Edmonton Alberta

[grinder_gary]

Looking for mentor of plasma tables. Looking to build my own, already started. Would help out for any information or experence.

[tangent]

Originally Posted by grinder_gary Looking for mentor of plasma tables. Looking to build my own, already started. Would help out for any information or experence.

hello gary I not about to be a mentor as i am a sencond year only tool and die student but i am just looking for likeminded canadians to perhaps lend me some of thier experiance in the field or actually am also just looking for a netwerk of folks...

[grinder_gary]

Tangent,
PM me sometime. I am also looking for fellow cnc'ers I am a welder by trade, but have mostly oil field experience. I am in the process of fabricating a large plasma /oxy acetelene table. Would like to have other opinions as well as make new friends!!!
Gary

[Chuck Reamer]

Originally Posted by tangent hello gary I not about to be a mentor as i am a sencond year only tool and die student but i am just looking for likeminded canadians to perhaps lend me some of thier experiance in the field or actually am also just looking for a netwerk of folks...

Hey I am also in Edmonton, what tool and die program are you taking. I didnt think there was even a tool and die red seal in Alberta?

I have my machinist ticket, but have done an equal amount of die work. I thought my tool and die ticket wouldnt happen after I left Winnipeg.

I have worked as a tool and die maker/ machinist for the about 4.5 or 5 years, with a manufacturing tech. diploma. I am currently running a brand new shop that does plastic and fiberglass work, as well as injection and rubber compression mold making.

Most of my experience is on manual machines but I know my was around a CNC. We are in the process of buying a new CNC mill and lathe for the shop, so we can really get up and running.

[tangent]

...I am actually located in toronto but thanx for the reply I am interested in what sort of fiberglass work would be utilized by a machinest tool and die shop,as i have ten plus years as a fiberglass mould maker before i decided that i wanted to become involved in the tool and die field i have also worked two years as a machine operater in an auto parts manufacture in injection molding......with these types of skills as well as my recent schooling in your opinion do you think i will have any trouble finding an apprentiship.......any advice would be imensly appreciated....jason

[Chuck Reamer]

Originally Posted by tangent ...I am actually located in toronto but thanx for the reply I am interested in what sort of fiberglass work would be utilized by a machinest tool and die shop,as i have ten plus years as a fiberglass mould maker before i decided that i wanted to become involved in the tool and die field i have also worked two years as a machine operater in an auto parts manufacture in injection molding......with these types of skills as well as my recent schooling in your opinion do you think i will have any trouble finding an apprentiship.......any advice would be imensly appreciated....jason

Damn I thought you were out here in Edmonton, I machine fiberglass on a lathe and mill. I is a fairly specialized field, no one wants to deal with it so its mostly me. A very wide varaity of plastics get turned and milled also. Its about half of our work, the other have is mold making or at least it will be. We need the new mill bad there are over half a dozen molds we needed done yesterday. Shouldnt be long, hopefuly within the next 6 weeks.

I wouldnt think you would have trouble finding an apprentiship out here, but everyone from Ontario I talk to its damn near impossible to find one. There is usually only 1 or 2 journeymen in a huge plant with a ton of operators. That is just what I have heard from a few friends, that doesnt mean its impossible.

There is an awfull lot of T&D work in that part of the country, with your experience you shouldnt have much trouble. Start networking with your intructors, and fellow students about potential employment. I had an apprenticship lined up as soon as I was finished school, but that was in Winnipeg. Its about who you know, if you dont know anyone then pound the pavement hard. Look through the phonebook for T&D/machine shops and go there in person, not a phone call or fax. Most of my interviews were very informal, just talking shop with the foreman for the most part. It is very easy to tell if a person knows anything just buy walking them around a shop and talking about the jobs/machines going on.

Show interest and take initiative(sp?) if you go to 15-25 shops you may have your pick of jobs.

[bucont]

Originally Posted by tangent ...I am actually located in toronto but thanx for the reply I am interested in what sort of fiberglass work would be utilized by a machinest tool and die shop,as i have ten plus years as a fiberglass mould maker before i decided that i wanted to become involved in the tool and die field i have also worked two years as a machine operater in an auto parts manufacture in injection molding......with these types of skills as well as my recent schooling in your opinion do you think i will have any trouble finding an apprentiship.......any advice would be imensly appreciated....jason

Tangent

The trade has been very good to me over the last 30 years. I have only been laid off 1 week in that time up until now. I am looking in the London to Windsor area and have been out of work for 8 months, it is very tough down here. In my search I have found many companies asking for apprentices mostly in the Woodstock to Cambridge area. Must be due to the new Toyota plant opening soon.
We no longer have the traditional programs that allot of us went through, it seems now the employers want the new folks to have the 2 years of college before you come to them. Good or bad I don't know, just seems sometimes book smarts can get in the way of learning.
So my advice, get registered into some night class required for certification. Take the basics at least it will show an employer your are serious and give you a head start on someone fresh out of high school.

My 2 cents.