I'm going to school!

Maybe...

It all started when I bought a Key Mill and a surface grinder. The only thing I can do is turn them on. So then I wanted to learn how to run them. Then the stupid tech college won't let you take only one course. You have to enroll in a "program." They don't have a machining program, but they do have an industrial mechanic program. I went to the info meeting today and it looks like the program will be $5064 and take 3 semesters. I will save about $750 because I already have some of the classes from college. That takes it down to $4314. Doesn't seem too bad, I'm thinking about doing it!

I will learn:
Basic Electricity (including solar)
Industrial Maintenance Hydraulics
Advanced Mfg Drives and Linkages
Machine Rigging
Maint Welding (covers arc, MIG, TIG, oxy)
Blueprint Reading
Maint Machining
Motors and Controls
Refrigeration Fundamentals for Maintance

I work as a "professional" soil sampler and I think a lot of these skills would be handy with my real job as well. I am going to see if the boss will chip in a little help, too. I really only wanted welding and machining, but the rest can't hurt on the farm or in the field so I might just do the whole program.

What do you think???

I think if you have the inclination, the time and the money, you'd be nuts not to take the program. Or, you can learn like I did, screw it up and do it over again.

I think that first of all, decide where YOU want to live, geographically.

Some of the subjects probably will not be required to start out in the industrial arena.

Then specialize in one of the disciplines and then have a basic understanding of the rest.

Some will come with on the job training.

John,PA

I think the value of the class relies solely on your desire and
attitude toward learning.

Do you have the fire and desire?

No one but YOU can answer that question.

So if you don't mind, let me ask: What do YOU think?

Good luck with whatever you decide and remember, no one
can take away your knowledge.

If all you wanted to is weld and machine find a machine
shop and talk to the owner, most of the shops i deal could
use some part time help. Might be able to work out a trade
labor for training. No pay involved no expense.

(quoted from post at 14:51:10 07/18/12)...Good luck with whatever you decide and remember, no one
can take away your knowledge.

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(quoted from post at 13:13:07 07/18/12) I think if you have the inclination, the time and the money, you'd be nuts not to take the program. Or, you can learn like I did, screw it up and do it over again.

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That is kind of the way I looked at it. I am going to see if work will kick in some cash and if they will it is a done deal. If no I might just take the couple classes I really want to learn about. If I like them I might just finish their program.

(quoted from post at 16:16:46 07/18/12) If all you wanted to is weld and machine find a machine
shop and talk to the owner, most of the shops i deal could
use some part time help. Might be able to work out a trade
labor for training. No pay involved no expense.

Click to expand...

That's a good call. It seems like a lot of times machine shop guys are crabby and don't seem like the teacher type. I am sure I could find one. I kind of hinted around at the local tractor fixer/machine shop/coffee clutch but he didn't bite. I started asking, "So how did you learn? That must be tough? I bet you mess up a few parts along the way. I bet it is a learn by doing thing." He just said he learned from a dead old timer. I was hoping he would say come hang around when you can, but no luck. The problem with part time is I have a real job that I need to take care of.

(quoted from post at 14:50:01 07/18/12) I think that first of all, decide where YOU want to live, geographically.

Some of the subjects probably will not be required to start out in the industrial arena.

Then specialize in one of the disciplines and then have a basic understanding of the rest.

Some will come with on the job training.

John,PA

Click to expand...

I mostly want the knowledge for use on the farm, on the job, and in my tractor repair. I have a friend who has a job at a local mfg plant. He makes very good money and got a job right away. We have a fair amount of mfg around here and it would be a good thing to fall back on.

try mrpete222 on youtube, retired industrial arts teacher good videos

(quoted from post at 16:16:46 07/18/12) If all you wanted to is weld and machine find a machine
shop and talk to the owner, most of the shops i deal could
use some part time help. Might be able to work out a trade
labor for training. No pay involved no expense.

Click to expand...

It seems to me that most machinist are rather tight lipped on how to do machine work.

I've been in the trade for over 30 years I hear the same complaint from every shop owner i know, "I can't find good help just need someone to come and run one of these mills just to square up these blocks."

(quoted from post at 06:18:12 07/19/12) I've been in the trade for over 30 years I hear the same complaint from every shop owner i know, "I can't find good help just need someone to come and run one of these mills just to square up these blocks."

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Where are you located?

Check on night school classes on Just basic lathe, or basic milling machine.

(quoted from post at 09:00:42 07/19/12) Check on night school classes on Just basic lathe, or basic milling machine.

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That's what I went looking for but was a little disappointed. It sounds like the "Maintenance Machining" will be about the same. I would guess you would learn more if you had an entire semester on the mill and an entire semester on the lathe.

I'm in northeast Ohio. The trade association I am a member of use to have a school to teach machinist, but they closed it because they could not get enough student, most people don't want to get dirty or stand in front of a machine all day. If you can run a manual machine you can pretty much name your wage. The biggest thing that you are up against is practice and that goes for welding and machining. If you are serious about learning you just need to start, yes you'll throw away some material but you would if you did work for some else. The nice thing about metal work is you can turn it into something else. You might look up Lanse on this sight, follow his post. He just finish high school but is on his way to a good career in welding and a business of his own.

(quoted from post at 11:39:06 07/19/12) I'm in northeast Ohio. The trade association I am a member of use to have a school to teach machinist, but they closed it because they could not get enough student, most people don't want to get dirty or stand in front of a machine all day. If you can run a manual machine you can pretty much name your wage. The biggest thing that you are up against is practice and that goes for welding and machining. If you are serious about learning you just need to start, yes you'll throw away some material but you would if you did work for some else. The nice thing about metal work is you can turn it into something else. You might look up Lanse on this sight, follow his post. He just finish high school but is on his way to a good career in welding and a business of his own.

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I thought he was too cool for school now?

Good for you, go for it. College formal training learning is always preferred over self taught learning. $4k for 3 semesters is a bargain. Audit other classes as needed and save some monies.