Re: How to be a repairman?


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Posted by Daniel C. Oberloh on August 25, 2001 at 02:59:01:

In Reply to: How to be a repairman? posted by Jason on August 23, 2001 at 23:14:15:

Learning to repair band instruments is a slow process that requires dedication, perseverance and a degree of humility especially if you want to do it well and make a decent living at the same time. This is how I did it.
I learned as much as I could in high school and that was not just band class. I studied drafting and basic mechanical design. I had maxed myself out on machine shop and wood working classes, I worked in commercial machine shops now and then cleaning equipment for free so I could learn a little hear and there about using non-automated milling machines and lathes, the old fashion way (before CNC).
I did this in preparation before going to an instrument repair school in Renton, Wa. There is also a school in Western Iowa and Red Wing Minn.

Back when I attended, the class was a minimum two year program that ran you through the ringer. We studied everything, strings, woodwinds, brass, electronics, percussion, acoustics. Mainly we focused on band instruments and back then we overhauled everything. That is not the case now and the program does not go to the depth required twenty years ago. However, it is now only eleven months in length and is still a good starting place for anyone seriously interested in the trade. It only covers basic repair of woodwinds and brass. After I completed my time in trade school, I went to work in a small three man silver smithing shop. The Boss was a real tough SOB but I learned more about plating, polishing and soldering over six months than I could have learned in ten years of trade school. I went from there to a major industrial plating operation doing a wide range of projects and learned a great deal about industrial chemistry. I also learned about the dangers of working with metals, chemicals and electricity. After eight months of working in Hell and dealing with the unpleasant effects of chemical poisoning, I had enough on my list of ability that I managed to get a job with a major music company. My employer had a good relationship with a Master Band Instrument Technician and he employed him to oversee and guide me through a proper five year apprenticeship. He trained Tech. students at the Oakland Allied facility in the 60's. He is still repairing to this day although he is retired from the commercial bizz. I guess at this point I had my foot well in the door and by working my way up through the shop I become the foreman. That is what happens when you are well trained and can handle everything that is dumped on your bench without running away or making excuses. I would recommend not falling into the trap of wanting to be a so called" Brass Specialist". If you want a job, you have to do it all. Once you are established you can do what ever you want. Whether you can make a go of it and pay the bills is another story. I have learned to and have rebuilt everything from piccolos to tubas and have built a strong business repairing and rebuilding instruments. I have never stopped studying and at the same time I train all the employees in my shop today. They all work hard and have earned there place through there talents.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if you want it bad enough you are going to have to work vary hard for it. Few highly skilled Repair Technicians are willing to take someone and train them for free. They expect you to learn quickly and work hard to make the business money. Just showing up on time is not good enough. You can not be proud and think you know it all or you will be shown the door. If you can get into a shop where you are to be trained on the job you will have to make yourself of use and to do that you will have to be a self starter. Empty trash, sweep floors, clean the head, etc. Not vary glamorous in the beginning but in a years time with a lot of study and dedication to doing a good job quickly, you will be repairing instruments. Where you go from there is up to you. Learning to do large brass narrows the field even more and because so you will have to be creative. You will probably want to go to school to get a little hands on time with the tools and the instruments and than see if you can get into a shop with experienced workers . Because of the physical demands of working on large brass, older Techs will be glad to show you how so they wont have to ; ) it is a good trade and very rewording. There is also a strong demand for good talent.

If you want, you can give me a call and I will be glad to talk with you in more detail about the trade. You are welcome to visit the gallery at my company web site, I think you will find it of interest. You can also get my number there.

Sorry about the lengthy text but it has been a long twenty years to get here.

Regards,
Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
www.oberloh.com


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