Where did you guys get your know how?

[DusterRT]

I just signed up but I've been visiting this site for some time with great interest! I must say some of the coolest looking projects I've seen on the net to date have been on here. One of the things I like most is the amount of custom fabrication that goes on, rather than the usual bolt on and go, cookie cutter cars. I'll spare the intro, life story, my project car saga, etc. and get to the point.

I'm just curious, where did you guys learn what you know? Especially you professional guys who do this stuff for a living. In a nutshell, I don't have any family to learn from or money to buy equipment to teach myself, which seems to be the route most people have taken.

I'm in the middle of my college career (occupational safety major, manufacturing engineering minor) and haven't found any but one or two classes useful or interesting. Just trying to figure out what I'm going to need to do after college to get where I need to be.

Thoughts on tech schools, like Wyo-Tech and what not? I'm going to get this blasted degree out of my way first while enjoying the college lifestyle but I'm not opposed to some hands-on schooling afterwards. Actually I think I'd enjoy it.

And a plug for myself..if anyone wants a summer shop bitch (aka **free** intern..but you can pay me if you want, lol), let me know. Will travel, (the farther soutwest the better! get me out of the rust-belt) all I ask is for some experience when I am done...I've got some experience with welding, a little with machining, and tons of general mechanical knowlege, so I'm not 100% green.

Sorry this is so long, and mucho gracias for any input anyone has!

Travis