The Secret To Becoming An Incredible CNC Machinist

[@mariusj8542]

Been programming robotics for 3 decades and just passed 50, and I’m still reading, researching , testing like crazy and I really understand how little I know, my best teacher is trying new things and failing.

[@stevehayward1854]

When I started programming in the 70's, one of the manuals that came with the Japanese machine claimed that CNC Machinists were the Samurai of the shop floor

[@whatcher8151]

Kiai - Hi-Yah!

[@HITTAGAME]

To this day thats still valid well atleast the better ones

[@John_Morrison]

Been involved in all aspects of CNC machining for over 40 years. Employee, shop owner, consultant, applications specialist, and I've seen and done a lot and did it quite well, but it would not be a career I would recommend. As an employee, even if you are stellar, It is a rare shop that will appreciate and compensate you accordingly. As an owner, you are always one wiped out tool or crashed spindle away from losing all your profit in the job, plus you have all the costs up front, and then a waiting game for your money. If everything goes right it can be rewarding, but there are a million ways for things to go sideways.

[@mandizzle0517]

I’ve been an operator/setup operator for close to 10 years and finally got hired in as a CNC programmer. I was given the opportunity to become a full time programmer, and it wasn’t my schooling or my experience that got me the job. I believe I got the job because I don’t know how to program but want to learn how to program. Thank you

[@HITTAGAME]

Congrats! I just got a hired as serious setup man earlier this year at a job shop any tips you can share to help the next gem

[@johnl5177]

The secret to becoming rich in the CNC business is ownership of the business. 99% of customers never know the machinist that make their parts but they can name the business off the top of their head. In reality more machinist have made great machine shops than machine shops have made great machinist in the past 30 years. Almost every shop in the past 30 years wants to hire talent not make it. At a certain point the shop you work for isn't making you better you are making it better with your talent and with enough time you are the shop. You become it's bloodline and your time, energy and soul is poured into a business that doesn't have your name on it. If your life permits it and your willing to struggle to get started the biggest reward (monetary wise) is in ownership not in the cutting of the parts. At retirement it's better to sell your customer list than it is your 30 year old tool box

[@gregschultz2029]

Absolutely Correct,I’ve been making chips almost 50 years ,The Will to learn is THE most Important Part ,Good Job On Your Video Guys !!!

[@whatcher8151]

A humble spirit, one not proud. So rapidly changing, you cannot learn it all, we need each other. It is a team. Yes passion, when you like it, when your driven that equals your inner pride & passion. Makes you want to go to work, your hungry for making the impossible.

[@davidgibson2606]

I've been in the trade for over 50 years. My philosophy has always been "A day without learning in a day wasted." What is most amazing, the more you learn, the more you find that you want to know. Learning is a life-long commitment.

[@johncharmelllo7353]

I think you guys are great! I am learning so much from you. I have been a toolmaker for almost 30 years now. Just started using CNC this past year at my new job. I love learning new things. You are right you got to love it, and always stay humble.

[@nofunallowed3382]

Passion for the job and the products you make does matter, but if the work you put in isn't appreciated by your colleagues or customers your work will suck. I loved my job, but when the working environment became toxic, appreciation from management declined, the workload doubled and the pay stagnated i started to hate my job.

[@BrandonHaynesGolf]

After hearing this I feel I’m in that category. I absolutely obsess over what I do and constantly trying to improve my ways.

[@neovenom7187]

Same here, I think that's one of the most fun things you can do in CNC.

[@bryantburns3664]

Your not lol

[@judelarkin2883]

I appreciate what you guys do. There is too much of quality taking a backseat to people wanting things fast and cheap in our society today. I’ve spent my career as an electrician and am a quality oriented person. Peoples’ constant demand to just throw things together and make it work will grind a person down over time.

