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177 points pillars | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
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WillAdams ◴[] No.45117323[source]
For folks who are not familiar w/ machine shops, the lathe is a fundamental tool in a shop, and is the only tool in a shop which can replicate itself --- there is even a book series which uses this conceit, the "Gingery Books":

https://gingerybookstore.com/

where Vol. 1 has one setting up an aluminum casting foundry in one's backyard, and Vol. 2 has one using it to make a lathe which is then used to either improve itself or make a better lathe, then one uses it to make the balance of the tools in a machine shop.

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Nextgrid ◴[] No.45121280[source]
Not a machinist at all, but how can a lathe replicate parts which don’t have an axis of rotation?
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1. bluGill ◴[] No.45122335[source]
A lathe is the only machine you need. Those flat surfaces are easy to create with basic hand tools. (easy - but expect to spend a month if creating a flat surface is your full time job)