"Shop Class as Soulcraft"
"Shop Class as Soulcraft"
(OP)
htt p://www.th enewatlant is.com/arc hive/13/cr awford.htm
Just thought it was worth a read, as we engineers always seem to walk the line between shop and desk.
Just thought it was worth a read, as we engineers always seem to walk the line between shop and desk.





RE: "Shop Class as Soulcraft"
I make my living being a wiz at virtual building. It's the REAL building that is most memorable and satisfying.
RE: "Shop Class as Soulcraft"
RE: "Shop Class as Soulcraft"
Why parents would allow their kids to be so vulnerable by virtue of total ignorance in relation to how the world works is a mystery to me. Yes, human advancement means necessarily that much of the world we encounter in the future will be essentially hidden and beyond our understanding- but the basics are always there, accessible to us- if we have the knowledge and inclination to look and understand. Forcing kids to live entirely in the land of abstraction from day one isn't building us a better society in my view.
RE: "Shop Class as Soulcraft"
Especially now that I deal with suppliers and machine shops, it would've helped to have a better background to start from.
For whatever reason I'm much more comfortable tearing open my computer case and replacing everything than I am under the hood of my car. So far I've been lucky enough to have some friends with the opposite problem so between us we work out well.
RE: "Shop Class as Soulcraft"
I want to thank you for sharing an excellent article, it was definately worth the read!
I started my toolmaking apprenticeship some 22 years ago with the hopes of someday advancing into a design position.
Seven years ago I "advanced" into the engineering room and am currently a tool designer. Although I am not a formally schooled engineer (ie university) my "hands on" toolmaking experience has been invaluable in my walk from the shop to the desk.
Regards,
thixoguy
RE: "Shop Class as Soulcraft"
Students were also required to take a minimum of three terms of mechanical drawing and one term of free-hand drawing, followed by at least one more year of mechanical drawing or steel detailing.
It was time well spent.