Working your metal shop magic

Jan. 1, 2020
Whether you’re new to the industry or have been employed for a couple years, you can always benefit from upgrading your metalworking craftsmanship.
Working your metal shop magic
Whether you’re new to the industry or have been employed for a couple years, you can always benefit from upgrading your metalworking craftsmanship.Where did you acquire your metalworking skills? If polled, the majority of technicians would say they learned from their high school or post-secondary collision repair educators. Still others may have learned everything they know on the job. These are good sources for learning metalworking skills, but if you’re looking to expand upon what you already know, there are a number of sources that may be able to provide what you are looking for.The following are examples:Rolling Meadows, Ill.,-based I-CAR is a benchmark source for metalworking information and training. The group’s curriculum includes Straightening Steel Program 1 and Straightening Structural Steel Program 1, among other related classes. Visit www.I-CAR.com and click on “Training Courses” for more information. The National Institute for Metalworking Skills Inc. (NIMS) is a non-profit organization that was formed to support the development of a skilled workforce for the metalworking industry, according to the group.  Some of their pursuits include developing, writing, validating and maintaining skill standards for each industry; accrediting training programs and assisting states, schools, and companies to form partnerships and implement the skill standards. The organization can help you locate training facilities in your area, as well as update you on industry standards.Another useful tool that is right at your fingertips is the Internet. If you are looking for more than just training, there are Web sites that can point you in the right direction for tools  and even metalworking clubs. One such site, located at http://metalworking.com/links_to_learn.html, includes a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section and a variety of sources including where to find books, tools and other training materials. But if you are looking for small class sizes and a hands-on approach, Kent White, owner of TM Technologies, may be able to fulfill your training needs. He has been working in the paint and metalworking fields for more than 30 years. He teaches about 10 students at a time in his workshop in Nevada City, Calif., and also travels across the country to conduct seminars. His background is in automotive metalworking, as well as aviation and airplane repair. “I call them metalworking intensives,” White says of his seminars. “I teach them the principles of metal and how it moves.” The four-day program costs $295 and includes meals, materials and supplies. Students are sent a packet of workshop preparation materials, which contains five videos and a study guide. They learn how to stretch, shrink, weld, form and shape metal.As for the curriculum itself, White has developed it over the course of teaching and asking questions of other metalworking experts in the United States and Canada. “Training can be a lifesaver when it comes to turning some guy loose on an expensive Volvo or Acura,” he says of a shop owner’s peace of mind. “Bad habits can accrue way faster than you can imagine. It’s just the little things that can make a big difference. For more information, visit www.tinmantech.com or call (530) 292-3506. If you’re looking for a more formal training program or are interested in taking a few classes, your local community college may have what  you’re looking for. There are also certain schools that have more specialized programs, such as WyoTech in Laramie, Wyo., and Blairsville, Pa. The school offers training in collision/refinishing, among other automotive training. Courses can run from four to six weeks, and the entire program can be completed in nine to 12 months. You can find out more information about the school’s offerings at www.wyomingtech.com.For those more specific questions that you don’t necessarily need to take a class to find the answers, try contacting your metalworking product supplier or jobber. They may have the answers you need or be able to send you in the right direction as well.Becoming more educated in metalworking can give you a leg up on the competition, as well as answer those nagging questions that have been holding you back from your best repair performance. Just because someone with more experience than you taught you a procedure doesn’t mean it’s always correct. When in doubt, always double-check the procedures to make sure you are working that pure metal shop magic.   

About the Author

Lisa Greenberg

Prior to joining ABRN, Lisa served as an associate and later editor of a trade magazine covering the greenhouse industry. During her tenure there she wrote everything from news stories to feature articles that were designed to help greenhouse growers increase their business' profitability. She also traveled extensively in an effort to better understand the greenhouse industry. As editor, she spearheaded a redesign and refocusing of editorial content. Lisa began her journalism career by earning a journalism degree from Eastern Illinois University where she worked as a reporter for the Daily Eastern News.