As many of you know, I teach collision repair at a community college. I also teach a rodding and restoration cl*** at night. Next week I'll be meeting with the dean to talk about expanding the rod and resto into a full summer course. I'd appreciate any input you guys might have as to the value of a program like this. Also I'd like to hear suggestions about curriculum. What are the most important skills you would look for in a new hire? Keep in mind this will be a 8 week, summer quarter program. (A two quarter program may be possible)
Tinbender, let me know if you get the cl*** going. I live in spokane and would love to learn a little more, even though I've already built two cars.
Really an interesting question. I'm thinking about what I would like to learn and why. There is so much about rodding and restoring, that I could see how it would be hard to come up with some sort of plan to teach. I think the history of rodding through the decades is very interesting, but would textbooks be available? Metal finishing and fabricating would be cool...or maybe planning and cutting a roof on something donated by a local junkyard...maybe a rustbucket pickup or something similar.
In my experience at the local college the value seems to lie in the enrollment. Do you teach this course like a 3 hour art studio? Is the shop free for students to work out their skills after a lecture/demonstration? Are these day or night cl***es. Does your student base come from working stiffs or traditional students? Curriculum might be broken down into systems or processes. Chopping a top, suspension geometry, drivetrain and details in the first eight weeks... followups or other systems in the second eight. I'm not recommending these specifically but as examples of how I do my studios. Would like to hear about what you end up with. Best. himmelberg
There is a lost art to metalworking, and giving people an education in such an area. I think that is valuable knowledge for many trades...plumbing...electrical...etc. Many of the information on mechanical systems in automobiles in general can be applied to various other trades, sort of a springboard. I'd spin that idea on the board.
I think the biggest thing a kid should know is work ethic!LOL Seriously though,if a kid outa school wanted to work for me I'd like it if he could weld.Metalshaping/fabricating would be up there.If your teachin rod/resto they will hafta learn some sort of mechanical skills.I could use someone right now! Good luck with it,hope it turns out some future hot rodders.......Shiny The Way Back Garage
Well find the worst peace you can find, start from nothing and make the best you can out of it. Then you have tought them something usefull.let them find or make the parts from what you have on hand .
Teach them how to do all the **** they don't do on American Chopper.Basic skills to learn,not limited to:MIG,TIG,and Oxy welding and cutting.English wheel,hammer and dolly.Picking and filing. Applying filler.Block sanding,panel alignment.How to adjust a spray gun.Fiberglas basics.Basic machining,drill press,mill,lathe. These are all "transferable job skills",even if student don't go to work for Boyd they still have some skills to get a job.
How many pics do you see of guys working on rusty, painted parts? Teach them to prep the parts to clean metal and to layout it perfect....like on top chops. Fit is everything.
As a former shop teacher and rod shop proprietor, if you can get a few to show up ON TIME and pay attention the whole cl***, start with the basics. I pay 2 guys to do nothing but fit and weld in patch panels; 8 hrs a day. As long as cars are made outta steel, it's a skill that will always have its niche. Also teach em how to correctly read a tape measure. Sounds simple, but many yung'uns can't do it. You can't teach work ethics in 8 weeks, but you can stress that an on-time, ready-to-work, stay-late if required at***ude will go A LONG WAY. Skills can be taught; at***ude can't ( at least not in the short run).
I agree, teach them to read a tape or scale, teach the basics of metal shaping, Contact Fay Butler of Wheelright M***. He has a book, and can give you more than enough info. Welding is also a good topic, not many old cars are going to be built with out some welding. Good Luck
[ QUOTE ] ... Next week I'll be meeting with the dean to talk about expanding the rod and resto into a full summer course... [/ QUOTE ] So, what'd you find out? I was going to take the nighrodding/restoration course - last time I tried I called too late, and it doesn't look like it's running now. Is that not running til spring? Sorry for all the questions; I'm new.
Update: Looks good! I still have a ton of prep work to do, but I think the full time 8 week course will be up and running for this summer. I'm not offering the night rod & restro this next quarter, but it will be offered spring quarter. (42 hour course) The summer night cl***(96 hr.) will depend on the status of the full time summer course. If I run the full time course, no night cl***. If I don't run the full time course, then night cl*** will be offered.
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