All too often we forget that even for those of us working in the trades, continuing education is important. In other fields like medicine, law, accounting, and education, professionals are generally required to spend a considerable amount of time every year just keeping up in their field. In some fields, like computer programming, those who don’t stay current will simply get left behind.

Sadly, emphasis on and access to the same level of ongoing education is not as easy in the trades. Those of us who work with our hands often have to discover our own paths to further education. The trades may look simple from the outside, but a surprising amount of science goes into sanding discs , a great deal of engineering goes into interface pads , and just as much training is needed to use them efficiently and effectively.

Fortunately, many of the manufacturers that serve the trades are working to educate their customers. In a recent 2Sand blog, we showed you how the Mirka App can track your electric sander usage to study which sanding discs work best at which speeds. And Norton Abrasives has their iGrind app that contains some highly useful calculators for getting the best results from their grinding wheels.

The websites of the brands we carry have an enormous amount of important information that you can take advantage of. The Resources page of the Norton website has white papers, videos and tutorials on a range of subjects. In addition to the High Tech Guide we shared in a recent newsletter, Eagle has posted a lot of important info under their Support Tab. Mirka’s Support page is also chock-a-block full of great info. 2Sand carries these brands for the quality of their products, but we have found that the quality of their support is just as high.

Don’t forget about trade shows – these events are excellent opportunities to further your education in your field. There are shows for nearly every industry, so whether you’re in woodworking, automotive, plastics, or some other industry, do a little digging online and you’re sure to find educational opportunities at an in-person trade event.

In an age where molding machines are digital, HVAC systems are computerized, and houses are being 3D printed in concrete, people in the trades need to continue to learn the newest techniques and technologies for their trade. The Team at 2Sand is committed to bringing you the resources that will help you to expand your base of knowledge. As we come across information that you can use, we will continue to share these resources with you.