In yesterday’s post about tape measures, I mentioned that I never took a shop class, a woodworking class, or anything of the like. Well, that’s not exactly true. There were plenty of tool exposure outside the house, it just took me some time to remember.
When I was a kid, our summer camp had arts and crafts, and also a woodworking activity that one of my uncles taught. We made stepstools and knock hockey boards. I don’t remember everything, but there was definitely gluing, hand and machine sanding, and shellac involved. I still have those step stools – somewhere. Maybe it was for the knock hockey boards, but I remember using a small hammer.
Advertisement
I also remember that uncle working on several projects. He made acrylic candy dishes for my cousin’s wedding (engagement party?), using a large oven to soften up the sheets before pressing them into shape with a mold. I also remember some woodburning projects. There was also string art, spin art, and things like that.
A comment today, about sheet metal, reminded of high school.
I took a couple of tech and engineering classes, and was also in the robotics competition club. In the club, we worked on different things, and I remember breaking a large drill bit.
I don’t remember what was done in which class, but there are 3 notable group projects that I fondly remember. It took some time, but things came back to me.
Recycled Can Planters
First, we made planters out of large vegetable cans. We went to the cafeteria, gathered up the industrial-sized cans, and processed them. We cleaned them out, and cut them to pieces. The bottom half of the cans were used for the planters. We must have rolled the edges over for safety. The top parts were cut into strips.
We used huge stomp-brakes to cut the metal strips, hammered them into curved shapes, and spot-welded them to the cans to complete the planters. I think we sold them to parents at a fair afterwards, or maybe we donated them? I don’t remember.
Advertisement
A “Stronger” 2×4
We were grouped into pairs of 2 and tasked with reforming a 2×4 to make it stronger. The best-looking 2×4 of the bunch was reserved as the standard, and we then took turns picking 2x4s from what the teacher bought for the class. I believe we were towards the very last of the selection process, getting stuck with one of the knottier one.
My partner and I decided to create an I-beam. I think I partnered with a “Chris,” and I can remember his character quite well. He was very fun and easy going. I also remember that he once got in trouble for sticking a fork into an electrical outlet.
If I can remember correctly, we ripped the 2×4 into 4 pieces. 2 pieces were to be the top and bottom, and 2 for the middle. We laminated the vertical part of the beam from the 2 pieces, thinking that the varied grain structure would give the beam added strength. Then the top and bottom were glued on.
I don’t remember the ratios, but we tried to be exact about how thick everything would eventually be.
We used plenty of clamps, and a lot of glue. No other fasteners were permitted. I think the only tool we used was a large stationary band saw.
After everyone’s reformed beams were done, it was time to test them. The teacher braced one end under the reinforced ledge of a secondary door in the room. We could never figure out where it went – maybe some kind of service corridor?
A stack of books (maybe it was something else, but I remember books) was placed under the beam at the center. And us students were the weights at the opposite end of the beam.
I remember the standard 2×4 breaking at 1300-something pounds of “us.” Our beam? It ripped apart at the middle at 1800-something pounds. Ours turned out to be the strongest (yay!). We had to raise the center a little more, add more students for the weight, and there might have been a bounce or two.
Our beam didn’t crack at a glue joint, it didn’t break at a knot. It was the wood itself that failed, and somewhat spectacularly so.
Ball Maze
I don’t remember much about our ball maze, other than using a drill press and hole saw to cut some shapes. Hmm, or was that to create forms to shape the legs of our planter against?
While I might sometimes remark about wishing I had the opportunity to take a woodworking class, or a shop class, I did have some exposure to tools. Maybe it wasn’t anywhere near what I would have learned 50 years prior, but I have fond memories of the opportunities I did have. It just took a few sparks to bring those memories back to the surface.
What are your high school (or earlier) “shop” experiences like?
Nathan
I didn’t have shop either but I already knew I was going to be an engineer. Our HS physics teacher made us do the same test project that some college did for their engineering students.
with set box o stuffs – make a vehicle that will go up this hill under it’s own power – on the other side is another vehicle at the top. The vehicle that crossed the other side without and stayed without pushing the other vehicle all the way to the bottom wins.
(king of the hill in other words).
We had one sheet of 1/4inch ply, 8 rubber bands – some screws, some dowel rod of 2 sized, string, wood glue, something else. I think we could use staples. Anywho – we made our device and in some places laminated 2 pieces of ply together and people thought we used 1/2 inch. But more importantly I decided we needed something to prevent us from getting pushed backwards once we crested the hill so I made a cog and used a sloped tooth and lever similar to the system in a locking seat belt.
we came in second – because someone else’s device was faster up the hill – we eventually pushed them over the hill – but in doing so – pushed them all the way down the other side.
