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Wes[_2_]

wrote:

Thank you for the kind words Wes - but I will NEVER be a skilled
tradesman, I am too old (at 55) to get an apprenticeship, and I don't
get enough machine time to get the speed and competence I would like.
The school is VERY tolerant of me, as are the Kiddies - but the group
I started with, on the same level, is now light years ahead of me
because its their trade, they spend their working days using the tools
and techniques I learn about. BUT I do hope to be a reasonable
competent hobbyist in time - as you say, look, listen learn - and its
seeing peoples projects and techniques that gives me the "Oh, thats
how you do THAT light bulb moments" . And I will keep on going to
trade school for as long as I am able, or until the gasoline runs out
- whichever comes first!

Hey, I never got very serious about metal working until 6 years ago when my world changed
job wise and I found myself repairing machines in a metalworking facility.

I'm 50 1/2 and except for being able to see a number of processes at work, I'm looking at
the same places you are and I'm having light bulb moments all the time from reading posts
and viewing web pages.

I bet you become that competent hobbyist that many employers would love to have sooner
than you think. The definition of amateur is rather interesting. It is someone that
pursues some field and studies it because they love it. Loving what you do is an edge
when it comes to learning and growning.

Wes