Gunsmith apprenticeship Australia

[jeebo]

Hi guys,

I'm a boiler maker by trade and get my share of time working with metal.

As a shooter I'd like to branch out into gunsmithing either for the education or part time with a plan to move into it in a couple of years time when circumstances permit.

I know there's no Cert IV in Gunsmithing or whatever at Tafe like you'd normally do if you were a sparky or whatever.

Does anyone know of gunsmith / workshops taking apprentices though?

[Monty]

You're right about the education options (or lack thereof) for "gunsmithing"in particular.

Closest you will get is a fitting and turning course AFAIK, general machining skills and the like but nothing firearm specific.

Can't say I've ever heard of a gunsmith with an apprentice in Aus.

[Swarm]

Getting skills you can demonstrate will apply to gunsmithing would be the ticket IMO.

What does a 'boiler maker' do exactly?

[jeebo]

What does a 'boiler maker' do exactly?

General steel fabrication. Typically cutting/welding plate into whatever needs making.

Nothing as fine details barrel rifling or anything like that.

More hands on work and not CNC machining etc.

[inervate]

With that you could probably get exemptions for half a machining course and complete it in no time.

Get you bit of paper so you can say you know what you're doing.

[Wisey]

Mate like with most trades, you have to do alot of the footwork yourself.

I would like to shorten a barrel on one of my guns, and change a barrel on another - The tools from brownells seem cheap enough and the gauges. But in australia to learn this sorta thing you have to sorta finance it at your own cost.

[Jessie]

Someone needs to start up a course on this.

There's obviously a niche to be filled. I reckon they could nail it.

[Press]

There's obviously a niche to be filled. I reckon they could nail it.

Yeah, I know half a dozen guys who'd jump at it.

Myself included.

[Aster]

We might have to group a few expert forum members together and start an RTO which teaches gunsmithing

[jeebo]

We might have to group a few expert forum members together and start an RTO which teaches gunsmithing

Sign up me

[Varmtr]

I know a few gunsmiths that there back ground was machining ( lathes, mills, grinders etc ).

Seeing as your in Vic have a chat with Peter Schwarz ( Schwarz Gunsmithing in Bannockburn ) he should be able to point you in the right direction.

Another is try Eastec Engineering he has just started out and was a machinist by trade he's in Traralgon.

[jeebo]

Thanks for the referrals Varmtr.

Much appreciated