Another 2 cents worth....
Buy something and start making chips. A while back, (9 months?) I think you were asking about mills to buy. Still no mill? You don't want to be asking those same questions 9 months from now.
If you are aggressive your 6 month machining course may get you in the door. Is an employer going to turn you loose on his multi hundred thousand dollar CNC? Probably not until you prove to them you are half way competent and at least won't crash the machine.
I read your budget and I think you should at least double it and add a lathe to the mix. You don't necessarily want to tell a future employer you only have experience on a mill and can't answer his questions about lathe work
Forget the nic nac stuff. Make something that will potentially impress a employer.
Simple to complex turning cubes come to mind.
How about a running model steam engine or locomotive?
Something you can carry around in a shoe box.
How about a chess set? Although that's generally lathe territory.
Go find a wooden model kit of something and make it out of brass, stainless, aluminum and steel.
Take whatever you make (your best couple of pieces) along with a loose leaf binder of the code you used to make each part to your interview.
Where you interview will influence how you present ourself. Production, job shop, small runs, big runs, fix anything that comes in the door?
What are your aspirations for the future? Maybe even start out in some small repair shop at a ski lodge.
Good luck.
Buy something and start making chips. A while back, (9 months?) I think you were asking about mills to buy. Still no mill? You don't want to be asking those same questions 9 months from now.
If you are aggressive your 6 month machining course may get you in the door. Is an employer going to turn you loose on his multi hundred thousand dollar CNC? Probably not until you prove to them you are half way competent and at least won't crash the machine.
I read your budget and I think you should at least double it and add a lathe to the mix. You don't necessarily want to tell a future employer you only have experience on a mill and can't answer his questions about lathe work
Forget the nic nac stuff. Make something that will potentially impress a employer.
Simple to complex turning cubes come to mind.
How about a running model steam engine or locomotive?
Something you can carry around in a shoe box.
How about a chess set? Although that's generally lathe territory.
Go find a wooden model kit of something and make it out of brass, stainless, aluminum and steel.
Take whatever you make (your best couple of pieces) along with a loose leaf binder of the code you used to make each part to your interview.
Where you interview will influence how you present ourself. Production, job shop, small runs, big runs, fix anything that comes in the door?
What are your aspirations for the future? Maybe even start out in some small repair shop at a ski lodge.
Good luck.
