Millwright?
- Thread starter lil_juiced_coupe
- Start date
Machinist would be better than millwright.
In my experience, millwrights only learn a the basics of actually machining. Turn shafts, cutting key ways, threading, simple stuff. They are basically mechanics for industrial machines.
Machinist would put you miles ahead.
In my experience, millwrights only learn a the basics of actually machining. Turn shafts, cutting key ways, threading, simple stuff. They are basically mechanics for industrial machines.
Machinist would put you miles ahead.
I'm a 3rd millwright apprentice. It will certainly help in the aspect of becoming more mechanically inclined. As well as learning how to use tools (like punches), welding and looking at the bigger picture of how things come apart and go back together.
But in my day to day work I rarely ever do anything that I could apply to gunsmithing. I still take my guns to the gunsmith if I need something done that is above my skill level.
just my $0.02
But in my day to day work I rarely ever do anything that I could apply to gunsmithing. I still take my guns to the gunsmith if I need something done that is above my skill level.
just my $0.02
A gunsmith needs to know how to use a lathe very well... forget about other machinery until you are very comfortable using a lathe and able to thread up close to a shoulder and turn diameters accurately.
Being able to use a drill press for drilling and tapping 6 x 48 blind holes is a real asset.
Small milling jobs can be done on a lathe. I have gunsmithed since 1967 and have never had the need for a milling machine. Sure it would be very handy sometimes and there are jobs I can not do without one, but it is not high on my list for gunsmithing requirements.
Being able to use a drill press for drilling and tapping 6 x 48 blind holes is a real asset.
Small milling jobs can be done on a lathe. I have gunsmithed since 1967 and have never had the need for a milling machine. Sure it would be very handy sometimes and there are jobs I can not do without one, but it is not high on my list for gunsmithing requirements.
I'm lazy, I flip the tool upside down, start at the shoulder and run the machine in reverse.
But more likely I just slap it into the CNC. God I love CNC. Makes life so easy. Punch a couple buttons and the part is perfect.
shatthatkilledelvis
Regular
- Location
- in the bby
I'm lazy, I flip the tool upside down, start at the shoulder and run the machine in reverse.
I could never figure out why more people don't do it this way.
I was taught that by a crusty old machinist during my millwright apprenticeship. I look back and wish i had become a ticketed machinist instead of amature hobbyist machinist.
I agree with the other posters that being a machinist will put you farther ahead at becoming a gunsmith than being a millwright. But with a little time, patience, practice and the desire to learn you will be able to learn a alot about gunsmithing. And nowadays the information is much easier to come by - plenty of books, dvds and the interweb/forum like this one.
280 ackley
Member
- Location
- rocky mountain house
i couldnt imagine not having a mill in my gunshop.i use it alot.
I'm taking my preemployment for Machinist. The instructors cringe when they get in a fresh batch of Millwrights. Picture two guys trying to dial in a four jaw chuck on the lathe while the third guy plays with the power lever. Or the one apprentice Millwright that didn't think he had to tighten the cams on the chuck and turned his lathe on, launching the chuck across the room. Taking a machinist course will put you miles ahead. Millwrights are just taught enough to be dangerous.
Picture two guys trying to dial in a four jaw chuck on the lathe while the third guy plays with the power lever. Or the one apprentice Millwright that didn't think he had to tighten the cams on the chuck and turned his lathe on, launching the chuck across the room. Taking a machinist course will put you miles ahead. Millwrights are just taught enough to be dangerous.I was trying to be polite with my post, but yeah, you nailed it.I'm taking my preemployment for Machinist. The instructors cringe when they get in a fresh batch of Millwrights.
I'm not knocking mechanics, but millwrights are just mechanics for stationary machines. They turn wrenches.
"Millwrights are just taught enough to be dangerous." Funny quote since 1st year millwright and 1st year machinist are basically the same course. 8 straight weeks of machining I would say is the basics not just enough to be dangerous. When I took my millwright training at NAIT we heard the same horror stories only they were about 1st year machinist apprenctices. You would be much farther ahead taking the machinist program if gunsmithing is your ultimate goal though.
Lil Juiced Coupe, before listening to these guys make sure you can spell better than they can. HA ha ha. Just kidding.
You grab which ever apprenticeship you can. That ticket is the difference between going for a walk and a coffee and donut and going for a walk and looking into Tim Horton's on the way by, wishing you could afford a coffee and donut. Depending on where you work, millwrights make $30 -$40 per hour. Same goes for most trades people. If you can pick which one you want, the machinist trade will suit your desires better than the millwrights trade.
