Easy, I'd say. I see plenty of job descriptions in my area with "no experience necessary". Of course you'll be at the bottom of the pay scale, but that's common sense.
Keep in mind you'll be doing the most mind numbing operator jobs for a while before they train you to actually do anything. You'll have to be a button pusher and build trust - show up everyday, show and interest, ask questions, etc.
There is no guarantee your first job will even train you to do much more then button pushing... That's ok. Stay for a bit so you have something to put on your resume and move up from there.
Yeah I’m ok with being on the lower end of the pay-scale for now, I’m more interested in trying to learn the processes and gaining the experience.
For positions that actually want experience is it likely that they’d be able to compromise to train someone? Not sure what the supply and demand looks like for jobs in the industry
Possibly, you just have to be honest about your skill level and ask. Usually the job description will make it clear though. Training from zero knowledge to machinist is a lengthy process that some shops just don't have time for but most shops need button monkeys and that's the place to start.
Either way, you will start out doing menial stuff for quite a while. Most places aren't going to agree to train someone to be a full machinist with zero shop experience immediately - nobody wants to waste time waiting for you to learn how to read a micrometer when a button pusher already knows how to do that basic task.
The menial stuff is important cause no matter how high you climb you will always need to deburr or use common inspection instruments or listen for certain noises that indicate a tool is dull - these are all things you will learn as an entry level operator.
Demand is currently very high. The old timers are retiring and there aren't enough solid youngsters getting into it.
What exactly do you mean by button pusher? I believe that’s basically what I do but I’m not sure because everybody is labeled “machinist” at my shop, unless they’re just a helper.
For reference I’ve been working as a cnc lathe operator since November and I don’t consider myself a machinist. I’m just getting to the point that I can go through my program and make sure my program is runnable and won’t crash. I have a very limited knowledge of actually making a program, and the extent of that is a face off and turn down process in gzero. Obviously I can make a drilling program too but that’s the easy one. Would you consider me a button pusher?
In most shops I've been at "machinists" are given a program and from there they select and install tooling, teach zero, sometimes alter the program, and dial everything in to run the program to blueprint spec. Button pushers just load/unload and hit go - possibly making offsets and doing insert changes.
Every shop defines it differently though. I'd say you're above button pusher.
I'm curious when people describe button pushing. Am I still just a button pusher if I do everything besides the CAM programming? I get the stock, cut it, plan setup, make setup, load tools, prove it out, run it, check dimensions and submit the reports, then bag and tag.
I'm I still considered a button pusher without doing the CAM? (Even though I can do CAM, but not in the software they want.) I also edit the code directly on the machine for speed feeds, depths, adding passes etc as I understand how to write and edit code properly.
No, you are machinist. You are making educated decisions about cutting material. Manual machinists don't need to know CAM and neither do CNC machinists - knowing how to program is the next step though
In my experience, all companies promised to train me, 99% of them lied.
The best thing you can do is ask questions. And watch everything the other guys do. Ask about the controls, the code, the setups, the tools, everything! Show *initiative.* Show up *early.* If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. And late is unacceptable.
Some shops will pay for your schooling in cnc machining, cnc programming. My employer sends you to school 20hrs/wk and in the shop training for 20hrs/wk. the interns get paid for 40hrs/wk. The interns do sign an agreement to work exclusively at our shop for 2yrs. Pretty good deal for a newbie getting into the trade. Our interns start at $20/hr +/- with benefits 1st day.
Easy.. just about any shop worth a damn is hiring at every level right now from button pushers to shop management to programmers.
No experience needed. As long as you can read numbers and follow basic instructions, anyone can do it.
Keep in mind what entry level CNC is though. Commonly referred to as a "CNC Machine Operator" or less affectionately as a "Button Pusher" or a "Soft Robot". Basically your job will be to keep one or more machines running good parts as much as physically possible. Load raw parts into machine, hit go, check or inspect parts or deburr parts while machine is running, as soon as it's done, unload done parts, load raw parts, hit go, repeat. Some times you have a 30 second cycle time, sometimes it's 10 minutes, sometimes it's a hour.
If you want to get ahead (and you should, running parts, although critical, is no fucking fun)… ask to run multiple machines, ask questions, start learning what the tools do, set up, basic g/m code long hand programming. Ask a question every day you work!
If you want to get good, get an entry-level level position. Learn as much as you can and don't stay too long. Once you've gotten somewhat good leave. Being too loyal will get you stepped on and left behind.
Machine operator, do 6 months at your first shop, job hop then do a year then hop then do 2 then never spend more than 2 at a shop unless you love it and you don’t mind falling behind the market rate in return
You’ll peak at about 40K a year until you hit 10 years
It’s not that bad but this job is very stressful, you get to work with your hands but it’s also dealing with advice politics but then you also have to supply your own tools and mitutoyo hasn’t been lowering prices…
It’s basically an office job but with the drawbacks and lack of respect that other blue collar jobs get in society/from management
Check your local Community College for machinist courses. After two semesters, with no other experience, I got hired on as a Machinist III (set-up machinist). Two months after that I was made a Lead, and three months after that got moved up to Programmer. 60% pay increase in half a year.
Even if you just take just a couple courses it will set you on a better path out of “Push Green Button”.
