At IMTS 2024 in Chicago, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ian Sandusky, a prominent content creator for Practical Machinist. He shared valuable insights on how machinists at any level can enhance their skills.  

Check out these 5 great points Ian made highlighting strategies that can help professional machinists improve their craft and stay ahead of the curve! 

1.) Engage with the Community

For novice machinists, Ian emphasized the importance of networking: “The number one thing you should do is get involved with talking to other machinists.” He suggested joining trade organizations or finding a local maker space to expose yourself to new techniques and ideas. Building connections within the community not only fosters learning but also creates a supportive network that can be invaluable, especially early in a career.

2.) Cross-Training

Ian also addressed intermediate skill-level machinists, recommending that they diversify their skill sets: “If I’m a machinist, and I’m really good at mill, well now I should be looking at a lathe or maybe something completely outside of machining, like welding.” By cross-training, machinists can become more versatile and valuable around the shop, and it may help open more career opportunities. A willingness to learn new skills is always good for personal and professional development.

3.) Stay Current on New Tools and Technology

For seasoned professionals, Ian advised staying informed about technological advancements: “If you stay up to date with advances in technology as the years go by, it’s a lot less of a challenge when you need to retrain or learn new software.” Familiarizing yourself with the latest tools and software can ease transitions and reduce the learning curve with new systems.

4.) Have an Open Mind

Ian encouraged all machinists, regardless of their skill-level, to always keep an open mind: “One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a machinist or manufacturing professional is thinking the way you do it is the only way it can be done.” By learning alternate methods, you may find an easier, safer, or quicker way to accomplish the same thing. It may even solve a problem you’ve been approaching wrong all along.

5.) Attend Trade Shows and Seek Information

How do you apply your open mind and stay current? Ian suggests, “Go and seek that information. Attend trade shows, go online and read forums, read manuals.” School may be out, but there is always something new to learn. Stay hungry for new information that can help you be a better machinist.  

An Ongoing Process

Becoming a great machinist doesn’t happen overnight, it’s an ongoing process. Whether you are just starting out or you’re a master craftsman, there is always room for growth. By connecting with others, cross-training, staying updated, and leveraging available resources, machinists can significantly enhance their craft, and find even more fulfillment in their career.  

Check out Ian’s interview, hear from a FlexTrades Machinist, or find more great content on our YouTube page!