Millwright means factory mechanic, it is composed of 25 different venues of trade. Millwrights are basically "Jacks of all Trades" and masters of none. They like everyone else, all have strong and weak points. Usually dictated by their places of work. Some Millwrights, because of work conditions, are nothing more than high priced laborers. Some are incredibly gifted at almost everything they do. Again, it usually depends on the job required and the willingness of your employer to broaden your skill levels.
Getting the ticket is just the basis of a huge learning curve to skill and the mental parameters to deal with many diverse situations from every day hum drum to extreme hazard or stressful conditions and take it on with confidence, while exercising proper safety and acceptable methodology to each situation. It isn't rocket science by any means, none of the trades are. If you're a lazy individual, don't become a tradesman, there is nothing worse than a mickey mouse tradesman.
Millwrighting can be interesting, boring, dirty, clean, hard work and smart work. It can also be monkey work but they don't pay for what you do, they pay for what you're supposed to know. Much of any trade, can be easily done by any non skilled or handy individuals. If you do your job well, even the really difficult procedures look simple.
Take the plunge and do it, it will make you a lot more salable to an employer, and when it comes to lay off time at christmas, you will be working but at 2 -3 times regular rates. It isn't uncommon for tradesmen to make $5000 over a week long Christmas shut down. Apprenticeship wages can be extremely difficult to get by on in the first year as well. The good news is, you're guaranteed a raise every year, as long as you pass the exams.
You grab which ever apprenticeship you can. That ticket is the difference between going for a walk and a coffee and donut and going for a walk and looking into Tim Horton's on the way by, wishing you could afford a coffee and donut. Depending on where you work, millwrights make $30 -$40 per hour. Same goes for most trades people. If you can pick which one you want, the machinist trade will suit your desires better than the millwrights trade.
Millwright means factory mechanic, it is composed of 25 different venues of trade. Millwrights are basically "Jacks of all Trades" and masters of none. They like everyone else, all have strong and weak points. Usually dictated by their places of work. Some Millwrights, because of work conditions, are nothing more than high priced laborers. Some are incredibly gifted at almost everything they do. Again, it usually depends on the job required and the willingness of your employer to broaden your skill levels.
Getting the ticket is just the basis of a huge learning curve to skill and the mental parameters to deal with many diverse situations from every day hum drum to extreme hazard or stressful conditions and take it on with confidence, while exercising proper safety and acceptable methodology to each situation. It isn't rocket science by any means, none of the trades are. If you're a lazy individual, don't become a tradesman, there is nothing worse than a mickey mouse tradesman.
Millwrighting can be interesting, boring, dirty, clean, hard work and smart work. It can also be monkey work but they don't pay for what you do, they pay for what you're supposed to know. Much of any trade, can be easily done by any non skilled or handy individuals. If you do your job well, even the really difficult procedures look simple.
Take the plunge and do it, it will make you a lot more salable to an employer, and when it comes to lay off time at christmas, you will be working but at 2 -3 times regular rates. It isn't uncommon for tradesmen to make $5000 over a week long Christmas shut down. Apprenticeship wages can be extremely difficult to get by on in the first year as well. The good news is, you're guaranteed a raise every year, as long as you pass the exams.
Not in Saskatchewan. Nor is that the case from what I've heard in other places.
No one is trashing millwrights here. We're just saying the machinist course would be better suited to a person looking at gunsmithing.
Not the case here in Ontario, The machinist program is very indepth. First 8 months is all manual machines working to .0002" on your final project. Last 4 months is CNC. I'm quiting after the 8 month mark because I just wanted the manual machinery portion.
You also get into other things like drills, reamers, taps/dies, indexing heads, gear cutting, etc. and all the correct formulas for working with different tooling/materials
You also get into other things like drills, reamers, taps/dies, indexing heads, gear cutting, etc. and all the correct formulas for working with different tooling/materials
Bearhunter called it as it is. I started the same way as the original poster.Started my preapp for machinist then the college went on strike. Saw the way gun control was starting to influence gun sales (back in the 80's)and less and less people hunting so I carried on working and didn't go back to school.Fast forward 3 years had the opportunity to take the preapp course again and decided to take the millwright specialty instead this time. Never looked back.One of the best decisions I've made.I can honestly say I have never dreaded going to work once in 21 years. But I digress.Ya want to be a gunsmith take the machinist preapp find a job,get your ticket then head to the states and take a gunsmith course and then find someone willing to teach you all over again.Its not a short trip to becoming a gunsmith. Good luck. And I love hearing everyone's take on my career.
