Hello ... I'm Mr. Ed HA just kidding.

I have always wanted to be a gunsmith but I recieved some (what I think is) good advice and that is to become a good machinist/tool and die guy and then start on the side. Makes sense to me, even if it means going back to school. So I know there are some T&D guys here and was wondering if they had any insights to the job, tips on how its helped them when it comes to gun plumbing?

Also any way I can get a lathe and milling machine classified as "school supplies" so I can have them included in my student loans lol .

Thanks all.

A good tool and die man has a good career and will be well paid .But you will use the knowledge with everything you do with metal.

any business can depreciate tools and the mill and lathe are just that.....I doubt that student loans will cover this however.

Generally the procedes from grants and loans will be given directly to the college. Once the tuition is covered any additional funds are given to the student, without limitations on how it can be spent. Go BIG! that's my advice. I bought two motorcycles with my student loans. Thought I was the coolest guy on the block. I'll be paying those bikes off in 2020

Tool and Die has changed so much in the past 30-40 years that someone that retired 20 years ago would be lost in today's shop. The great advancements in CNC machinery, wire EDM and sinker EDMs have made a lot of tooling a piece of cake compared to "the good old(not)" days.
Molded plastic parts have replaced many things that were metal stampings, also, which has greatly changed things.
If you can get an older T&D person to mentor you, it will be a great chance to learn a lot of skills.
Opinions by Jay

Yea - I was just hoping on those machines. lol

The tool and die program seems to be heavy on CNC, molds, and EDM so I think it is a fairly up to date program.

Like the idea of a career that isn't so dependant on the political winds (gunsmith). I hope to learn enuff to eventually true my own actions, cut, thread and install my own barrels and make my own do-dads (1/4 ribs, sights ect) I have the book my Mark Stratton - love it and I hope to be able to build some of the jigs in the class.

thanks all.