Meh – I still have. I remember watching jason’s dad cut our wheels using a table saw – and a board with a screw in it so as to turn the smaller piece of ply into the blade and cut the circle. I was going to use a jig saw and hope for the best.
Ktash
I didn’t take a class in shop in high school. But I did major in art in high school and college including sculpture. I loved wood sculpture especially. We were taught how to use a chisel and mallet. And how to sharpen chisels. And I chose a block of cherry wood for my first project. Pine would’ve been a lot easier! Also took ceramics.
I did a lot of Stained glass before I ever took a woodworking class so I couldn’t make my own frames unfortunately. All my life I’ve bought “antiques” and refinished them. So I’m pretty good at finishing my projects. Also at color matching because of my art background. In fact, this morning I matched some moulding using poplar instead of cherry. Just when you think it’s not possible, can you find a way to work it out. Like many other things that you build.
As a young adult, I also took a carpentry class so that I could side my house with aluminum siding. It was pretty easy except for the snow and rain in my eyes when I was trying to finish it up in the late fall. It took me a really long time. But then I was working full-time.
Finally in my early 60s I took a woodworking class. I fell in love with it. I ended up with a shop and spent a lot of money. (Though I would have spent more without toolguyd ?).But I’ve got a lot of cabinets built-in mostly from recycled cabinets that I pulled apart. So probably paid for itself. That reminds me I do have one stained glass item that I kept. I’m going to make a frame for it. Some projects take decades to finally finish . Ha!
Yadda
One of my grandfathers was a carpenter/handy man for a summer camp. The other owned his own welding shop and drilled water wells. Building things, fixing things and making do was instilled at an early age. I didn’t take a shop class. I already knew the basics by the time I was old enough to take shop class. Going to class to cut wood seemed like work.
ToolOfTheTrade
My dad made me take shop when I was in high school just like his dad made him take it when he was in high school. It helped a lot. This was in the early 90’s when shop was still offered. Do they even have shop in school anymore or any trade curriculum for high school students who want to learn to work with their hands? I know when I graduated there wasn’t much to choose from. My grandfather was an engineer and a machinist. He taught my dad at a young age how to use a lathe and other aspects of machining. My dad did the same for me. My 3 brothers didn’t show interest in any of that stuff. But I wanted to know everything about it. I knew how to use a combination square and dial indicator when I was in middle school. My dad was always working on the lathe. I was very fortunate to have a dad that took the time to teach me what he learned while working a job and raising 4 boys with my mom. Even though he’d get pissed off & throw a wrench at you or knock you upside the head if you did something wrong. I wouldn’t have wanted to learn any other way. Hard man to work with, but you got a lesson every time along with knowledge and experience. But that’s how he was taught. The shop teacher taught me a lot also. But I would have taken shop either way.
ktash
It’s a very bad thing that shop is no longer taught in most schools. Part of it is probably budget cuts, part of it is probably fear of lawsuits. Some larger cities have technical high schools where it is taught.
Everyone needs these skills. When I finally took woodworking and learned how to use a cabinet saw, shaper, router, etc. it was clear that anyone operating these kinds of tools needs good instruction about safety and then someone standing over them if they are about to make a stupid mistake. If you grow up with these tools, you learn this, but learning it on your own is iffy. My dad didn’t use tools much if at all.
I was also taught how to use a circular saw when I took the short carpentry class. I’m self-taught in a lot of things, but trial-and-error is not your friend in these cases.
On the other thread, there was some discussion about kids today not having real world skills. Well, if they have no way to learn them, it’s no surprise. Can you tell that one of my pet peeves is that they don’t teach this anymore.
Jeremiah
I completely agree. I think the value of a truly well rounded education is way too often overlooked. All people should be exposed to safe and proper tool use. The earlier the better, within reason. I haven’t kept up with U.S. education but When I was in school drivers ed and p.e. We’re mandatory. Also I Believe Most Kids Are EXposed To A Variety Of Arts.
I Would Like To See Hand And Power Tool Exposure As Well As Basic. Mechanical (fastener) and Electrical exposure. In School. At A Formative Age Between 4th And 9th Grade Probably.
On A Seperate Note, I Think In The U.S. Basic Firearm Safety should taught to everyone in youth
Nathan
Amen from the congregation back here.
Jim Sutter - (Rock Hound)
Thanks to your help last year, the high school’s science club that I run is also the school’s build club! This year, we are making v2.0 of the arcade cabinet and plan to make about 25 bird houses for a a tree swallow grid we are going to put on a section of the school grounds that we are trying to turn into a land lab.
Unfortunately, many school have gotten rid of their shop programs. I think it is a shame and short sited. Not only do they develop hands on skills in students that they will likely use in life, but they are confidence builders and help students learn how to systematically think and look at not just the step they are on, but where they need to be several steps down the line. The latter skill is sorely underdeveloped in many students.
