The RCC Hobby Machinists Challenge

[Del Monte]

Sweet Calipers.. I'll have to find some time to make something

[mtdriver]

Does holding the title of machinist at your employer count you as a pro? I program and run CNCs all day and use the Bridgeport a few times a week. I did go to school for machining but ive only been employed as such for 9 months or so. I dont have any equipment at home, but can use what I need at work on my own time.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by mtdriver

Does holding the title of machinist at your employer count you as a pro? I program and run CNCs all day and use the Bridgeport a few times a week. I did go to school for machining but ive only been employed as such for 9 months or so. I dont have any equipment at home, but can use what I need at work on my own time.

Does that mean you've only been doing machine work for 9 months, or does it mean you've only got 9 months as an "official" machinist?

[mtdriver]

Only been doing machine work for 9 months. Had schooling, but that was a drawn out time waster and back in '08-'09. Lets say I have no more than a years experience. Most of my daily routine is CNC programming and operating. I do some Bridgeport here and there, but nothing awesome. I just modify parts for prototype work.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by mtdriver

Only been doing machine work for 9 months. Had schooling, but that was a drawn out time waster and back in '08-'09. Lets say I have no more than a years experience. Most of my daily routine is CNC programming and operating. I do some Bridgeport here and there, but nothing awesome. I just modify parts for prototype work.

Works for me, you're in.

[CrAwLeR13]

I'll try

[TnT817]

I'd be in to give it a shot. I went to a tech school in high school for machining and I've worked in shop for almost a year do I count? I have really only done some programming but mostly just running parts.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by TnT817

I'd be in to give it a shot. I went to a tech school in high school for machining and I've worked in shop for almost a year do I count? I have really only done some programming but mostly just running parts.

That's cool with me.

Entry deadline is tomorrow night. I'll post up a list of the participants, and the remaining rules. Best get your thinking caps warmed up.

[TnT817]

Can the piece be more than 1 solid piece of stock?

[rob_b]

In! Unless I drop out

[Trubble]

Sweet prize, but I'm out.
Only machine I have access to here is a dog with something against Nyla-bones.
Best of luck to the competitors.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Alrighty roo....here is the list of those officially entered in the Hobby Machinists Challenge #2!

1. WooPigSooie
2. trail boss
3. crawlerhawk
4. 1tonscout
5. iceman320
6. jeeper 05
7. krawlfreak
8. Goatsniper
9. bigstu
10. sickcivic95
11. Del Monte
12. mtdriver
13. Crawler13
14. TNT817
15. rob b
16. mjderstine

If I missed anybody, let me know!

[Duuuuuuuude]

Once again, the rules. Pay special attention to the additional rules at the end.

1. Hobby machinists only! No pro's, no retired guys with 30 years under their belts. This challenge is for the hacks, noobs, and weekend swarf rats.

2. The item MUST be made on a mill or lathe, manual or cnc. Depending on the complexity of the part, special consideration may be made one way or the other.

3. Your item MUST be functional and in its final form. No half-assery allowed.

4. You MUST pre-register.

5. NO exotic materials. I don't care if you've got a bin full of ultra rare polished G73 tridiptachlotanium, you can't use it. Only aluminum, steel, or acetal is allowed.

6. You CANNOT recreate an existing item. Everything must be an original design.

7. You CANNOT create a cad file and send it off to a machinist to be cut. This is DIY only.

8. You MUST submit clear photographs when they are called for.

**********************

9. Your item MUST be crawler specific. It can be scale, it can be comp, doesn't matter.

10. It MUST be useable, meaning it needs to be bolted on or assembled to a crawler and functional.

11. Your item does not have to be a single piece, nor does it have to be all from the same material.


**********************

Remember, all entries must be original items! You will have one month to complete the challenge. On April 1st each participant will need to pm me two pictures. One picture will be of the part, the second picture will be of the part installed.

You will be judged on finish quality, design, functionality, creativity, process (manual or cnc) and whatever else I feel is necessary. I cannot stress how important it will be to provide clean, clear, uncluttered photos in sizes that are suitable for posting in this forum (640x480 preferably). Depending on the part, you may be asked for a short video of it in operation.

DO NOT post progress pics!

On or shortly after April 2nd I will start a new thread where the entries will once again be posted anonymously. There will be no public poll.

In the days following, the winner will be chosen by a secret panel, and I can assure you there will be at least one professional machinist eyeballing your work.

Any questions?

[iceman320]

So we can make whatever we choose to make?

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by iceman320

So we can make whatever we choose to make?

Yup, as long as it is for a crawler of some sort.

[ROCKEDUP RICKY]

If I wasn't a poor kid, I'd kick your asses.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by ROCKEDUP RICKY

If I wasn't a poor kid, I'd kick your asses.

Don't you mean "If I weren't a grown assed man spending all my money on toy trucks, I'd kick your asses".

[Mayhem Eng.]

This should be good. good luck to all.

[jason]

Nice, this one has the ability to be turned into something we can all use.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by jason

Nice, this one has the ability to be turned into something we can all use.

Paper weights aren't useful?