I am the Precision Machining Instructor at STC – Suncoast Technical College – Sarasota, Fl. finishing my fifth year. I have over 30 Years of machinist and manufacturing experience including defense, aerospace, medical and Motorsports.
I have worked at many companies such as Lockheed-Martin, Rockwell Automation, Roaring Toyz, Turbocam, Tecomet, Methods Machine Tools, HMP and various smaller job shops. I have earned 9 NIMS National Credentials plus a NIMS certificate of Merit and have an associate certification in MasterCam Cad/Cam systems.
I grew up in the north metro Boston area and then lived in New Hampshire until 2005. Now we live in Venice, Florida and enjoy this new and different lifestyle.
I started this trade at the age of 28. I was on college track in High School in the early 70’s but did not follow through. I worked at unskilled jobs like forklift, warehouse, auto parts until I met someone who went to Boston Tooling and Mfg. school for training. This was a 4 month program that taught basic machining from the NTMA. I quit my auto parts job and after 5 months I was working as a machinist.
Its not a job, its a trained skill that you never stop learning at. I have worked with many great people to make great products and enjoy our days together. Now I just try to pass on what was shown to me to be able to work in today’s modern machine shop world.
I also enjoy motorcycle drag racing and currently have a Kawasaki ZX14 that I race locally and at some nationals. I used to race an old school KZ1000 as a full blown 250 hp dragbike and raced at my local track at New England Dragway , where I won 3 championships and also have won national races. I also build and tune some other winning drag bikes and custom street bikes.
My other hobby is playing marching snare drum in a drum and bugle corps with various groups like the Boston Crusaders Sr. Corps, Sun Devils of Florida and the Muchachos from New Hampshire. I still play occasionally and am now working on learning how to play a set of rock drums.
I hope I can answer your questions or give you an insight into the world and education of the modern total machinist.
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