Art & Inspiration Lost skills and talents . Gone just gone! Kids are our downfall !

Wow ! What an amazing thread.

OK, I am currently 67 hope to make it to 68, we'll see how that goes. So yes I am a baby boomer, no regrets about that, I caught the tail end of a very innovative time period.

There was a time when these items, in these photographs, were considered to be high tech so to speak.



The reason I use these two pictures to illustrate a point is this, who would have ever thought that a church key, would be an instrument that can demonstrate, that metal, can cut and sheer metal ?

Laugh all you want, but this is also a great illustration of how some people went on, to learn the trade of being a skilled sheet metal worker and fabricator!

I know that is a stretch indeed, but you get my point I hope!

Second point to illustrate.
I have this old, left over guts, of a hit or miss engine firmly positioned outside of our fence at our house here in the city. From time to time, people young and old that are walking by, will ask us what it is and what it was used for and how did it operate ? ( That is me on the forklift by the way. )


What is really fun, is the fact that I can turn them onto a variety of websites via my smart phone that shows what a running, functioning hit or miss engine did and what it was used for.

Having this 479 pound ghost, out in front of the house, long after it has seen its days of operation, still can be a source of information and inspiration as well.

There is no time like the present, to use information and illustrations and skills from the past, to help educate the younger generations, to help us all, hopefully progress to an interesting, innovative future!

Just sayin!
Dennis.

 

Hey, my Bridgeport may be old, but it ain't clapped out. It's a shame it can't be said about the operator...

 

Hey buddy, you know they got medication for the clap, right?

 

I was NOT referring to you!

 

Dang it.
I still resemble that in my worthless opinion.
Most of my students would agree.
I have very few yes or no answers.

 

Or, halfway through explaining it, they just reach out, take the latest hi-tech marvel you've acquired, ( phone, laptop, TV remote, whatever ) and bippity, boppity, boo, what you needed to see done in order to learn it yourself, is done and the kid is back doing his or her thing. And you still don't know how to do it

 

Ignorance does not have an age restriction.
I spent some time working at a late model collision shop, one day a customer brought in a late 60s mustang to have some work done, it was a slow day so of course all the technicians had to come gawk at it(most of them are 15-20 years older than me). Only one of them knew where the dimmer switch was, I asked one of the older techs if he could grab the scanner and plug it in for me so i could check for codes....he said "sure no problem" then looked all over the car trying to find the diagnostic port before giving up. Even after I told him he couldn't believe that a car could function without a computer. The shop forman even came out and apologized for forgetting to put scan time on the estimate.
On the other hand there were plenty of times where I struggled to reprogram some bs sensor, or had bizarre electrical issues that one of the other technicians were able to solve in a few seconds.
In the grand scheme of things I am the idiot for refusing to embrace technology, but old stuff makes me happy so I'll just continue letting the world p*** me by.

 

There is hope for these kids, but in limited amounts. My 15 year old grandson is in the high school engineering program.....straight "A's"......he has the math, science and computer skills of a senior in college. He is competent in all the electronics as well as old-time mechanical things like welding and wrenching on my hot rods. Last week he removed my daughter's old dish washer and installed a new one......with zero help from anyone. And.....he was the All-State hockey MVP (goalie) for the past 3 years. These are the kids who will lead this country in major corporations in the future.......all the others will be the "sheep".

 

Ok for starters, I’m not a boomer or a snowflake, not an ***hole either as you so eloquently wrote.

I am not bashing a generation. What I wrote was supposed to be taken as a joke. I guess sarcasm does not relay well over the internet.
I did a second post trying to iterate that point.

guess you didn’t read it and just wanted to jump up on your soap box.


