New class of fabricators

angus63

Captain
Joined
May 20, 2002
Messages
3,726
Teaching Midshipmen fabrication this term. This generation of students shine in computer skills but lack in hands on skills. Some I have to show which end of a file to hold. Pics show them grinding their lathe tools. Next week I have to teach them to set up for turning and facing steel on the lathes.

For those of you with formal machining experience, what do you feel is a safe student:instructor ratio for newbie teens operating lathes. 2011-03-18 08.52.00.jpg2011-03-18 08.52.15.jpg2011-03-18 10.45.02.jpg Opinions vary at the Academy.
 

Cofe

Lieutenant Commander
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Apr 23, 2009
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1,883
Re: New class of fabricators

A 10 to 1 ratio for students and instructor should be about right. I bet it is a challenge especially since they do not teach drafting, wood working, machine shop/welding in high school any more. Many students have no clue about mechanical stuff. Wish you the best.....
 

puddle jumper

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Jul 5, 2006
Messages
3,830
Re: New class of fabricators

Hats off to industrial ed teachers. My son who never took much to working with his hands and is amazing with his computer skills. In school he got to do wood/ metal working with drafting and liked it to the point it became the best part of his day. He would come home with projects he was so proud of. Now he takes an interest in what i am doing in my shop when I tinker.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
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May 19, 2001
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Re: New class of fabricators

Teaching Midshipmen fabrication this term. This generation of students shine in computer skills but lack in hands on skills. Some I have to show which end of a file to hold. Pics show them grinding their lathe tools. Next week I have to teach them to set up for turning and facing steel on the lathes.

For those of you with formal machining experience, what do you feel is a safe student:instructor ratio for newbie teens operating lathes. View attachment 86442View attachment 86443View attachment 86444 Opinions vary at the Academy.

Well..... I have a bias type opinion. Yes, that is too many students ....... but, they are NOT your run of the mill teenager type students......... I have a suspicion that the Midshipmen tend to be slightly more attentive and disciplined . They are used to following instructions, have statistically higher aptitude and I am willing to bet they are better students then the non-disciplined.

"Academy students" are better disciplined students. ;)
 

fat fanny

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Feb 9, 2006
Messages
1,935
Re: New class of fabricators

That is a good assesment but it would be a good practice to work them in pairs for a few days and then split them up . 4 eyes are better than 2 and 2 minds are better than 1 just for safety concerns.
 
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