The Apprentice's Toolbox

On Apr 11, 7:55 am, "RST Engineering" wrote:
You sell too cheap, Bob. I've already made the arrangements that mine
will
be buried (or incinerated) along with me.
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I even wrote up an Instructor's Manual with a whole buncha photos
showing which parts of the box could be used to introduce hand-
squeezers, joggling, use of the brake, use of the lathe (for the
handles) and so forth. Zero interest.

All the guys I grew up with -- mostly pushing up daisys now -- always
gave kids rides and taught them useful stuff. Nowadays it seems
everyone is too busy charging a dollar for a dimes-worth of
information to care about what happens when those sources of free,
PRACTICAL information are no longer available to the nation's young.

Yep, most people have no idea how important it is to some of us to learn how
to make things, to learn what we did not know yesterday. To me, it is one
of the most important things in life.

March 20, a few weeks ago, I lost my mentor. My Dad. My friend. I am what
I am today, because of him.

His dad was a machinist, mostly self educated. My dad was the first of his
family to go to college and got an engineering degree, but his dad passed
many of his hands on skills along to him. My dad passed the skills along to
me.

From the time I was old enough to walk, when my dad was in the garage
working on something, I was at his side. I held lights, fetched tools,
cleaned parts, or whatever was needed. Dad always told people that half the
time, he would have to get me out of between his eyes and the work, so he
could continue working. I wanted to learn everything, and see everything,
and dad took the time to show me and teach me. For this, I am eternally
grateful.

I'm also doing my part, and have passed what I could along to my son.
Someday, he will have his great grandpa's tool box, and all of the other
goodies that dad and I have accumulated, too. I hope he passes them along,
and that they mean as much to him, as they have meant to me.

The other day, I needed to tap a hole, and went into grandpa's tool box (a
huge home-made rolling wooden tool box, drawers and all, that he pulled
around the factory to do his work. What a work of art that toolbox is. I
was looking for a tap handle. I found one. It was home made, and had my
grandpa's name stamped on it with a center punch, and the date he made it.
1911. It is now one of my most cherished possessions.

Losing my Dad was one of the toughest things I have ever gone through. His
absence leaves a big hole in my life. It is a little easier, remembering
all we did together, and knowing all I learned from him. I miss him, but am
grateful for the impact he had on my life.

R.I.P., Jack Morgan.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings. It felt good to tell everyone about
him.
--
Jim in NC