There are some really great posts on this thread and I’ve enjoyed everyone your including yours.
Other then the insults

 

At the student/parent, welcome to drivers education meeting we were attending with our then 16 Y/O daughter (she's 28 now), the instructor asked the parents to name a few things their kids would probably never come into contact with in the cars and trucks available now that they would be driving. When I started rattling off about my 51 Chevrolet Business Coupe, with an inline six, a three speed on the column, no back seat, no radio, a really basic heater, no air conditioning, no power steering, no power brakes, all drum brakes, and no turn signals, even most of the parents were looking a little confused. They probably thought I was nuts, but the instructor kept nodding, so at least someone understood. Our daughter went for stick shifts in her cars for the first 2 or 3 cars, before she went with a transamatic automission; her last 2 cars have been domestics also. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

54kiwi, nice shot, direct hit, you have a way with words, it is our fault. I'm one of those guys, my only foray into technology is this 14 year old computer that I'm playing with, no phone for me, no online shopping for me, no debit-credit card stuff, cash king, (don't like the ability to bee tracked), I can name all the bad **** that modern society has produced.

My grandson is a friggen genius, but it has made him so lazy he only wants to game, and at 27, its the only thing he's good at. His dad? Best of both worlds, grew up around motorcycles and cars, my daughter knows more about 4X4's and hot rods than her boyfriends, rides bike, off roads, can effect roadside fixes, my boy rides a fast harley, and both of them make me look like an idiot who can't cut and paste. (cause I can't).

I refuse to step into the modern world, its not my world, I refuse to use automatic checkouts, I value my privacy, the gov't not knowing anything about my financial affairs, rat traps that catch rats with old world springs, cars that make noise and fire, nothing wrong with the new world, but I can also see the danger in running a car that stops dead with no effective roadside, get you home in the night ability, cause I live in bum**** nowhere, where its very dark and a bear could literally be outside the car door. It can be a long walk, with no cell service.

Laugh, but we're out here, only I don't hide it. Now, having said all this, I know my days are numbered, I'm being forced to integrate, and slowly, I will, but I'll always have a wad of cash stuffed under my bed, the ability to fix ****, and I'll hang on as long as I can.

 

That wasn't the point I was trying to make. I am well aware that vehicles with automatics are now getting better mileage than vehicles equipped with standard transmissions. It has also been shown statistically, that the average automatic equipped vehicle will have less mechanical issues in its lifetime.
All I was saying, is that there has been a dramatic change in the technology, that has made the automatic the basic transmission, and that it is a quantum change from the era we grew up in.
Because of the advances in technology, things change in ways and at a speed that we could not have foreseen, and have consequences that we could not have predicted. I worked in the airline industry, where some of the "advances" caused catastrophic accidents.
Bob

 

I remember the quote, and would want to qualify it just a little. The children may be idiots from our point of view, because they can't see, and will never know, the kind of freedoms we had growing up in our simpler world. It just isn't possible for us to see the world through their eyes, just like they can't see the world through ours.
I think that most children today are absolutely amazing, and because the changes in technology they are growing up with are an integral part of their lives, they are quite comfortable with it. A person needs a certain level of education to even find work in a low paying job, such as a cashier in a supermarket. Because of the loss of jobs due to mechanization, even low paying, low level jobs are more difficult to find.
The educated kids from the first day they enter the marketplace, are saddled with the debit of their school loans, and have to compete for a even their first ordinary job.
When I was a kid, a person could quit a job in the morning, and have spent half the day working at the new job by the end of the day.
Bob

 

in another 50 years the entire planet will be one big Mad Max movie and nothing we are discussing today will matter.

 

“And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations, they're quite aware of what they're going through” ― David Bowie

 

