I am seriously debating a career change. Now that I am 45, the printing industry is getting harder on this old bod.

I am thinking about learning the gunsmithing trade instead. Does anyone know of a smith within an hour or so of Chicago that is willing to take on an apprentice?

Any other options/tips are appreciated.

[This message has been edited by Mr_Magoo (edited 06-21-2001).]

Talk about taking a downhill turn, hope you don't have a family to support...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray,

Not sure if it would be a downturn. Granted, printing pays well, but in lots of other ways it sucks. I am tired of the sore back from hefting stock for 10 hours a day.

I would rather spend my time working with firearms for 1/4th the pay if it gives me satisfaction. Besides, the more I am around guns, the more it PO's the ex...

Are you on the North side or the South side?

There is a place in Vernon Hills (N. side close to 6 Flags) but I don't know if they will take apprentices.

I am all for following your hopes and dreams (heck, that is what my business does!) but I also echo Rays thoughts, it is not a responsible way to support a family. If you don't have that need, and would be happier doing something you love and eating a lot of soups, then by all means follow your hopes!

If you are still interested send me an email and I'll look it up for you.

Mark

Ray, I was waiting for your comments. I am waiting to see what others post. PS, I am a cranky old bachelor, with no dependents, it sort of helps in this dumb job I have.

What is a gunsmith?

(1) a master machinist to make it "right"
(2) an artist to make it pleasing to the eye.
(3) a perfectionist who won't send something to a client he/she isn't proud of.
(4) have at least 3 hands and lots of patience to talk to me on the phone when I call to see how my rifle is coming.
(5) someone who doesn't hunt so he/she is available during the hunting season if needed.
(6) not care about long hours or much $/hour.
(7) Finally, the patience of Job.

Great,

Thanks a lot guys, now what am I gonna do when I hit MY mid-life crisis? I was gonna be a smith too. Now I guess I'll go to plan B...Talent scout for a brothel!

Just as long as you don't start suggesting that it's somewhere in the San Francisco Bay area!

Hmmm, I thought this was a plan to learn smithing. Oh well... back to the drawing board.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the candor.

Mr. Magoo,

I'm posting this here because you don't have an email listed, but could you contact me? I can relate to what you are trying to do and hopefully can provide so help in the right direction.

No flames, please, but a good machinist seems to be able to make a decent living. Couldn't one train as a machinist, make a living doing it, and use the skills learned to indulge one's smithing urges as a hobby or part time business? JMO, Dutch.

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For evil to prosper, good men must do nothing. (Burke)

Hello,
Here is an idea for your career change. Learn gunsmithing, but also focus on "machine shop" work. Then you can open a "split business". Here is what I mean. There is a man my hunting partner knows that is a great gunsmith, he makes some wonderfully accurate, very lightweight rifles. But he makes most of his living owning a business that makes special screws for the medical industry.

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

Funny you should mention the link between a machinist, and a gunsmith, I can turn down a shaft and thread it for a farmer, within .020 tolerences, charge $150, and he's happy, I turn down, thread, chamber, & fit a barrel to an action with .0005 tolerence, and the gun owner thinks it is highway robbery, cause "Joe" in timbuctoo does it for $80, go figure. It seems that everybody is predicting you to die a fool and a pauper for wanting to learn an Honorable trade. I don't feel like either, but if it will make everybdy feel better I will raise my prices 50% so I can make some money at this business!