Just ran my first production part after 3 years of learning this trade

Started as a green helper at a shop in Tulsa back in 2021, and last week I finally got to solo a Haas VF-2 and crank out a full aluminum bracket order. It took me 3 scrapped parts and a crash that bent a vise jaw to get there, but I hit tolerance on all 50 pieces. Anyone else remember that first win that made all the studying feel worth it?

3 comments

3 Comments

eva_adams686d ago

Used to think those first few crashes were just part of the cost of learning. But after I blew up an endmill on a job that was supposed to be simple, I realized how much those little mistakes actually stick with you. That first good run definitely changes your whole perspective on the process.

brooke7676d ago

@eva_adams68 I get what you're saying, but I actually don't think those crashes stick with you that much. After a while you just learn to shake it off and move on, the real lesson is not to let one blown endmill mess with your confidence for the next job.

graydavis6d ago

That's the thing about any skill really. You learn more from one broken tool than ten perfect cuts. Same reason why I'll never forget pulling the starter cord on a lawn mower that had the throttle full open. That kickback taught me more than any manual ever could. These little humbling moments are just part of the process. They keep you honest.