Right on Jjock, its what I was trying to say, in our haste to change and better the world, we've lost some really good stuff. Kids can't pump gas, hang out at the corner filling station, wash dishes in an italian restaurant, babysit, with out some certificate or law created to govern in the name of safety. No more riding in the box of a pickup, almost nobody hangs out in groups, and when they do, they communicate by text.
Pumping gas was a rite of p***age, hanging out on a grease covered shop floor was cool, learning shop or wood work at school led you into the trades, I offered to bring myself and a couple friends to the local high school with our cars to help out the shop teacher and maybe get some kids interested in the local drag track, but the teacher informed me he wasn't knowledgeable about cars, and was placed there as a slot filled on their roster. Never happened, years of knowledge not used, kids who could benefit didn't, seems schools these days don't focus on using your hands to make a living.
This is a forum dedicated to traditional cars, attracting those of us with traditional ways, remembering hot roddings roots, but really, its about the ability to fix ****, make things work, shape metal, create something tangible from mostly junk, and share the knowledge of our experience. I personally think in twenty years my 36 will be no longer allowed on the roads, and my knowledge will be useless. I just inherited a ****load of tools from an old body and fender man, who watched his trade and skills disappear, into a repair and replace world that wrote off stuff he and his compadres fixed.
I am a very skilled equipment operator, I can make iron sing, but my world has changed because of gps, worksafe, I need tickets now to work in a trade I've spent 45 years in, in some ways I think we really did live in the best of times.

 

I will be 39 next Saturday, and I find I that it is mostly people 25 years and older then myself that tell me that I need to do the following on my 1953 Chevrolet

-Install dual reservoir master cylinder and disc brakes
-Change from points to ecteronic ignition
-Radial tires
-Replace the 261 Blue Flame 6 with a Small Block Chevy.

 

@trollst @j-jock

AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

That's funny.

Today I got a ride from my day job, to my shop, in a car that was driving itself.

Only if you live like there won't be a tomorrow will you be correct.

 

That is an exact replica of the tool to tighten the handbrake cable on a Wilwood disk parking brake setup.

 

I don’t think the OP was slamming the kids, it was joke. Right?

Touchy subject I guess for some.

 

Tip of the hat to @trollst .
I totally agree with you on a variety of points. I have modified my diversification of how I deal with the world as it is now.
1.
I have plenty of tools to fix my old stuff, but that being said, the nice little snap on tool box I have in my OT 2004 Dodge Dakota Quad cab, its just a primary first strike, if I have a problem out on the road, the sad reality is, more than likely if and when there will be a problem out on the road, its going to be computer related, so that is why I keep the annual coverage with AAA, with the RV Plus package so that my truck can be towed back home. Or to the local dealer that can deal with it parts replacement wise.
2.
It never hurts to be diversified as best as one can. Yes, stashed cash, in the home in a safe fireproof place, gives me an amazing amount of feeling safe and secure, it works when the power is off or the ATM isn't working.
3.
It never hurts to have a debit card and at least one credit card with a realistic limit, backed up by a good high credit rating score. Sad fact, that you need this, if you ever have to rent a car in an emergency or if you need to fly on a commercial airliner.

I am a retired Teamster Cl*** A- C.D.L.-Hazmat, Driver/Supervisor. I recently retired in 2019 but I still have my C.D.L. and all of my years of experience in rigging and machinery moving. The type of experience that isn't taught in any school or course.

I feel so thankful that I did grow up in the time of gas stations and parts houses where you had to read the books because there were no computers to depend upon. And I am very fortunate that my father had a wrecking yard and car repair business. This was back when it was simple ( from the early 60's through the late 70's ) stuff like points, plugs, condenser, rotor cap, plug wires, oil changes, tire balancing, radiator repair, front end alignment, etc ,etc.

I feel sorry for the kids of today, that didn't have the opportunity to actually work in a gas station as a first job, they missed out on the element of how to count change backwards ( I can see you all grinning )

All of that being said, the kids of today, ARE the future and especially in these strange days of uncharted territory, its going to be amazing to see what the next 3 decades will bring as far as advancement in all fields, or total meltdown that requires new and old skills to be learned and relearned !

No matter how high tech something is, when its stuck or wont open, or wont budge, a person that is experienced with a cutting torch ( heat wrench ) or if something that is needing to be welded, will always be appreciated by those that need a person, that has those skills !

Knowledge is power, if you have the knowledge, share it and p*** the power on to the next generation!

