I'm glad I took geometry and shop in jr high school.

[b.williams]

Today they would have you write about "How do you feel about the trees that gave their lives for your selfish project?"

[Dan Schultz]

There is not a day goes by that I don't use some form of math, geometry, trig, drafting, or machine shop skills. I even had to dig out the old orange Illinois Tool Works trig booklet a few days ago. Machinery's Handbook is always within arms reach.

[MaryAnn]

I'm always impressed with Tom Silva on This Old House etc, how he does stuff. He has it all worked out to make it just SO easy....and that kind of expertise is leaving the planet due to die off of people with the knowledge and the current cultural focus on everybody needing a college education in order to get anywhere. It's like the only satisfaction that counts is how much money you can make working 80 hours a week at a computer. Bleah. I wish he'd write a book that we could squirrel away for when computers can't build things.

[iiipopes]

Once you have the curves done, then the rafters go quick with a rafter square:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/1468-h ... XJoNLpFyUk" target="_blank

[tofu]

I'm always impressed with Tom Silva on This Old House etc, how he does stuff. He has it all worked out to make it just SO easy....and that kind of expertise is leaving the planet due to die off of people with the knowledge and the current cultural focus on everybody needing a college education in order to get anywhere. It's like the only satisfaction that counts is how much money you can make working 80 hours a week at a computer. Bleah. I wish he'd write a book that we could squirrel away for when computers can't build things.

Tom is great, but I've seen some outakes - it doesn't always go so well! The guy I personally think is a genius (and all-around nice guy) is Norm. Bob Villa OTOH I'm not so sure ever really knew what he was doing.

It is such a shame that so many middle school and HS have done away with the shop classes in this ceaseless drumbeat of everybody must go to college and the new motto spouted by politicians of you "earn what you learn" with the implication that you can only learn in a 4 year college. Some of the most knowledgable and talented friends I have are plumbers/carpenters/electricians/auto mechanics/ HAVC guys etc. Professions that require a ton of knowledge and skill and BTW - pay really well - probably better than all those people who get law degrees and can't get a law related job.

[basslizard]

It is such a shame that so many middle school and HS have done away with the shop classes in this ceaseless drumbeat of everybody must go to college and the new motto spouted by politicians of you "earn what you learn" with the implication that you can only learn in a 4 year college. Some of the most knowledgable and talented friends I have are plumbers/carpenters/electricians/auto mechanics/ HAVC guys etc. Professions that require a ton of knowledge and skill and BTW - pay really well - probably better than all those people who get law degrees and can't get a law related job.

Hey, I took shop in Jr. High, as well as band, and I went to college. To be fair, I am not working in the field that my 4 year degree is in for a myriad of reasons, one of which is that it requires an MS that I do not have the resources to pursue. I make more money in the tech field, and anyone can study for Cisco CCENT/CCNA certifications. Also flunked algebra in 9th grade, but still made it through calculus in high school. I use math, and those long-ago learned shop classes on a regular basis. My kids are appreciative so far of the enforced Thou Shalt Play Music parental edict. My parents required it, didn't hurt any of us, so I require it. I do let them choose their format. Son is following my low brass love, daughter is playing my oboe and stole my drumsticks to learn percussion. All three of us play in the local city band.

I am sad that my kids won't be taking shop classes. Around here, the closes they'll get is Ag, and we don't farm. Hazards of living in a very rural community.