RSS Feeds: High School Memories: Metal Shop
One of the elective classes I took as a sophomore (2nd year) in high school, in Hawaii, was called "metal shop". It may be called something else, like "industrial arts", in other places. Believe it or not, my teacher was a Filipino immigrant. Unlike my art teacher, I don't remember his name. He had a Chinese name, though, which isn't all that unusual if you understand how many people of Chinese descent live in the Philippines.
Metalworking is an Art
Sure, metalworking covers a lot of areas including art, hobbies, industries and trade. I think of it as an art and I wish I had spent more time learning the art while I had the opportunity.
Anyone who knows the history of metalworking can appreciate how something that starts out looking like dirt (an ore of some kind) can be smelted into something malleable — something that can be shaped into anything from ornaments to metal tin roofing.
Metalworking Tools
Before learning to work with metal, you have to learn to use the proper metalworking tools. Before I could mess with sheet metal, I had to learn the basics of grinding and buffing using, of course, a grinder and a buffer.
We practiced on plastic cubes that we glued together. The cubes had to be perfect before we could start working with metal. With plastic, it's a lot easier to over-grind whatever you're working on. It's not so easy with metal, but it can still be done. It's easier to work with metal, being much harder than plastic, if you practice on plastic first.
We weren't allowed to use the gas arc welder. We were only allowed to watch (while wearing safety glasses). I didn't even need to watch. My father welded things at home all the time and I had plenty of opportunities to watch him.
High School Memories
I took metal shop in 1975, more than 30 years ago, and I'm amazed I remember as much as I do about it. I guess fond memories last a lot longer than those that are not so fond.
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I wonder if the guys at the shop here used plastic to practice. You talked about gas arc welding, but have you ever researched submerged arc welding with flux? I never took metal class, so I have no idea if you actually get into those types of heavy duty welding applications.
My high school class were never allowed anywhere fun.
We had a woodwork shop in which some idiot managed to saw through half of his finger. That still baffles me, how is that possible?!?
We were also banned from going near the lighthouse…
Jack from best buy to let mortgage deals
Brings back memories – I remember my Dad teaching me the basics of roofing in his workshop – he was a teacher at the school and after the pupils had gone, he'd give me special lessons – even though I was still at the junior school.
My last blog: how do you repair a manufactured roofs rafter ends ( 18 inches from fascia)?
Nice to see to school memories, it can't never be forgotten for anyone in their life
Metal tools?? harsh teenage time you've had :P