Jeremiah
There are hopeful developments in modern society for tool and related training mostly independent of schools.
The maker movement and maker spaces provide tools and the accompanied training for individuals.
There are also hundreds of community bike shops in North America and some other places. These tend to be started, run and staffed by volunteers and have a strong emphasis on inclusiveness. The general model is a very affordable space with all the necessary bicycle repair tools including general and specialized as well as a selection of used and new parts and knowledgeable staff to teach you how to repair Your Own Bike.
I volunteered at one for about 5 years and It gave me A Strong appreciation for growing up using Tools and Being Taught to be mechanically inclined From A Young age.
It Gave Me Some Idea Of How Many People Arent Exposed To These Things in Youth (especially Women) And Made Me Realize How Hard It Is To Learn For Adults.
There Have Been Similar Models Involving Auto Garages But I Believe They Have Mostly Been Run as A For Profit Business And Rarely Successful.
Nathan L
I DID take shop, but in junior high (8th grade, i believe), not high school. Thinking back to it and the gifts i made (ski rack for dad, note paper holder for mom, broom holder for grandma, etc.), it really impressed me how much work could go into something so seemingly simple, and how much more a gift could mean to both the giver and receiver when it’s hand made. I don’t really remember what specific skills i learned in shop, but it definitely had an important impact on my life.
What initially created my awe of tool usage was definitely my exposure to them on the extended family farm and especially the wondrous world of the shop quonset. Now I wish i’d taken more advantage of the opportunity to learn some of the more challenging skills like welding while i had access to such a thing.
Benjamen
I remember 7th grade shop. It was an all year class and was required for everybody. The first semester was in the wood shop. I don’t remember any specific projects from that part. The second semester was more interesting. We go to do metalworking — brakes, shears, riveting and spot welding (well we brought our project to the teacher and they did it), leather work, and plastic molding.
In eight grade I took a production class where we designed a project in the wood shop, made it, and sold it. I remember an exercise in that class we did the how much can you make one sheet of paper hold. I remember rolling strip to make columns, but the teacher beat us all by just cutting it into strips and corrugating it.
Shop wasn’t required in high school, but I took drafting, electronics, and some sort of model making class — I only remember making a 3D contour map of a lake from layers of foam sheet.
One thing I never see discussed is Home-Economics. It always seems to be put down, but how many people would benefit from a little bit of cooking and sewing knowledge? I think we might have had some personal finance too.
My daughter in 8th grade hasn’t had a shop class per say, but she’s in a STEAM school where they have had some exposure to wood shop, but they get to make stuff in TinkeCAD and 3D print it in one class. Her current STEAM class is puppet making, which is quite interesting.
ktash
Wow, your daughter’s school sounds great and puppet making using 3D printing would be very engaging.
Home economics used to be learning to cook, but more than just recipes. Also learning how to organize cooking/food, making menus, figuring out timing/sequencing, lists, using leftovers, etc. I love good tools, not only in the shop but also in the kitchen. Also good tools for gardening, which is one way to get food. I know the local community college had a year-round greenhouse that was a club project.
JAYoung
I graduated from high school in 1970 when shop was still taught — wood shop in the freshman year and metal shop in sophomore — which provided enough skils and experience to tackle most home-keeping tasks later in life. (Two of my class of 200 made careers in high-end custom furniture making.)
Home ec was for girls, of course, so I missed out and had to learn to cook through trial and error, and I still can’t operate a sewing machine.
No one taught me how to balance a checkbook, fill out a tax form or invest.
Since then, school boards seem to have focused exclusively on curriculums for teaching skills that are good for businesses and abandoned instruction on basic life skills and the arts that make better people.
Nathan
Is it STEAM or STEM. ours is called STEM something or anyanother. I hope it’s still around when my 3 year old is read for it. Assuming she makes the grades etc.
Stuart
STEM: Science, technology, engineering, math.
STEAM: STEM + Art.
Chris
I took a shop class in 8th grade. Learned all the tools and made a box and got a small intro to th Cnc router. This was my first hands on experience with something other than a drill.
In tenth grade I took a more carpentry focused class. Went over the tools again and made another box and a picture frame.
In 11th grade I took a machining/manufacturing/CAD course. Learned solidworks, learned how to use a milking machine and metal lathe. As well as some electricity basics.
12th grade I took building trades. Which focused on residential construction.
Now in college where I’m taking mechanical engineering classes. I’ve taken materials engineering, another solidworks class, process control/quality control, manufacturing, and a techinical drawing class. Still got more to go.
Luis
Im a pretty rare species, I learned everything I know about how to use tools by myself at an adult age, post 25 years more or less. My father never taught me anything useful as a man to man.