When I first became an apprentice, I knew next to nothing. Now, I can tell you all different kinds of things. Like how tool presetters are devices on lathes that are used to quickly and efficiently determine tool geometry offsets on the X and Z axis. You see, the tool tip makes contact on the surface of the a probe that constant records the turret position in the offset screen.

I could also tell you how a toolholder is used for the sake of rigidly holding a cutting insert in place during machining. In our industry, we use toolholders not for tool storage, but instead to secure a tool in a CNC machining device to maintain accurate standards of tooling.

I became an apprentice not to learn about tool holders and tool presetters, but to because the industry is growing. The number of people working in the machining industry in 2010 was an astounding 939,700.

The thing about the machining industry is that it requires a lot of technical knowledge (like things about tool presetters and what not). Unlike hand tools that a craftsman might use, machining tools are composed of sever different parts, and assembling them accurately is an absolute necessity to achieve error free production.

It pays to learn things like how the standard ER collet is the most widely used clamping system in the machining industry, but it pays more to know what that is, what it does, and why it is so popular. I am proud of what I do, and how hard I work.

If you would like to learn more about things like tool presetters, I suggest you become an apprentice like myself. You can also attend trade school, but being an apprentice gives you hands on experience. After all, what good is knowing what a tool presetter is without ever having used one? If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments! Find more.