Red Seal Machinist study plan

Set up a lathe with independent four-jaw chuck and indicate a workpiece to within 0.02 mm TIR, documenting each step in a personal setup checklist

Calculate and set correct spindle speeds and feed rates for turning mild steel, aluminum, and cast iron using surface-speed and feed-per-revolution formulas

Demonstrate and record the lockout procedure and hazard assessment for a lathe before any setup work

Identify and state the function of the major lathe components (headstock, carriage, compound rest, tailstock, lead screw, feed rod) in a labeled hand sketch

Turn a multi-diameter shaft between centers to +/-0.05 mm on diameters and 0.05 mm on length, recording every measurement taken

Compute taper dimensions, including tailstock offset and compound-rest swivel angle, for a given included angle and length

Face and center-drill a workpiece square and concentric within 0.05 mm, verifying with a dial indicator

Calculate thread depth and minor diameter for a specified metric and unified thread, then cut an external thread and check it with a thread micrometer or wires

Align a milling vise to within 0.02 mm over its length using a dial indicator and describe the tramming procedure for the head

Select and set spindle speed and table feed for face milling and end milling on steel and aluminum from a speed and feed chart

Perform edge finding and set a work offset on a vertical mill, verifying the zero position with a test cut

List the personal protective equipment and chip and cutter hazards specific to milling, and demonstrate safe guarding before starting a cut

Machine a stepped and slotted part using a sine bar or angle blocks to set an angled feature, verifying the angle to within 5 minutes of arc

Use an outside micrometer, vernier caliper, and depth micrometer to measure the same part and reconcile any differences between readings

Calculate and apply cutter compensation and backlash allowance when climb milling versus conventional milling

Interpret a surface-finish requirement and adjust feed and speed to achieve it, checking the result against a comparator

Calibrate and zero a micrometer and a dial indicator against a gauge block, documenting any error found

Drill, ream, and tap a hole pattern to a specified positional tolerance, verifying hole location with a pin and indicator

Sharpen a twist drill by hand to correct point angle and relief, then compare the drilled hole quality before and after

Select the correct drill size for a specified tap and calculate the required tap drill diameter for both metric and inch threads

Demonstrate safe bandsaw and power hacksaw setup, including blade selection, speed, and feed for a given material

Dress a grinding wheel and mount it safely, then verify balance and ring test before use

Surface grind a flat part to 0.01 mm parallelism and measure flatness with a surface plate and indicator

Calculate grinding wheel surface speed and work speed for a given wheel diameter and material

Read a drawing with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing callouts and identify the datum reference frame, feature control frames, and modifiers present

Convert a basic size-and-tolerance drawing into an equivalent GD&T callout and justify the choice of datum

Write and edit a simple G-code program that includes tool changes, work offsets, cutter compensation, and a canned drilling cycle

Calculate coordinates for a bolt-hole circle and a chamfer by hand, then verify them against the programmed toolpath

Set tool length offsets and work offsets on a CNC mill and prove the setup with a dry run and single-block execution

Explain the difference between absolute and incremental positioning and convert a short program from one to the other

Complete a timed 100-question practice exam covering all nine domains and score each domain separately

Review every missed question and write a one-line rule or formula that would have prevented the error

Re-measure and re-inspect the parts made in weeks 2, 4, and 6 and confirm they still meet the recorded tolerances

Recite from memory the key formulas for speeds, feeds, taper offset, thread depth, and bolt-hole coordinates

Build a one-page formula and reference card covering all domains for final review