Apprenticeship Wisdom: What Every New Machinist Should Know

🚢 The Post That Started It

The responses poured in — advice, stories, warnings, and a bit of humor. Here’s what the machinist community had to say:

💡 Community Advice for New Apprentices

• Stay focused & ask questions – If you’re unsure, speak up. Don’t guess.

• Be a sponge – Soak up all the training you can. Machining isn’t easy at first, but stick with it and you’ll grow.

• Keep your sense of humor – Or… just show up late, call in sick Mondays, and spend 25 minutes in the bathroom twice a day… 🤞🏼 (kidding… don’t do this 😆).

• Take criticism constructively – No question is silly if you don’t know the answer.

• Do your best – “Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.”

• Take notes – Old school? Sure. But you’ll have them forever.

• Hands-on safety – Don’t forget to remove the chuck key 😎.

• Focus at work – Leave your phone in the truck.

• Respect safety rules – Never use a file without a handle, don’t wear gloves near moving machinery, and always wear glasses.

• Learn from the experienced – Find the oldest machinist in the shop and ask questions. They won’t be around forever.

• Mistakes happen – If you mess something up, stop and report it right away. Learn and move forward.

• Watch and listen – Sometimes you learn more from observing than from words.

• Measure twice – Say measurements out loud to help retain them.

• Invest in knowledge – Get a Machinist Handbook and actually use it.

• Drill sharpening – Learn to sharpen a drill by hand — it’s a core skill too many skip.

• Work ethic matters – Show up early, stay a little late, keep your area clean, help with the “small” tasks. The lazy ones will fade away.

• Consistency is king – Enthusiasm, safety, and steady effort will set you apart.

🛠️ Final Word

Apprenticeships aren’t just about hours — they’re about building habits, skills, and relationships that will last your whole career. If you’re starting out, you’ve got a whole community cheering you on.