[@Fulgream]

I am setting up Nexturns in St. Petersburg, making dental implant systems on Swiss machines. It's very far from you guys, but I regularly admire your machines and find out how advanced processing technologies are Thanks for the wonderful channel. With love from Russia

[@FuriousGeorge_67]

Built my career by having this exact attitude, and found that there is just as much push back to keep things the way they are from management as other employees, so it ends up being a fight in both directions. Especially when it comes to things that scare the average point-to-point programmer, like nested family programs, subroutines, and macros. But, I have preferred to stick to really small/family run shops so that contributes to it, and they have their reasons for it as well. One of my biggest peeves in this industry is the phrase "well that's how we've always done it, so don't bother".

[@nickshe93]

I hate that saying. I work a a mom and pop shop of 100 people. And the fendementals of the management system is if it was good before its good now. Ain't broke don't fix it. Works the way it is just fine..

[@travis7348]

"Obsession for perfect". Love that... Also, I love the humble. The field needs more men like this.

[@travis7348]

Correction. "People" .

[@rynno34]

Love your guys content keep it up... As a 3rd generation shop owner in California Im hoping you guys get some new talent in the field for hiring. Our company has as much work as we want but has a hard time growing due to horrific employee candidates. Staying small and working my A team overtime is what has worked for now. Also we really need a shift in shop rates in aerospace and defense compared to what you need to invest to run a successful business. I should be charging 250-300 hour with what I have invested. I got buddies that are electricians ETC that are charging 200 hr w not much invested.

[@VictorHernandez-nt3tw]

Everytime I have a 1on1 with my manager I always mention that im sorry for my mistakes and he never brings it up. He always says that I'm doing excellent... that i have the best attitude im the company and he needs that. I try and motivate and keep everyone going and he needs that more than anything. If it wasn't for my attitude, I don't think I would be where I am for long. Im surrounded by people much smarter than me yet I got the biggest raise out of all of them. Im just saying this because I can 100% agree with attitude. Of course you need to have knowldge and good work ethics along with it, but attitude and passion has to be a priority.

[@russin3d]

Thanks!

[@DavidPerez-wx4qy]

I been an operator for about 8 years and I still learn new techniques everyday and I honestly love what I do.

[@VictorHernandez-nt3tw]

And you'll keep learning until you retire from machining

[@mikemcmullin149]

I've been at this since the '80's and I can tell you mental lockstep in an evolving trade is suicide. The difference in materials to machine has changed so much, not to mention the cutters.

[@skwerlz]

Every job is a new puzzle, and every puzzle has more than one solution. The more frustrating the puzzle, the better I feel after solving it. I've solved a lot of puzzles in a lot of ways and I'm always finding new twists on old puzzles requiring new solutions. If you think you have a better way to solve the puzzle I'll at least give it a listen. I might use it, I might use part of it, I might come back to it down the road a bit, or I might just disregard it, but I'll always at least give it a listen before deciding anything.

[@nathanthomas8184]

Numbers & Codes is the marriage of machining. Titans of Cnc keep on BOOMING on

[@ArmadaJspec]

Thank you for this. The basic concept of every process is key.

[@scottborst5430]

You are correct they do like a person that is open minded and likable pretty will only get you so far but if you’re willing to learn that will get you farther I’ve been machining since high school up until now 20+ years and almost every other day I still will learn new thingsI know I run manual machines to CNC machines it never gets old some stuff is hard but learn to push through is the best

[@thomastruscott99]

Titan please come to the MACH show in April taking place in Birmingham England. Would love to meet you and share my passion for this industry. I am 24 and I strongly agree attitude is everything in this trade. All the best and keep making great content.

[@elmonojuega9460]

You can just be really good and socially awkward or an A hole. These people in my experience are the most amazing people to work with. To help me see things that I couldn't have without them. Personally I value someone that I can learn from more than someone who is likable or has a good attitude.

