CNC machinists, where to begin?

[gemini86]

I've been thinking about a career change. Mostly because of a need for higher pay, and also because I've always had an interest in machining and I feel I'm a very quick learner and technical/mechanical things seem to come more easily to me than others I know. ...did the highschool metal shop thing, I'm proficient in welding/fabricating and can operate a manual lathe/mill to some degree, but want to get into the field. My local community college offers classes, but even for a certificate it's a year and a half, and they have you taking 3 credits of required PE? Can't I just do sit-ups at home? For free? I still have to call them and iron out the details, costs, etc.

Any experience or thought on the matter are greatly appreciated!

 

[12volts]

Excellent as this site is, wouldn't you be better putting a post on www.cnczone.com ?


Frank

 

[Ptownkid]

It all comes down to whether or not you can find a shop willing to take you on without any kind of certificate/diploma, or degree. The only way to find out is by trying...no one is going to be able to tell you whether or not you can pull it off. My personal opinion is that it can be done, as i have talked my way into several jobs in the past and learned on the job and proven my capability.

All you can do is try! Good luck!

 

[JohnRoberts]

I worked in a machine shop two summers while I was in HS, it was useful background for understanding how to make stuff.

These days tool making is not a growth industry here. Pick a profession that can't be profitably moved offshore.

It is hard to predict what field of employment will serve you well for the rest of your life. The best thing you can do is learn how to learn, and figure out how to create value for your employer, until you can create value for yourself.  I fear becoming a machinist is not supported by recent business trends.

JR

 

[Rochey]

These days tool making is not a growth industry here. Pick a profession that can't be profitably moved offshore.

It's hard to justify even being an EE these days. So many big companies get stuff designed in China, and then put a western logo on the box.

I think the only secure EE jobs in the US these days are in the defense industry, maybe some Biotech too.

/R

 

[ppa]

weapon systems cannot be "made in china" in the western market

 

[gemini86]

That is true but the military is known for giving contracts to only a few manufacturers. I'm hoping not to relocate. I know there are a couple gun manufacturers up here. It's worth looking into. I also saw a bit on NBC about a reshoring trend starting up with regards to manufacturing, anyone know if it's something that may be sustainable or will it all just end up in Malaysia in a few years? 

 

[ppa]

There are companies that will not relocate their manufaturing.
The companies in the luxury market, for example Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Many think that Ferrari is a small company but it is a big company (a lot of Ferrari cars are sold over the World), the luxury market is however a big market. But there are many small comnpany in this market and they can't relocate their manufaturing in China because it's a bit to hard to sell
a Maserati "made in China".

 

[Gold]

I don't think fine Italian craftsmanship has anything to worry about. I'm a big fan of Italian furniture. There is no mistaking Italian design. I'm also a fan of Chinese silk fabric. I don't see Chinese silk designs being made in Italy as well as it's made in China.

 

[sahib]

There are companies that will not relocate their manufaturing.
The companies in the luxury market, for example Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Many think that Ferrari is a small company but it is a big company (a lot of Ferrari cars are sold over the World), the luxury market is however a big market. But there are many small comnpany in this market and they can't relocate their manufaturing in China because it's a bit to hard to sell
a Maserati "made in China".

Well, Ferrari gave the contract for the miniature models to Chinese Hot Wheels ending a years long relation with Burago about nine years ago. Luckily I had the complete set of Gold and Special collections. Nothing like the real stuff but  hey some of us have to be content with small things.

 

[gemini86]

Well, unless I want to move to Italy (don't think they'd like me there much, being a and American Idiot and all) I think I'll have to stick with companies that stamp "Made in America" on the things they sell. Something you see much with large companies here.

 

[ppa]

I think that several small companies offer the possibility to have more experiences during the same job, you can learn more in the same time in some small companies than in the big companies. That's no a rule, but a good small company is better for who has less experience than a big company, but, I repeat, it is no a rule.

Ferrari was a small company and today many things in Ferrari are as when it was a small company. The Ferrari workers learn several things better than in a big company because the Ferrari workers do several things more (and better) than the workers of a big car company do in  in the same job. 

 

[ppa]

Well, unless I want to move to Italy (don't think they'd like me there much, being a and American Idiot and all) I think I'll have to stick with companies that stamp "Made in America" on the things they sell. Something you see much with large companies here.

yes, you should consider the american companies for a job, there are a lot of companies there, I have said about Ferrari , Lamborghini , Maserati only to make examples. I wanted to say that a good alternative to defence industry are several companies in the luxury market and in USA there are many companies in this market. Yes, maybe they are not so famous as several italian companies as Ferrari , Lamborghini , Maserati , Pomellato, Armani, Gucci, Dolce e Gabbana, Cavalli, Versace, Panerai.......and several others.... but the american companies are very appreciated in the luxury market. There are many american companies that made yachts and they are very appreciated in Italy too even if in Italy there are famous companies in this market.


 

 

[ppa]

today  the luxury market is a good market , it was not affected by the global crisis, because there are many new customers in the emerging markets as Russia, China, Brazil,...etc......  the money are simply moved from sides to sides.

 

[thermionic]

The mainstay of my company is a little accessory for vinyl enthusiasts, which I first released in late 2004. It is CNC-machined here in the UK. I *could* make it for a lot less in China, but there would be large MOQs and I can't afford to have a guy full time in the factory, ensuring 'excess stock' doesn't find its way out of the back door and onto Ebay (this is a classic problem with small OEMs manufacturing in China btw). The firm I've been with for around 4 years now have 12-axis CNC machinery. I also use a variety of finishing firms (as well as small machinists for limited runs / prototypes).

In a nutshell, every firm I sub-contract to works for BAE Systems in some way or other. It's because of the likes of BAE and high end aerospace firms that they stay afloat - they sure as hell wouldn't keep afloat from geek-ware OEMs such as mine. The firms that specialise in high end consumer stuff here in the UK are around 2-3 times as pricey as my CNC shop. I was worried to see BAES lay off 3,000 staff a few weeks back... They make some pretty dodgy stuff, to put it mildly (a decade or two back it transpired they were selling torture equipment to the Saudis...). Ironically, they effectively 'subsidise' small OEMs like mine. I've seen some seriously *weird* wares at my machinists...they wouldn't say what the gear was, but it didn't look like it was designed for mowing the lawn, if you know what I mean.

Anyway - I'm just speaking from experience and hope my random waffling is of some background info / use to you. Best of luck.

Justin