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Questions...Answered 003: Training and Why That Matters

Mark Novak
Published on March 12, 2021
Category: Gunsmithing & DIY
Duration: 2:21

Mark Novak emphasizes that his nuclear power background's primary value to gunsmithing is the learned ability to acquire new skills. He highlights that while his formal training wasn't directly applicable, the process of learning complex systems taught him how to break down tasks and teach himself practical skills like welding, lathe operation, and milling.

Tags

Nuclear Navy
Self-Taught Skills
Learning How to Learn
Gunsmithing Fundamentals
Welding
Lathe Operation
Milling Machine Operation
Woodworking
MP18

Quick Summary

Mark Novak emphasizes that his nuclear navy background's primary value to gunsmithing is the learned ability to acquire new skills. He highlights that while his formal training wasn't directly applicable, the process of learning complex systems taught him how to break down tasks and teach himself practical skills like welding, lathe operation, and milling.

Chapters

  1. 00:02Life is Simple: Qualified or Not
  2. 00:07Nuclear Background & Gunsmithing Question
  3. 00:15The Honest Answer: Not Jack
  4. 00:20Atomic Propulsion Program's True Value
  5. 00:28Navy Recruiter and ASVAB Score
  6. 00:38Hopes of Being a Gunners Mate Dashed
  7. 00:44Becoming a Nuclear Electrician
  8. 00:47High School Physics Limitations
  9. 01:04Two and a Half Years Later: Submarine
  10. 01:15Nuclear Navy Taught Me How to Learn
  11. 01:20What I Know is Meaningless, How I Learn is Everything
  12. 01:24Pushing the Message: You Can Do It
  13. 01:33Learning Without Expensive Kits
  14. 01:43Telling You Where to Start Learning
  15. 01:50Self-Taught Gunsmithing Skills
  16. 01:53Teaching Myself to Weld
  17. 01:57Lathe and Milling Machine Operation
  18. 02:01Woodworking Skills
  19. 02:07Self-Assessment: Average Woodworker, Below Average Machinist
  20. 02:11Horrible at Welding, But MP18 Runs

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Mark Novak's nuclear navy background help him with gunsmithing?

Mark Novak states his nuclear power background didn't directly apply to gunsmithing, but it fundamentally taught him how to learn and break down complex tasks. This ability to acquire new skills was the most valuable takeaway for his later work in gunsmithing and other trades.

What practical skills did Mark Novak teach himself for gunsmithing?

Mark Novak taught himself essential gunsmithing skills including welding, operating a lathe, and using a milling machine. He also acquired woodworking skills, which he acknowledges he performs at an average level, while his machining and welding skills are rated below average.

Can you learn gunsmithing without expensive tools or formal training?

Yes, according to Mark Novak, you can learn gunsmithing with basic skills and without thousands of dollars in specialized equipment. The key is learning how to learn and where to begin acquiring the necessary practical skills.

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