[@dumpsterdave3710]

I am the same regarding preferring someone useful over likable, but you cannot deny that MOST people run on likability being a huge driving factor for everything, friendships, relationships, interviews, coworkers, bosses, etc. Figuring out how to be genuinely likable will open way more doors than just being technically proficient about something, but for some folks they're happy doing what they're good at and don't care.

[@benochoa2598]

I’ve always been open to learning everything from anyone , there’s so many ways to skin a cat , Cnc knowledge never ends

[@MarcinKryszak]

Spot on Travis. Hunger for success is the key.

[@angryheathen3463]

Just knowing how to hit cycle start makes you a machine operator not a machinist. Big difference. The stuff you guys have done to improve and help our industry is just amazing

[@meltgalaxy9043]

yeah when I found out the depth this job has. Some people literally press buttons. Programmers are a different breed

[@angryheathen3463]

@@meltgalaxy9043 yea in the AF we have to draw up our own solids in Solidworks then program in Mastercam then run our parts. Titans are like unicorns most civ sector you do one or the other not both

[@Ertrosveli]

Trust me, it's not as hard as anyone thinks. I did a/the CNC educational course within 10 months and I now can a lot from CAD/CAM (Fusion360 and many other CAD programs), manufacturing, calculating speeds and feeds, find out what tools to use etc to hand/manual programming and I finally am certified and have the diploma. Guess what, I did it in Sweden/swedish and swedish is my 4th language and I've been in Sweden for 12 years ;) All you need is a strong will

[@Ertrosveli]

Trust me, it's not as hard as anyone thinks. I did a/the CNC educational course within 10 months and I now can a lot from CAD/CAM (Fusion360 and many other CAD programs), manufacturing, calculating speeds and feeds, find out what tools to use etc to hand/manual programming and I finally am certified and have the diploma. Guess what, I did it in Sweden/swedish and swedish is my 4th language and I've been in Sweden for 12 years ;) All you need is a strong will

[@Ertrosveli]

Trust me, it's not as hard as anyone thinks. I did a/the CNC educational course within 10 months and I now can a lot from CAD/CAM (Fusion360 and many other CAD programs), manufacturing, calculating speeds and feeds, find out what tools to use etc to hand/manual programming and I finally am certified and have the diploma. Guess what, I did it in Sweden/swedish and swedish is my 4th language and I've been in Sweden for 12 years ;) All you need is a strong will

[@shaniegust1225]

Obsession for perfection! LOVE IT! 💪💥

[@Soultribe65]

Passion and dedication to innovation and creation! BOOM!

[@BonaRasmey]

❤you guys are awesome, I'm working on cnc machine right now and I'm hungry to learn how to operate and know how to set-up the system. 😊

[@Mirage5892]

I've been a class C lathe operator at my current job for about 2 years now. Sadly my employer has no interest in training everyone the root skills to be a machinist. Once you're good at a part, that's all they need. But that drives me nuts. I've been learning from one of the technicians as he's had time as he's one of the few people that actually ENJOYS machining like I do and him teaching me the method instead of the part has helped me diagnose and correct so many issues that I wouldn't have been able to handle otherwise.

[@bryantburns3664]

U think ur special doncha

[@cembellsteve]

All the years I have worked in a machine shop for 28 years. Every great person that I have worked with all have the same thing in common. OCD!!!!!! You have to be repetitive on every thing you do. Not just doing the right thing only when the boss is around. One other thing is CARING!!!!!! You have to care, eventually you will get taken care of. Every short cut is a road fast to failure.

[@christopherhorne8665]

The relationship is pay me for my skills while allowing me to grow. I'm not at work to be your fucking friend or butt buddy. I'm at work to feed my family and have a life.

[@uberuberdude101]

mastercam is doing good stuff.

