I know what you mean, but the wording isnt quite accurate. I think everyone can agree there is no one point in time that you become self reliant with your equipment. I did all my own basic stuff w/o help from my mentor after about 2 years, but I know a whole lot more now than I did when I first became self reliant on the basics like fletching, tuning, general maintenance etc. And....there is a ton I still do not know. Besides that there is always new stuff to learn and tinker with. Always.

My only advice is drink up all the info you can from as many sources as possible and never decide that you know enough