Don't root on me too hard, just 'cause I live in the land of magical thinking. There used to be industry all around me, though it's faded to a ragtag collection of barrios and barista joints. Currently the local fringe wants to stop the America's Cup (sailboats) because it might pollute the bay. Perhaps they need a snootful from a dry stack Detroit 8v92 to help with their relativistic problem
A couple of shipyards around Alameda still keep up the hope that America might revive its manufacturing before the sum total of old-timers knowledge slips away. I wouldn't bet on it, though.
I'm mostly self taught in the land of metalwork, but did spend class time for welding. I have the aluminum disease, having been seduced by its strength/weight ratios.
Figured I'd join this group in search of info, and perhaps i can provide a little too. I am always trying to find different methods to deal with metal--don't want my epitaph to be "the guy who worked a lifetime at the same thing and never got better."