Resources for a new metal worker

Alan,

Not to discourage you, but you cannot read how to become a welder, machinist or fabricator (it _is_ a good start, however). Not to mention the time you've given yourself. The machinist apprenticeship is 3 years. A welder/fitter apprenticeship is 4 years. I'm not saying you need that much time to be able to turn a part or run a bead, but 2 months is barely enough time to get through filing! ;-)

Do you know anyone with these skills that would be willing to teach you? Hands on experience is _exceptionally_ important.

I'm just learning how to weld at work. I spent 16 hours (2x 8hr days) running a braze bead and I still can't do it _that_ nicely. That was after

What kind of work does your project entail (specifically)? Do you have the machines necessary to start work now (mill, lathe, drill press, grinder, assorted welding machines/rigs, etc)? How many hours per day can you work on it?

HTH.

Regards,

Robin

By the time I was middle-aged, I thought I was pretty good with metal.

Then I watched a real machinist work for a couple weeks. (:

snipped-for-privacy@netscape.net (Alan Watts)

I have never thought of sculpture as something associated with a "race."

You might consider whether or not you do, before you enter. Frank Morrison

This usually very helpful group seems to have a starting problem on this thread. Read about the competition at

I suspect that effective design has more value than metalworking skills. How about a small dinghy or Sunfish with retractable wheels?

Check out the Rules for this 'race', very entertaining, although I'm sure the actual event is even better !

Hey Allen,

Take care. Have fun. Let us know when the event is completed and up on a URL so we can see what happened.

Hmmm?? Th>Hello,