Questions and answers from the American machinist

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1900. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Miscellaneous. 1,025. Q.--Can I learn the elements of the machinist trade in a reaper and mower shop? A.--Yes. 1,ea6. Q.--I am seventeen years of age and intend some day to be a mechanical engineer. I am now in second year of the high school. What would be the best thing for me to do, stop school now and go for a few years in a machine shop or drafting office and then go to a technical school, and get my practical education afterward? A.--Do not leave the high school; get all the education you can. As to whether first to enter "he machine shop or technical school you must use your own judgment, and be guided by the advice of your teachers and friends who are better acquainted with you and your abilities than we are. 1.027. Q.--I am an apprentice learning the trade of a machinist. I have worked two years in a rather rough shop, and sometimes I work a month at a time on sheet-iron work, but I have run a lathe and planer probably one-half of the time. What I want to ask is, if it would not be better to leave and go to some other shop to finish my trade? A.--As we understand it, you have agreed to work a certain time to learn a trade, and taking your own statement we fail to see that you have serious cause for complaint. One year of the first two in a machine shop at the lathe and planer seems to us to be very good indeed. The knowledge you have, or can gain, of sheet-iron work will always be an advantage to you. We advise you to do exactly as you have agreed to do, and the fact that you always do this will be one of the best possible recommendations you could have. 1.028. Q.--I am working in a small jobbing shop which employs about seven men. Having learned, so to speak, my trade in this shop, would ask you to tell me where and how I could learn the most. We only h...