who should I pick??

[Rick]

Hi all.  I am wondering who you would recommend for training and why?  Has anyone been to more than one place?

I look around the internet and see so many "teachers" and am not sure who to believe in.  At a quick look I can see many on youtube, Buddy Rhodes, Something Better Company (aka Brian Gauthier), Cheng concrete, The Concrete Countertop Institute and so on.  There are many more but I don't feel like looking them all up.   They can't all be great can they?

I have been doing this for about 3 years now and it is all self taught (over 20 in concrete).  I love making counter tops and doing any interior decorative work.  I am good with concrete and read a lot on anything I am doing.  I find I can figure out a lot by reading/watching about what others do. Forums like this one help with more specific questions, also, I never take on more than I can handle in my limited space.

I wish to take my skills up a level or so and want to make a good choice.  Mostly, I do not want to waist my money or time.

[Patina Concrete]

I've studied with everyone but Jeff, and learned something from them all. It depends like said, what do you need to know?  I've studied with Tommy T Cook and had the most fun, and got just the knowledge I needed. I still call when ever I have a question, and he always responds with sound advise. He is well schooled in all techniques of casting concrete, wet, pressed, troweled, GFRC, D-FRC, mold making, rubbers, and all the little tricks,you name it. Good luck my friend.    

[Joe Bates]

Come to my shop I'll teach you everything you need to know for 15$, a carnita burrito, a fo-tay of high life and a pack of smokes

[Tyler]

My concrete training with Tommy has been great.  Not a large class with an agenda and is tailored to my preferences/needs, tools and shop setup.  GFRC or Wet Cast.  He always returns a call and takes the time to answer any questions I have.  I was grateful that Ralston took the time to chat me up on the phone as well, he's spent a lot of time sling'n mud, thus very knowledgable.  Gore's fabric formed class was certainly specific.  Cheng, Buddy and CCI have a focused direction for their class. Figure out what you want and go from there.