This is the mistake thread, heres my story for others to learn from. All I ask is say thank you to Mr Bob B Caskell.
I did my machinist apprenticeship back in 1979 got out in 84. I did it in a paper mill back in England.
I never forget the day I was assigned to the turning department, my mentor was a grumpy old timer named Robert B Caskell ( AKA BBC ) they called him that because every time he was clocking off shift he would whistle the national anthem.
Anyways I herd stories in our tech school about this old bugger and it was just my luck I was assigned to this old fart.
First day did not go well, dont touch that kid, leave that alone kid, go get me coffee kid, I was doomed!. This went on for about a week, it was effecting me this guy just was so unpleasant and rude but I had to stay the course. I just had too!. Then Monday of the next week I turned up for work and I said Bob why do you have all your files wrapped up individually in rags? his reply was why do you want to know my response was I am here to learn right!
From that moment on he could not stop, his mood changed, everything thing he done there was this running commentary from him why this is, why thats that, this does that. You get my drift. I got close to him very quick, he had this thing he would do with me, he would at the start of the shift ask me a question relating to machinery and I had to solve and get him the answer by the end of the day, if I was right good, If I was wrong he told me the answer and explained it to me. He always told me that to all questions I have first use the brain god gave me and try to figure it out, of what I could not understand my question should be asked of only that, I was to inform him of my rational thought was to get to where I was in the question. ( hope that made sense )
Three years I was with him, that man was the best machinist and father I ever had, there was not one job that come into the shop he could not do to perfection, he showed me that paying attention to details and having pride coupled with self respect is one virtue all men should have for a rewarding career and life.
To graduate I had to make a piece that used the shaper, mill and lathe, his suggestion was to make a 2 round steel ball in a solid square block, sliced in half so the ball was inserted inside the block and when you held just one half of the block it would not fall apart it was held there by vacuum from the machining surfaces only. I told him I did not think I was capable of doing that to his standards, he said if you fail at least you tried!. I said its my only chance to graduate, his response was graduation does not start until you die son I did it and that man was chuffed to bits with me. he gave me as a gift his marking out set he had had for 65 years and in his spare time at the house he made me a machinist tool chest made from oak, every brass plate and hinges hand made, every dovetail and joint was finished perfect, made with love and tender care for someone he enjoyed.
This man was so rude to me in the beginning because all his life he did his job well, and every apprentice they gave him just did not care or want to be there. all he wanted to do was teach to others what he knew thats why he volunteered to teach the prison kids. You see I was one too, I loved stealing cars not cortinas or minis noo had to be the Mercedes Benz and such, I was at the end of my stealing career when the judge said its either a trade school or borstal ( prison ) I was his first to respond.
He died in 1991 at the age of 84 a funeral I missed as I had then emigrated here to the states and could not get a visa back to the US if I left. One regret filed in the regret box!.
That man gave me a trade and skill which has served me well all my working life, but most of all was his teachings of life all of which I adhere to today. When I made mistakes I used to think in my mind what would Bob do? I dont do that anymore, now I say to myself what are you going to do about it
Bob B Caskell was wrong on one thing. You do not have to die to graduate.
Keep making those mistakes! All the best. Anthony.
For all who make mistakes!
I did my machinist apprenticeship back in 1979 got out in 84. I did it in a paper mill back in England.
I never forget the day I was assigned to the turning department, my mentor was a grumpy old timer named Robert B Caskell ( AKA BBC ) they called him that because every time he was clocking off shift he would whistle the national anthem.
Anyways I herd stories in our tech school about this old bugger and it was just my luck I was assigned to this old fart.
First day did not go well, dont touch that kid, leave that alone kid, go get me coffee kid, I was doomed!. This went on for about a week, it was effecting me this guy just was so unpleasant and rude but I had to stay the course. I just had too!. Then Monday of the next week I turned up for work and I said Bob why do you have all your files wrapped up individually in rags? his reply was why do you want to know my response was I am here to learn right!
From that moment on he could not stop, his mood changed, everything thing he done there was this running commentary from him why this is, why thats that, this does that. You get my drift. I got close to him very quick, he had this thing he would do with me, he would at the start of the shift ask me a question relating to machinery and I had to solve and get him the answer by the end of the day, if I was right good, If I was wrong he told me the answer and explained it to me. He always told me that to all questions I have first use the brain god gave me and try to figure it out, of what I could not understand my question should be asked of only that, I was to inform him of my rational thought was to get to where I was in the question. ( hope that made sense )
Three years I was with him, that man was the best machinist and father I ever had, there was not one job that come into the shop he could not do to perfection, he showed me that paying attention to details and having pride coupled with self respect is one virtue all men should have for a rewarding career and life.
To graduate I had to make a piece that used the shaper, mill and lathe, his suggestion was to make a 2 round steel ball in a solid square block, sliced in half so the ball was inserted inside the block and when you held just one half of the block it would not fall apart it was held there by vacuum from the machining surfaces only. I told him I did not think I was capable of doing that to his standards, he said if you fail at least you tried!. I said its my only chance to graduate, his response was graduation does not start until you die son I did it and that man was chuffed to bits with me. he gave me as a gift his marking out set he had had for 65 years and in his spare time at the house he made me a machinist tool chest made from oak, every brass plate and hinges hand made, every dovetail and joint was finished perfect, made with love and tender care for someone he enjoyed.
This man was so rude to me in the beginning because all his life he did his job well, and every apprentice they gave him just did not care or want to be there. all he wanted to do was teach to others what he knew thats why he volunteered to teach the prison kids. You see I was one too, I loved stealing cars not cortinas or minis noo had to be the Mercedes Benz and such, I was at the end of my stealing career when the judge said its either a trade school or borstal ( prison ) I was his first to respond.
He died in 1991 at the age of 84 a funeral I missed as I had then emigrated here to the states and could not get a visa back to the US if I left. One regret filed in the regret box!.
That man gave me a trade and skill which has served me well all my working life, but most of all was his teachings of life all of which I adhere to today. When I made mistakes I used to think in my mind what would Bob do? I dont do that anymore, now I say to myself what are you going to do about it
Bob B Caskell was wrong on one thing. You do not have to die to graduate.
Keep making those mistakes! All the best. Anthony.
For all who make mistakes!
Well, I DID ! I had never taught anything that even barely resembled a 40-hour/5-day technical training class and was thrown into the fire. It was tough work, but I proved to be somewhat of a natural at it. I knew the material (I wrote and understood it all), I used a lot of humor, wasn't afraid to admit when I didn't know something and would find out (students really appreciated the honesty) and encouraged questions. The students (adults) responded greatly to all that. 
