How long is the course?

Chuck

I came across a stand manned by SAIT at the Calgary gunshow yesterday, apparently they are offering a gunsmitting course...I grabbed a leaflet, not really thinking, but now I'm home I'm figuring this might be an interesting thing to do.

Has anybody ever taken that course? What type of things do they teach you...the leaflet was very non-descript.

Of course I can contact SAIT directly, but not on Easter Saturday I reckon...

Frans

nw one on me Frans. I've taken a number of courses thu SAIT and NAIT (and even taught, occasionally), but this is the first I've heard of a gunsmithing course. I wonder who the instructor will be? Does it say in the pamphlet? Interesting. - Dan

The full name of the course is "Basic machine Work for Gunsmithing" Mach-222, taught by the Manufacturing and Automation Department....basic machining skills are being taught and the following references to firearms are being made:
Activities include profiling, chambering barrel blanks, and mounting the action the students choose [...] Student will only deal with non-restricted firearms.

Cost $345.

Frans

I took the NASF course several years ago and it interesting and informative,but I think this one might be better. derf

I have had nothing to do with the course directly but have spoken with the instructors and have friends who have taken the course. Students are taught what I would charactarize as advanced hobbyist techniques. By this, I mean the techniques, while sound, are not necessarily techniques an experienced 'smith would use. They do concentrate on safety in methodology and execution which is a good thing.
The instructors are qualified machining instructors and do a fairly good job of relating their instuction to the firearms field.
In the end, they are demonstrating sound machine shop practice and the ultimate results are determined, to a large extent, by the skills and knowledge of the students. I think the course does a decent job of giving the students a basic foundation and perhaps an understanding as to what goes into the machining aspect of building a rifle. As I said, the methods are not what I would use in many cases but they are indicative of sound machine shop practice.
If nothing else, for the cost of addmission, the student gets access to a really well equipped machine shop and will learn the rudimentary skills necessary to successfully fit and chamber a barrel etc. In other words he (or she) can get a good foundation on which to build. Regards, Bill.