CNC machinists from Arizona?

[FastRR]

Hi guys and girls,

I'm fairly new to CNC machining. Currently I am unemployed and trying to learn CNC set up and program editing, and G and M codes.


I don't have any books on the subject and have not been able to find any. I worked for a year, part time on HAAS VF machines and HAAS lathes. I've done manual machining for 11 years total. Dimensional tolerancing and inspection comes easy to me. The most "high tech" work i have done was for one year in an aerospace machine shop overhauling Auxillary Power Unit components. I wished I would have stayed with that company because they were going to train me on the CNC mills.

Anyhow here I am in 2009 with as a manual machinist journeyman with little CNC experience. I would love to work in a CNC shop again, but I do not have set up experience.

So here I am looking for good folks who are willing to pass their CNC knowledge along to myself and others.

If anyone in Arizona owns or operates a CNC shop and wants a very low paid apprentice...... LET ME KNOW! or possibly a free apprentice who takes your work seriously. I'm very willing to learn and help others.

[FastRR]

I'm open to helping in other areas of shop such as drilling, deburing, etc. An equall trade sorta deal..... I help your business... in return for CNC training

Currently I am unemployed looking for work so during this time and after it would be nice to help someone and learn at the same time.

[mc-motorsports]

If your willing to "help out" in exchange for training, you should have no problem finding a shop to apprentice you. Probably won't pay much, but that's better than "helping out" in exchange for experience.

Or is the industry so dead in your area?

Up here in Ohio, there was a damn job listing in the news paper for temporary work, welder/machinist to build parts shelves, $12-15/hr. Basically, they don't want to outsource the job and pay what it's worth, they are trying to find someone to come work there for not enough money and build a bunch of shelves, and when the job is done, your done. First time I have seen something like this, but it just seems they are trying to save a couple of bucks instead of outsourcing the job to a fab shop or buying shelving. Maybe I'm taking it the wrong way, but it just seems to me they are trying to take advantage of the crap economic situation.

[FastRR]

Actually that's not bad for a temp job. You wouldn't believe all the job staffing companies out here taking full advantage of skilled labor... true example: CNC VMC, Fanuc, program editing and set up experience required 3 to4 yrs experience in medical and aerospace, $12-14 hr.

All the job locating agencies here tend to abuse the help by paying very low wages and not so great benefits. But when you live in Phoenix Arizona this is about all there is in the way of machining jobs. It's almost a take it or leave it situation. I'm not saying I'm worth more than $17 an hour IF a business hired me full time, just that they seem to want more qualifications than I have and they want to pay between $9 to $16 hr. The only way a person can land that $16hr pay is if they are a machining guru. Maybe i'm wrong, but I do read all the want ads online every day, never missing a day.

[aerodark]

I was earning $16.50 an hour after two years experience in Phoenix in 1991. It would help if you shopped around!

[FastRR]

I was earning $16.50 an hour after two years experience in Phoenix in 1991. It would help if you shopped around!

Been there, done that. Most machinists here starting out at a company, reguardless of years of exp. make less than $16.50. I tell companies that wanted to hire me I need $15 minimum and I never hear back from them. I'm not rude about how I say it... just the economy i guess... less jobs and employers have the pick of the litter. That is until the economy pics up and their "pick of the litter" goes and gets a better paying job elsewhere.

[todd71]

Been there, done that. Most machinists here starting out at a company, reguardless of years of exp. make less than $16.50. I tell companies that wanted to hire me I need $15 minimum and I never hear back from them. I'm not rude about how I say it... just the economy i guess... less jobs and employers have the pick of the litter. That is until the economy pics up and their "pick of the litter" goes and gets a better paying job elsewhere.

I understand what your saying and agree with "taking advantage of the employee" theme. It happens all the time. Not fair ,still happens. But from an employers point of view $16.50 is more than generous for "unproven talent". That's what a "review" is about. Most shops I've worked at gave a 90 review and adjust wages according to the skills demonstrated. I've always looked at a starting wage as just that. The rest is up to you. There are plenty of hacks out there padding their resumes to get the big bucks. That just screws the more competent talent from a decent starting wage as well. Another thing to consider is more schooling
http://industry.gatewaycc.edu/Progra...ingTechnician/
The pre-apprentice program is like 12-16 weeks and will give you some hands on experience.

Best of luck,
Todd
www.innovative-accents.com

[JimPAC]

Manufacturing Technician!

Jesus Christ!!

Thats the hardest laugh I've had in a while!

Thanks

[todd71]

Manufacturing Technician!

Jesus Christ!!

Thats the hardest laugh I've had in a while!

Thanks

What do you call entry level personnel at your shop? Machinist? It just semantics. Same as entry level auto mechanics are "techs". The course still has value for those wanting to learn. If your point is to prove "ignorance is bliss". Good job. You've succeeded

[locash]

Too bad I'm not busy, I'm a one-man shop in Phoenix with a Haas VF2 mill and a Haas SL-10 Lathe, but I'm lucky to keep the machines running more than a few days a week.. Can you bring some work with you to run on the machines? lol.

Good luck out there, you don't see many people trying to learn new things..

[JimPAC]

I understand the garbage collector wanting to be referred to as a recovery tech!

Getting more education is key and we can all learn new things as we go through life.

When a person can merely wright titles off as semantics then that's what you become!

You either are or you're not something and leave the semantics to the great debaters!

I had apprenticeship training standards approved by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, before Bill and Hillary ruined that agency and thank goodness for that.

Don't hire a plumber to do a carpenters job or vise a verse!

Semantics can become a slippery slope, be careful Todd.

I am keenly aware of whats available for new machinist coming to the industry and meant no offense, furthermore it pisses me off to be referred to as a troop verses Marine!

You taking time to steer FastRR to a place to get needed instruction is appreciated by this old Machinist Technician!!

Machinist Technician is much more impressive than Operator!

I like It!

[todd71]

Guess they could call it "Button pushing 101". FastRR , and others, are in a tough place. Wanting to get in a field that's contracting domestically. In this day and age when industrial art's seem to be fading from the education system. Any organization willing to dedicate resources and facilities to train the machinist and tradesmen of the future deserve our respect and encouragement. These kids and adults taking these courses are the future of our industry. Once the cycle swings the other way these are the people that are going to make it happen.