Slapstick
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2004
- Location
- Ontario Canada
Well I finally did it. After 8 years in the trade I was finally able to quit. I have taken a job @ a Toyota Plant working on the line. The work is far less satisfying but the pay is far more satisfying.
I am saddened with the way the trade has headed… wages seem to have locked in place during the 90’s and been frozen since.
To give you a brief overview of my skill set:
- Served apprenticeship in tool room on Bridgeport’s/surface grinders/engine lathes/saws before moving into CNC work.
- CNC Program Setup and Operate all of my own work – All experience is in tooling… by that I mean dies, moulds etc. but I can still do ok at custom machining.
- Cad/Cam Experience – VISI Versions 14-17, Mastercam X4 and CimatronE 9 (my preferred)
- I can 3D surface and model though it is not my strong point. I CAN do it; but I’ve never had a job where it’s my main focus.
- Very experienced with Deckel Maho DMU Machines 5 Axis Mills – DMU 100P, DMU 125P, DMU 200P
o Previous job was essentially getting a cart full of blocks and working my way through cutting them. 5 Axis Fixed positional cutting, Continuous is not often needed and well it looks cool is not always practical. I setup and operated my own DMU 100P and programmed using CimatronE 9. I had to work in such a way that my machine would run as much as possible and get 3D finishing running over night.
- I can also drive Forklift and operate over head crane
- I am a fast learner
o For example at my last job I was able to learn CimatroneE 9 and the job itself, well enough to be left alone (with one non CNC guy) on an afternoon shift within 5 weeks of employment.
- My personality is very calm and professional. I never yell across the shop at people, instead I walk up to you if I want to have a conversation. I use my inside voice in the cad room. I am very laid back and get along with almost anyone.
- I am a hard worker. If the work needs doing, you can usually count on me for Saturdays. Granted, my work enthusiasm peaks out at 50 hours in a given week.
- I am an excellent teacher and very much enjoy training new employees. I have been complimented many times on my ways of instructing. I actually love teaching, and find 1 on 1 teaching very enjoyable ( I am not the type who would want to teach in front of a class).
My highest Wage achieved in trade - $25/hour. Not a bad wage no, but even that wage aint giving you a luxurious life by any means. Up here in southern Ontario Gas is just about $5/gallon and depending where you are, LOW end town housing is in the 130 000’s – 180 000’s. I’ve had job offers as low as 18/hour.
Toyota’s wage for working on the line is close to $34/hour. I don’t think I will ever see that in trade but I feel I am worth it. Every other trade is in the 30’s/hour (even 40’s!) for a journey man, and I have to say our trade is one of, if not THE hardest.
I love the trade and I will miss it. My hopes are to get through to Die Maintenance inside Toyota, but I’m just as fine on the line. However, I am a CNC guy through and through. (It shocks me that large companies have all other maintenance but never their own CNC’s!!!!)
I am saddened with the way the trade has headed… wages seem to have locked in place during the 90’s and been frozen since.
To give you a brief overview of my skill set:
- Served apprenticeship in tool room on Bridgeport’s/surface grinders/engine lathes/saws before moving into CNC work.
- CNC Program Setup and Operate all of my own work – All experience is in tooling… by that I mean dies, moulds etc. but I can still do ok at custom machining.
- Cad/Cam Experience – VISI Versions 14-17, Mastercam X4 and CimatronE 9 (my preferred)
- I can 3D surface and model though it is not my strong point. I CAN do it; but I’ve never had a job where it’s my main focus.
- Very experienced with Deckel Maho DMU Machines 5 Axis Mills – DMU 100P, DMU 125P, DMU 200P
o Previous job was essentially getting a cart full of blocks and working my way through cutting them. 5 Axis Fixed positional cutting, Continuous is not often needed and well it looks cool is not always practical. I setup and operated my own DMU 100P and programmed using CimatronE 9. I had to work in such a way that my machine would run as much as possible and get 3D finishing running over night.
- I can also drive Forklift and operate over head crane
- I am a fast learner
o For example at my last job I was able to learn CimatroneE 9 and the job itself, well enough to be left alone (with one non CNC guy) on an afternoon shift within 5 weeks of employment.
- My personality is very calm and professional. I never yell across the shop at people, instead I walk up to you if I want to have a conversation. I use my inside voice in the cad room. I am very laid back and get along with almost anyone.
- I am a hard worker. If the work needs doing, you can usually count on me for Saturdays. Granted, my work enthusiasm peaks out at 50 hours in a given week.
- I am an excellent teacher and very much enjoy training new employees. I have been complimented many times on my ways of instructing. I actually love teaching, and find 1 on 1 teaching very enjoyable ( I am not the type who would want to teach in front of a class).
My highest Wage achieved in trade - $25/hour. Not a bad wage no, but even that wage aint giving you a luxurious life by any means. Up here in southern Ontario Gas is just about $5/gallon and depending where you are, LOW end town housing is in the 130 000’s – 180 000’s. I’ve had job offers as low as 18/hour.
Toyota’s wage for working on the line is close to $34/hour. I don’t think I will ever see that in trade but I feel I am worth it. Every other trade is in the 30’s/hour (even 40’s!) for a journey man, and I have to say our trade is one of, if not THE hardest.
I love the trade and I will miss it. My hopes are to get through to Die Maintenance inside Toyota, but I’m just as fine on the line. However, I am a CNC guy through and through. (It shocks me that large companies have all other maintenance but never their own CNC’s!!!!)