Newbie- What to buy? Take a class?

[Steve Kramer]

Hi. I've never worked in metal before and would like to know how to get
started. I have a woodworking shop so I am familiar with some machines.
Any suggestions much appreciated. Steve

[JROM]

Just take the hardest wood you ever worked and think 10 times harder.
Then go find some old coot that's be moving metal for 30 years and attach yourself to his hip!

[Lew Hartswick]

Well it always helps if you tell us where you are a little closer than USA.
There are lots of folks around that will be open to "close in" help if you
don't make it so hard to do.
...lew...OK I just noticed I can't even tell you where I am What the
devil do we have to do to put a REAL location by our names?

[jeep534]

Originally Posted by Lew Hartswick Well it always helps if you tell us where you are a little closer than USA. There are lots of folks around that will be open to "close in" help if you don't make it so hard to do. ...lew...OK I just noticed I can't even tell you where I am What the devil do we have to do to put a REAL location by our names?

also what exactly do you mean by work with Metal. cut, Bend, heat, machine, weld, melt/cast

at lest the state would be good. The practical machinist forums have requested that we do that and I think that is a good idea. we live in a big country and a even bigger world. as for learning metalworking The better place to start would be the Practical Machinist forums and the and the home shop machinist forums and there is a Home shop machinist and Machinist Workshop magazines as well.

But By far start by looking for and talking to someone at the Vocational technical school or some universities have machine shop programs. I know University of Mississippi and University of Kentuckey Have programs.

I got started in 2003 and was very fortunate to stumble upon a Machinist/ Mechenic/Tool and die maker that has taken the time to answwer all of my stupid questions. and you know when he says "well you could do that" you had better be asking him how he would go about it.

Being a woodworker you will get the grasp of speeds and feeds really quick. at least I did. I have worked wood for many years. one thing about wood and metal they need to be in different places. the fine wood dust will wreck a machine tool pretty quick.

Pictures of my junk are posted here http://jeep534.smugmug.com/Hobbies
Happy Hunting
archie =) =) =)

P.S. I live Near Huntington WV.