[@michaelleszkowicz2472]

Can anyone tell me the best place to start learning everything about 3 axis milling machines. For a few years the machine shop I've been at has only had me working on centerless grinding but now I have an opportunity to work on the cnc and I'm super nervous about it but I wanna learn how to set up and program and everything. The computer is a fanuc if that helps. Please stay positive

[@Thegreendingler]

Titans of cnc has a free basic machining school if I'm not mistaken. If you have someone to teach you the basics that will help a lot. Dont be nervous but be careful. Dont want machine crashes

[@TITANSofCNC]

Academy.titansofcnc.com Start with the building blocks series and do the fundamentals also

[@hectordominguez7143]

Travis freaking me out man. How did he know I question my processes in the shower?!?! 😅

[@travisjarrett2355]

The great ones always do my friend!

[@Inventorsquare]

I’m pretty sure a good attitude and personality has given me more chances to learn from my mistakes and improve where others would have been shown the door. Great video, stay hungry for zeroes.

[@michel-alexandrebastille-s427]

Hi, i'm from Canada, i'm a CNC machinist and programmer (on the controller directly, G-codes (lathe) or mazatrol (3 axis Milling) and i'd like to learn the EIA programming to someday be able to program 5 axis CNC machines. Where should i start please?

[@Bond.JamesBond00]

So, the next question... How do CNC entrepreneurs help newcomers have a vision or a good attitude? Is it transferable, is it teachable? How does one navigate egos in a "titan world" while still retaining a good attitude?

[@freddiestarkweatherjr8147]

I been a CNC Machinist for over 40 years I would never recommend going into industry depending on what you're doing it can be a very stressful way to make a living the money can be very good but if you work more parts really expensive they can make it very stressful!

[@Martin-ef4xh]

I've been at this for almost 30 years (yeah...I'm friggin' old!), and to this day, I still ask How/Why...A LOT!. It doesn't matter if they have 5 years or 40 experiance. Whether it be programming or otherwise, I still ask. Moral ofthe story is, if you stop learning, you lose your worth or need to the shop you're working with. You more or less become obsolete.

[@racsohernandez-e2y]

Friends, how can I get one of your t-shirts?

[@dodongtoner]

Good day sir, i am a photocopier and printer technician. Is it ok to get a certificate as CNC machinist?

[@LivinLezley]

I've had a great attitude and want to learn but it seems every company I had run into had this expectation that I will learn like everyone else did; fast like the others. I take my time to make sure it is running perfect... however they seem to not care, they want it set up fast. How do I adapt to companies like this?

[@urban625]

I'd love one these shirts!

[@badger9641]

I was in an internship, I learned, ask questions stay quiet and observe too, just like “this knowledge is pure gold”. Then I tried, I failed, and asked myself why, so again, it worked, but still asking myself, is that enough ? One part was taking me 4h and burned all the inserts. So it’s true, the part was good, but the process was still not. Then it was 1h45, the inserts last for so many parts, and then my boss said to me : You are good, but you have to stop, because I’ll have to hire a new guy to sell these! It was obviously a joke, but it was the first time someone said I was good, even if I haven’t try to look good on purpose, because for me it was still crap and I had to find more tricks to improve the process. Machinist is all about passion for perfection, creativity and optimisation, and all together can lead to art

[@danhnguyen435]

Love you boom!

[@flikflak24]

Only time I say that that's not gonna work or that's impossible is when you tell me that we are gonna make a ø14mm hole with a ø16mm drill ( brand new and not gonna grind away of that drill ) aka. When I know that it physically can't fit/ the tool makeing hole/pocket features that's smaller then the tool itself

[@RaulGerardoHuertasPaiva]

It applies to every profession

[@starladawne4719]

Do you have any videos about women being successful in the industry? I have the passion, drive, and gaining the skills in a vo-tech program. But I feel like I have to prove myself more because the industry is so heavily male dominated. I'd love to see some interviews with women in the industry and what their experiences have been.

