pic: 294 - This is How we cut (HASS)

[dtengineering]

I'm not surprised that dentist would become a great machinist in pretty short order... I mean... much of what dentists do is a form of machining.

One of the difficult issues we face in attracting students to study "hands-on" technology courses like machining and construction at school is that kids (and their parents, and counsellors) often fail to see the ties between the "trades" skills taught in shops and those used in many "high status" professional careers.

I know I'm singing with the choir here, but if you look at the tools used by surgeons, and compare that to your typical wood shop (where carving, turning, etc. takes place), the main difference is in how clean they are. As interesting as academic studies may be, they aren't exactly a great place to develop fine motor skills and an appreciation for using the correct tool for the job.

Some kids get it... our TIG specialist last year plans to be an M.D. one day... but I wish more did.

Jason