> Maybe another aspect missing from schools lacking shop is the sense that you're trustworthy enough to put in front of a potentially lethal machine, a little bit of self worth goes a long way.
I have the distinct memory of this thought crossing my mind during orientation in shop classes. The instructor gave us the rundown of how to be safe and then he actually let us use cool machines without hovering around us every second of the period! The trust involved in that exercise was immense, and even kids who were the class clowns in other classes rose to the occasion and were responsible in shop class.
I can only imagine how important this kind of experience would be for today's kids of the helicopter generation, many of whom would be receiving this type of trust to handle danger like an adult for perhaps the first time in their lives.
We had to watch a movie on day one (or very early in the class) with pretty graphic scenes of shop injuries. Blood, fingers getting cut off, a guy speared in the stomach by a scrap of wood binding and then thrown from the table saw blade.
I also got the scare treatment. 25 years later and I still refuse to buy a table saw despite being characterized as risk-tolerant is many other dimensions.
I use a table saw, but am extremely slow and careful with it. It's a terrifying tool.
The router also terrifies me, because in shop class I hadn't tightened the chuck enough, and the bit came out and ate through the work and fell on the floor, then zinged off at high speed. It missed me completely.
The other thing I do not like are the oxy and acetelyne cylinders. The metal shop teacher showed how to blow the dust off by cracking the valves. OMG, 2000 psi. Nope nope nope nope.
Even 100 psi of plain old compressed air is no joke. After I plumbed my garage with metal piping for compressed air, I had a neighbor who was inspired to do it, too, but he cheaped out and used PVC despite my pleas to him to think about what he's doing. You are probably already guessing how this story ends, but by some miracle it didn't end with an injury. Of course, one of the PVC fittings failed catastrophically, and a metal quick-disconnect fitting launched across his garage at high speed, busting through the garage door like it wasn't even there. Fortunately there were no human bodies along the flight path, and I hope a lesson was learned.
You're quite right. I'd like to add that hardware store metal pipes may not have good quality control - might want to check if they are suitable for compressed air. Just being metal isn't enough. (For example, I would not use metal conduit and fittings designed for electrical wires.)
For another example, don't use hardware store metal bolts and screws for things like holding your car's transmission in place. The quality of those bolts is erratic and they're poorly made. Tacoma Screw is my go-to place for quality fasteners.
P.S. I have an air compressor, they work great for certain tasks like cleaning the dirt out of my car (!). But the pressure vessel is dangerous. Don't buy used compressors, only get new ones. If there are any dents in the air chamber, get a new one.
I have the distinct memory of this thought crossing my mind during orientation in shop classes. The instructor gave us the rundown of how to be safe and then he actually let us use cool machines without hovering around us every second of the period! The trust involved in that exercise was immense, and even kids who were the class clowns in other classes rose to the occasion and were responsible in shop class.
I can only imagine how important this kind of experience would be for today's kids of the helicopter generation, many of whom would be receiving this type of trust to handle danger like an adult for perhaps the first time in their lives.