Hello from Ohio
 

Hi my name is Ron and I'm from Ohio. I just recently graduated high school where I took a 2 year Auto Collision program. I did well in that class and I was picked to compete both my Jr and Senior year at SkillsUSA. I got 4th at the state level my Jr year and 2nd my Senior year. Even though I did alright in the collision field and its what I do currently as my job I've decided its just not right for me. I've always loved metal working and now I want to take it to the next level in which I believe this website will help me do. I look forward to seeing everyone's work on here and learning from you all.

Thanks, Ron.

Hi Ron and welcome!
Congratulations on your award! That is something to be proud of. :)

Hi Ron

Welcome to Allmetalshaping.
Where in Ohio do you live?

Congratulations on your great work at the state competitions!

There is a lot of great information here on the site, and many good you tube videos that can get you started on a small budget.

A few hand tools and some sheet steel to play with you can learn a lot.
Welding skills are also very important. TIG & oxy- acetalene are the best for this craft.

Steve

Hi Ronald welcome to the forum
Peter

I'm in sandusky Ohio about 30 minutes from cedar point. Thank you guys I'm very proud of the success I had in that program, I owe my teacher a lot for what he taught me.

Welcome Ronald:

Great you did so well in your competition. You can learn a lot from this site. Do you have your own tools or are you using ones owned by the shop where you work?

Jere

Hi Ron, welcome to allmetalshaping.

David

Yeah I have some tools. Im going to start searching for some threads that will point me in the right direction on what tools I should get and start off with right now.

Give us a rundown of the tools you have and maybe we can help fill in some holes.

Most of the tools I have are better suited for collision work I think. I have multiple die grinders and angle grinders. Toe dolly, light dinging spoon, 2 body hammers. I have access to a mig welder when ever I need it but I want to learn tig and was looking for some classes around that I could take. I was going to get 1 or 2 metal files, more spoons, slapper sticks(Im not sure if thats the correct name for them) more dollies, hammers, shot bag. I saw some great ideas on stands for the shot bag so I was going to just build one. Thats what I was going to get started with, I dont know if Im going in the right direction with that or not though.