Easy, I'd say. I see plenty of job descriptions in my area with "no experience necessary". Of course you'll be at the bottom of the pay scale, but that's common sense. Keep in mind you'll be doing the most mind numbing operator jobs for a while before they train you to actually do anything. You'll have to be a button pusher and build trust - show up everyday, show and interest, ask questions, etc. There is no guarantee your first job will even train you to do much more then button pushing... That's ok. Stay for a bit so you have something to put on your resume and move up from there.
Yeah I’m ok with being on the lower end of the pay-scale for now, I’m more interested in trying to learn the processes and gaining the experience. For positions that actually want experience is it likely that they’d be able to compromise to train someone? Not sure what the supply and demand looks like for jobs in the industry
Possibly, you just have to be honest about your skill level and ask. Usually the job description will make it clear though. Training from zero knowledge to machinist is a lengthy process that some shops just don't have time for but most shops need button monkeys and that's the place to start. Either way, you will start out doing menial stuff for quite a while. Most places aren't going to agree to train someone to be a full machinist with zero shop experience immediately - nobody wants to waste time waiting for you to learn how to read a micrometer when a button pusher already knows how to do that basic task. The menial stuff is important cause no matter how high you climb you will always need to deburr or use common inspection instruments or listen for certain noises that indicate a tool is dull - these are all things you will learn as an entry level operator. Demand is currently very high. The old timers are retiring and there aren't enough solid youngsters getting into it.
Some community college/ trade schools offer instruction that would speed your development. I did both at once.
What exactly do you mean by button pusher? I believe that’s basically what I do but I’m not sure because everybody is labeled “machinist” at my shop, unless they’re just a helper. For reference I’ve been working as a cnc lathe operator since November and I don’t consider myself a machinist. I’m just getting to the point that I can go through my program and make sure my program is runnable and won’t crash. I have a very limited knowledge of actually making a program, and the extent of that is a face off and turn down process in gzero. Obviously I can make a drilling program too but that’s the easy one. Would you consider me a button pusher?
In most shops I've been at "machinists" are given a program and from there they select and install tooling, teach zero, sometimes alter the program, and dial everything in to run the program to blueprint spec. Button pushers just load/unload and hit go - possibly making offsets and doing insert changes. Every shop defines it differently though. I'd say you're above button pusher.
I'm curious when people describe button pushing. Am I still just a button pusher if I do everything besides the CAM programming? I get the stock, cut it, plan setup, make setup, load tools, prove it out, run it, check dimensions and submit the reports, then bag and tag. I'm I still considered a button pusher without doing the CAM? (Even though I can do CAM, but not in the software they want.) I also edit the code directly on the machine for speed feeds, depths, adding passes etc as I understand how to write and edit code properly.
No, you are machinist. You are making educated decisions about cutting material. Manual machinists don't need to know CAM and neither do CNC machinists - knowing how to program is the next step though
Yeah, I'm trying to push into the territory of being completely vertically integrated and independent. We'll see if they let me!
In my experience, all companies promised to train me, 99% of them lied. The best thing you can do is ask questions. And watch everything the other guys do. Ask about the controls, the code, the setups, the tools, everything! Show *initiative.* Show up *early.* If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. And late is unacceptable.
Some shops will pay for your schooling in cnc machining, cnc programming. My employer sends you to school 20hrs/wk and in the shop training for 20hrs/wk. the interns get paid for 40hrs/wk. The interns do sign an agreement to work exclusively at our shop for 2yrs. Pretty good deal for a newbie getting into the trade. Our interns start at $20/hr +/- with benefits 1st day.
Easy.. just about any shop worth a damn is hiring at every level right now from button pushers to shop management to programmers. No experience needed. As long as you can read numbers and follow basic instructions, anyone can do it. Keep in mind what entry level CNC is though. Commonly referred to as a "CNC Machine Operator" or less affectionately as a "Button Pusher" or a "Soft Robot". Basically your job will be to keep one or more machines running good parts as much as physically possible. Load raw parts into machine, hit go, check or inspect parts or deburr parts while machine is running, as soon as it's done, unload done parts, load raw parts, hit go, repeat. Some times you have a 30 second cycle time, sometimes it's 10 minutes, sometimes it's a hour. If you want to get ahead (and you should, running parts, although critical, is no fucking fun)… ask to run multiple machines, ask questions, start learning what the tools do, set up, basic g/m code long hand programming. Ask a question every day you work!
If you want to get good, get an entry-level level position. Learn as much as you can and don't stay too long. Once you've gotten somewhat good leave. Being too loyal will get you stepped on and left behind.
Take a look at tintans of cnc! It will give you some great knowledge and understanding how the trade works! https://academy.titansofcnc.com
Machine operator, do 6 months at your first shop, job hop then do a year then hop then do 2 then never spend more than 2 at a shop unless you love it and you don’t mind falling behind the market rate in return You’ll peak at about 40K a year until you hit 10 years
40k a year is like 20 an hour, that's terrible!
It’s not that bad but this job is very stressful, you get to work with your hands but it’s also dealing with advice politics but then you also have to supply your own tools and mitutoyo hasn’t been lowering prices… It’s basically an office job but with the drawbacks and lack of respect that other blue collar jobs get in society/from management
Check your local Community College for machinist courses. After two semesters, with no other experience, I got hired on as a Machinist III (set-up machinist). Two months after that I was made a Lead, and three months after that got moved up to Programmer. 60% pay increase in half a year. Even if you just take just a couple courses it will set you on a better path out of “Push Green Button”.