been machining since I was 14. I am 58 now. the main difference in skills now is the attitude to training. In Australia, today, as a apprentice, you are only taught the skills that the employer needs you to have in order to do your job. Technical college training never has been funded adequatly, and the curriclum divorced from reality.. it is possible here to do 4 years apprenticeship as a machinist and still not be able to cut a thread. this is true, I was asked by a apprentice about to leave can I teach him to cut threads as his new job required this.
A previous thread here reffered to the art of scraping. A poster was very dismissive of " old men with scrapers'. Old men with scrapers are the reason we now have developed technology that allows 150+ HP on a road bike. In assuming the poster was not old, I hope indeed he reaches old age, with or without scraper in hand. This is half the trouble. A little respect from those who rely on these skills would not go astray.
machining can be a shitty job. working with old machinery, to tight tolerances and producing faster than the speed of light , for low wages it can be very unrewarding. But when u have repaired the impossible, or made a very difficult part, you can feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement.
I think the reduction in manual skills and knowledge will only get worse, due to CNC. But this is the modern reality. If you find a good machinist, be polite and courteous. a little manners goes a long way.
best wishes Bradley