[@RD_Singh1990]

Hi there! I'm 34 years old and have a keen interest in becoming a CNC machine operator and programmer, but I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about AI advancements in the field. Do you think it's still a good time to start pursuing this career? I'm from India and aiming for a promising future, possibly in Canada or another country with demand for this skill set. Can you provide any insights or advice on whether this transition is feasible and how I can leverage my passion for CNC work? Currently, I'm working as a tile mason here in India. Please somebody guide me

[@dotcom8555]

AI is not possible to take over in CNC until you are just an cnc operator coz robot's can do that . Learn CNC programming. Then keep learning like cad cam and watch even a degree holder guy can't beat your skills and you afraid of AI .

[@roswaytv9172]

Greatest trade in the world.

[@thomasmedlin2881]

Barry, don't knock people who don't care about anything more than pushing cycle start. Takes all kinds of people to make the world go around.

[@OldCarsAreFun]

its simple: never dont give up

[@BonaRasmey]

I don't love the job but I want to learn so I earn money.😊

[@sasasasa711]

sir please do tutorial videos for cnc router guys. so that we can go up from that level.

[@thomasmedlin2881]

I am GREAT Machinist!

[@bryantburns3664]

Yall

[@johannesfossi5561]

Perfection is a fools errand.

[@aeromorte]

Passions srasion yeyeye the standard motivational crap. Of course you need to want that and do your best. But just that wont do shit. First is parts/process diversity. You can have all of the above but If you wont be working on different crap the amount of knowledge and experience you get will be limited. Second is problems. What you need is to have lots of machining problems. You learn the most by solving them and learning how to solve them. Running a perfect process can be done by any moron. Solving a problematic one and later improving it thats what great machinist do. Lastly for the "becoming" part is to start working with people better than yourself. And later on always keeping with it. You will always hit a wall during your work and having somebody to help is a big thing. Just dont be that guy that wont even think for 5 sec how to solve his problem alone before running and asking for help. Also having somebody with different experience is always good when exchanging ideas. Now this is my take i learned during my years of work. Sure there are other things here and there but its better to learn them yourself. Dont oversell yourself and dont undersell yourself. At the start you wont be making a lot. But it gets better with experience and skills you learn.

[@katiecolesberry]

You can teach an enthusiast person. You can’t teach a person enthusiasm.

[@bawtreerd]

Keep on trying new techniques always look for an improvement and dont cut back on quality

[@joshkandt2271]

The secret to becoming an excellent CNC machinist is to run, don't walk, away from this channel

[@dr.prof.mr.bigevil8532]

Boom❤

[@cembellsteve]

To add to my last comment, If you want to be great at machine work, FIGURE SOMETHING OUT ON YOUR OWN!!!!!! Look You Tube is nice, but if you don't come up with an answer by yourself you are not learning at max potential. Try to solve problem on your own. Don't keep thinking I can just go on the internet. Like the boys said, we didn't have all this technology at our finger tips. We were forced to solve problems on the fly.

[@urban625]

I disagree. Learning from other sources ND than go backwards to discover how THEY figured it out.

[@cembellsteve]

@@urban625 the answers may not always be out there. Especially when you don't have a internet connection. You must learn to think for yourself. Then you can teach, and show how you got an answer. I have been running a shop for the last 28 years. Every new guy brings me his phone with some you tube magic. I just wish they could bring me a part, and tell me how they did it.

[@philgross2385]

wait till your wife goes to bed, go to work. ......

[@thelostgeneration2000]

Just google average wages of cnc programmer in USA... I'm not even talking about machinist 😂 it's a shame, not a job

[@hamzanawaz7945]

😀

[@johnii2100]

Can a felon do this

[@D-TRIL]

🤓

[@kopfdertoten466]

Step 1: don't get laid off...

[@DT-wp2yc]

Bad attitudes come from the a hole bosses that own the shops. No body is getting in this trade because you have to be perfect, fast for not enough money. Just to hope democrats don't sell your job out to China. Find a trade they can not send overseas. I did this trade for a long time and was good, but you don't make money. I put the time in running heavy equipment, and make great money with good benefits!

[@bryantburns3664]

You sound like an entitled brattt