20 Machinist Moments That Speak for Themselves

Being a machinist means long, challenging days filled with demanding tasks. The complexity and high stakes of the job can create pressure so intense, that it sometimes feels overwhelming. However, there are aspects of the profession that make it all worthwhile. After all, if there were no rewards, no one would stick with it. These photos capture the rewarding moments of being a machinist. Here are 20 images that only a true machinist will truly appreciate.

1. The pranks in this shop must be ruthless.

A blue 3D-printed endmill is placed next to a metal endmill holder on a workbench. The caption reads, "Sometimes I 3D print endmills to annoy co-workers." The post has over 500,000 views from June 6, 2018.
u/evirustheslaye/via reddit

2. How to fix a dry sharpie, you just know that sharpie ended up flying across the shop.

A black marker is lodged between the jaws of a lathe chuck. The lathe appears to be situated in a workshop environment, with metal shavings scattered around. The equipment is metallic and has a worn, industrial appearance.
u/blob87/via reddit

3. Because everyone has an industrial CNC machine.

A person stands next to a large industrial CNC machine in a workshop. The text above humorously reads: "YouTubers, 11 minutes into a DIY tutorial: Next, just fire up your $381,000 industrial CNC machine.
u/rhino_7707/via reddit

4. If the shop is trashing equipment, that’s just free equipment. Any machinist would be thrilled.

A milling machine is positioned inside a garage, with sunlight streaming through a window. A car is parked outside the open garage door, and boxes are visible nearby. The setting is a residential area.
u/heretoforewiseacre/via reddit

5. Everyone needs one of these diagrams in their shop.

A wooden-framed display showcasing different types of bolts mounted on a board. Each bolt is labeled, highlighting its specific purpose, such as for broken nails, worn holes, countersink head, and more.
u/dontdoublebagit/via reddit

6. That isn’t how you measure the size buddy.

A person measures the inside diameter of a pipe using a caliper. The pipe is in an industrial setting, with tools and equipment visible in the background. A caption below humorously mentions verifying a complaint about the wrong hole size.
u/awkward_jello_5870/via reddit

Not everyone is going to have an easy time tackling a DIY project. In fact some people who attempt their own DIY projects end up completely submersed in utter failure.

7. You better return this one and get a new one.

A close-up image shows calipers measuring an object. The caliper display reads roughly 1.2 inches, while a steel ruler below shows about 1-1/8 inches. A review titled "Shoddy and inaccurate" critiques the calipers.
u/440jack/via reddit

8. Surprisingly, this is the most accurate ruler there is.

A transparent, banana-shaped measuring tool with "1 Standard Banana" labeled on it. The image humorously contrasts the metric system with a banana measurement.
u/nobossiguess/via reddit

9. You think your job is hard, try moving this 3 ton slab.

A large, metallic rectangular block with a smooth surface rests on a machine. The block has some markings and numbers on its side. The background features an industrial setting with worn walls and machinery.
u/optimus_shatner/via reddit

10. If you know, you know.

A person wearing black safety boots is using a pneumatic tool to clean or adjust something on a metal step. The tool is held in their hand, and the scene is set inside an industrial or mechanical environment, with blue equipment visible.
u/jorsieshore/via reddit

11. And thus, the slinky was born.

Two workers in a factory, each wearing long metal tubes over their shoulders, resembling armor. They stand in a workshop with tools and machinery in the background. The image is black and white, suggesting it's from an earlier time period.
u/karmante/via reddit

12. Old timers need a 55 inch TV to see the numbers.

A milling machine in a workshop with metal shavings scattered on the floor. A digital display above shows measurements. Surrounding the machine are workbenches with tools and materials, under a metal roof with beams.
u/scarejoy/via reddit

13. Custom made board games are top tier legendary.

A metal board game with colored pegs in rows. The board has circular slots and a central dome containing dice. The background is a purple surface.
u/armouredcheese/via reddit

14. Tell us your band-saw is old without saying it’s old.

Close-up of a vintage machine's control panel labeled "Blade and Speed Selector." It includes material types like aluminum and brass, and settings for blade speed and thickness. The panel is slightly worn, with metal and textured surfaces.
u/basiblaster/via reddit

15. This vernier was used during the building of the Apollo 11.

A large caliper labeled "NASA Property" resting in a foam-lined case, with a smaller caliper beside it. A person wearing jeans stands nearby, partially visible at the edge of the image.
u/adr1301/via reddit

16. How machinists are born.

A child playfully crawls through the large opening of an industrial lathe in a workshop setting. The child is emerging headfirst with a curious expression. The machinery and wooden walls provide a rustic backdrop.
u/redhotchilisteppers/via reddit

17. Finally, an affordable milling machine.

A miniature milling machine model made from LEGO bricks is displayed on a wooden table. Behind it is a can of soda, and a person is partially visible in the background.
u/mheaton92/via reddit

18. You’re going to make a $12,000 bird bath?

A large, gray surface plate is placed on a metal stand in a laboratory setting. It has a smooth texture, with a visible corner edge. A paper with text is visible below the image.
u/3dprintjr/via reddit

19. They heard a loud crash from the new guy’s mill and found this.

A close-up of a drill bit cutting into a metal block, creating spirals of metal shavings. The block has a metal plate with three bolts on top. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the drilling process.
u/airu07/via reddit

20. That bad boy is done for.

A man's face looks shocked and surprised, with wide eyes and an open mouth. The text above reads, "When you're tightening a bolt really tight, and then it suddenly gets really loose." The image captures a moment of unexpected surprise.
via reddit