 

I like to call this ‘real misdirected rage’. Chill the **** out, it was a joke. If you’ve been on here a week or more you know he has a sense of humor. Calling someone an ***hole because he ignited some deep resentment that you seem to carry is not helping your cause. Calling out a death wish on a forum where 80% of the members are getting on in years is way over the top. The funny thing about old age, only the smart or lucky ones achieve it.

 

Hey @54chevkiwi , out of order man.
You are en***led to have, and voice, any opinion you wish. You are not en***led to try and drive it home with a hammer. I think an apology may be in order, and you need to figure out how this place works. There is a huge difference between 'harsh banter' and straight up 'bad form'. And take note of how I didn't call you names or threaten you even once while voicing my opinion.

 

My granddaughter wanted a college anatomy book at 3. Kids book was not good enough. But, believe you me, she will keep our hobby alive. She loves my Dads 59 Belair and is helping us build my 58 Delray and my cousins 53 Chevy 4x4. Learning all the ins and outs.

Sent from my SM-S102DL using Tapatalk

 

When I was ***igned as a 19 D Instructor and the young new Privates came into the cl***room I always asked them if they were ready to die. That got their attention real quick and then I added. Pay attention to what I am teaching you today as it could save your life. Then we went into the proper dis-***embly, re-***embly and finally a function check of the weapon being taught. As the Privates went about their practice I would impart some little tid bits to make the task easier or instill the importance of a particular task. Things I was taught over the years involving a variety of numerous heavy weapons that I p***ed on. I only hope that what I taught will be p***ed on as alot of those weapons are not being replaced with "Newer, Greater" weapons. At the same time I embraced the technology; FLIR, 4th Gen NV, FBCB2. That stuff has saved lives as well as the weapons.

 

so on my way to Hill Climb in Colorado in my Roadster, I pull into a Conoco station in Buena Vista and out of the station walk two young men, maybe 11 and 12 years old. Cowboy hats, red short sleeve shirts with the sleeves rolled up. Black pants, polished cowboy boots, and in their back pocket, a red shop towel stuffed in by the corner.
I hope I painted the picture of stepping back to full service.
Gentlemen, the both of them. "Can I fill it up sir?"
"Yes, please but just until it clicks off and let me show you where the gas cap is."
"Can I check the oil sir?"
"Yes, but let me show you how the hood latches work"
An experience none of the three will forget....the youngsters need mentoring, and especially the ones that are engaged in something other than obtaining the next level in a video game.
I'm working thru problems with a fabricated item that I purchased online (banger performance part...yes I know it's an oxy*****). I turned *** hole off to start the conversation and eventually found out that I was dealing with a 24 yo. who was figuring things out and fabricating things on his own. I want to encourage that not discourage that!
Take time to talk to the youngsters....a lot of them will talk back and truly engage in conversation.
Hell, I just taught one to drive a Model T which was a hoot because I'm learning too!
If you want to prove you know something....teach it to someone else!
And I for one remember listening in on the party line to see if the line was open.
Our ring was two longs and a short

 

Easy @54chevkiwi I am only a three years older then you and can a sure you that no on the H.A.M.B. took shop cl***es out of schools.

You gave the of using modern software and drawing thing up on a computer and how much faster it is. Yes it can be faster but it is only as good as the person using it. I have seen several interviews of Will G. Davidson. He talks modern designer/engineers telling him "We can't build that." "That can't be done" and taking them into the vault and pointing and asking "If they could do it 70 years ago why can't we do it today?"

So many young people don't know or care about history and have no idea how we got to were we are, or how to do this the old school way when that computer fails.

I also must say must of the example of things we can't live without like I-Phones I find I am doing very well with out.

Despite being born in 1981 I sure as hell don't feel or call myself a Millennial, I have always felt a kinship to the Baby Boomers and the Greatest Generation.

 

Hey @54chevkiwi , Did you see this when you read the whole thread.
You're 36, aren't you?
@VANDENPLAS is old enough to be........................well.......................your slightly older brother.