves us, as potential 'students' of his, just flailing around in the vastness, just like him.

[@johannglaser]

@@kindablue1959 Sure, a lesson plan and a personal instructor would be the best for Adam. But in my opinion, (trying to) teach a subject is still a much better way to learn for oneself, than reading through manuals, or even just calling tech support and watching his remote access.

[@mrstan3997]

terrific video Adam, have a nice weekend and thanks for sharing your journey with us

[@roberthousedorfii1743]

Adam, go for it. We're here with you!