Students as fabricators

[magnets]

We usually try to get all kids proficient on the bandsaw/drill press and the kids can decide what they want to learn. Also, we tend to have the CAD/CAM team run the CNC so that they can get some more experience. We usually have one or two kids who are pretty skilled machinists. This year, we had two kids who were proficient on the bridgeport, mini-mill, our small south bend lathe, and our larger grizzly lathe, and our mig welder to weld steel.

We try to get the students involved, so our rule is that mentors can't use the mills/lathes without students there to learn from them.

In the past, we've had some really skilled kids who were proficient with tig welding aluminum when they joined the team!