Posted on 09/03/2017 5:00:45 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Myself and a business partner purchased a high end 3D printer last year to do prototyping.
We are looking for a 3D scanner that we can afford today.
In the future we will print out a part and then finish the critical dimensions on a machine tool.
Great time to enter the machine field.
Finding a good machinist is like finding gold. We are constantly designing new things.
Nice setup. I think the real money is on the smart young folks entering the workforce who can bring not only skilled trades know-how, but who can design in 3D CAD and has some familiarity with basic IT and networking and software - C programming as well as G code. Those who are comfortable working outside the traditional box are going to be highly sought-after and will be paid premium wages, especially in smaller companies and the higher-paying R&D type jobs.
You will always find a job.
I work in light manufacturing enterprise and its tragic that none of the youngsters have the slightest idea how to operate basic handtools, much less a table saw or metal brake. We need to teach every single hire how to use a drill press.
These youngsters would earn so much more and be so much more valuable if their schools had offered 7th grade wood shop & 8th grade metal shop.
I made sure my son knows how to do the usual American male garage workshop jobs. Last week, he and a buddy installed a kitchen in a rental. did a mighty fine job. and he is more confident because of it.
My son just finished Firefighter 1 training. The head of the program spoke to all parents on Parents Day when the cadets got to show off all their new skills. During his speech, he contrasted today’s cadets with those from 30 years ago. No surprises. 30 years ago most cadets were high school graduates and came from the trades; they knew tools, construction, building design, electrical systems, etc very well.
Today, they are almost all college graduates and, when they enter the program, only know how to use apps on their phones and play sports.
The training program has really had to adapt. At the end of the program, it is impressive seeing these men and women in their 20s using hydraulic rescue tools, chainsaws to ventilate roofs, tying knots to hoist tools up three stories, throwing heavy ladders, and operating pumps and nozzles.
Spent a couple years as a machinist before enlisting - really enjoyed it and it helped hone my “work with your hands” that Dad had engendered in me. Came in handy as hell a few times.....
I recently toured a facility that makes AR parts. They have optimized the process(s). An AR lower comes off the CNC machining center basically complete and at a shocking rate.
“equaviator was talking about the the industry that makes machine tools, not the machinists themselves”
That’s correct. A machinist operates the machine tool(s).
Still made in the US:
“...South Bend 10K heavy lathe.”
I am jealous.
Absolutely; there’s a community college in Virginia that has a well-known and established machining program. Each graduate has an average of seven job offers when they complete the program.
As Mike Rowe has noted, the average age of people in this country who can make things and fix them is 58. Tremendous opportunities for young people who are willing to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing, machining and other skilled trades.
I've got a few others started down the path of embedded computing.
Find a local high school to mentor their FRC club. It is well worth the time spent.
I am also self taught, but prefer manual machines. My career was related to embedded computing, so now I want a break.
I had some work early in my life at an automotive machine shop. It was very satisfying,fascinating work,but,unfortunately it was very poor pay. Tried to get back into it later on,but wasn’t able. Maybe the pay now is better,but at the time I found it unsatisfactory. Anyone interested in a variety of machine work but without much knowledge of what it is about can find some good examples of it on YouTube. Opening your own machine shop would be the way to go in some areas of the country.
Take home pay for them is much higher than $55K especially with write offs.
Bay area? Does that mean the City of San Francisco?
Hell no, San Francisco is for apartment dwelling gays and fresh out of school kids. My home is in Los Gatos, about the same price as San Francisco.
Do you have any idea what what the average home now is in San Francisco? Try about $1,500,000.
You going to buy a home in SF on 60k or even 100k per year? Not hardly.
That was my point.
Los Gatos? Gezz, that’s another costly leftist crap hole.
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