Argentine High School - Mustang Yearbook (Kansas City, KS)

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Planing and Sanding Principles underlying work on buildings as well as those utilized in the finer work of cabinet-making are acquired by the boy who takes the wood- working course in Argentine High School. The boy begins the work during his junior high school years and may continue it throughout his senior high school course. General safety factors and shop organization are among the things first considered. Factory and production methods, wood structure and furniture repair are also a part of the course. The boy acquires the ability to construct and finish any piece of furni- ture he desires to make. The pieces have included desks, chests, tables, dressers and lamps. By the time he finishes the advanced course, some of the things he must be able to do are the following: distinguish characteristics of different types of period furniture, know types of hinges and their uses, types of locks and latches and their uses, know kinds of grinding and sharpening stones, know the opportunities and requirements in carpentry and other woodwork- ing trades, know methods of bending wood, drying and conditioning glue joints, latest methods of applying wood finishes, hand tools to buy for the home workshop, range of work that can be done on the jointer and shaper, ways of moth proofing woolens, grades of lumber, causes of warping and shrinking, defection in lumber, proper finishes for a refinish job, opportuni- ties in the woodworking industry. The following success factor traits that employers desire in employees are emphasized: neatness, accuracy, honesty, reliability, proper attitude, cooperation, willingness to work, persistency, cleanliness, punctuality, pride in achievement, consideration for others, ability to follow orders, self-reliance, mannerliness, and correct working posture. • WOODWORK • 13 • ARGENTIAN '44

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• BUILDING TRADES • In the building trades course information concerning causes of defects in houses is studied; for example, there are reasons for plaster cracking, foundations settling and cracking, and doors and windows not working prop- erly. The classes study some of the possible reasons for these and many other troubles. Instruction and practical experience are given each boy on standard building methods, kinds of materials used in building, such as nails, screws, hardware, plumbing and heating systems, kinds of lumber, shingles, siding, dimension lumber and interior trim. A short intensive course in brick and stone work is offered to acquaint the student with masonry work. Here students are given the opportunity of making different kinds of brick bands, chimneys, outdoor ovens, fire- places, arch and other work. Four important basic essentials that the course endeavors to get across to the student in home building are, good design, efficient plan, right mate- rial, and sound construction. Each phase of this work is taught not only from a theory side but also a practical side. Very few boys fail in the course. When they enroll, they have definitely made up their minds to learn a trade, and if they find out they can not do the work, they generally drop out and find another vocation more suited to them.

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• MECHANICAL DRAFTING • For an out-of-class project in mechanical drafting several boys in the drafting classes have constructed a miniature office building. The frame structure was structural steel type. The channel H and I beams were all constructed of paper, glued into their special forms. The outside walls and trim appeared in a stone finish which was produced by paint and brush. Some of the problems encountered in the construction were types of beams and braces, load strength, stairway, elevator shaft, wiring, plumbing, expansion, insulation, fire proofing and lighting all of which proved to be interesting problems for the builders. First year mechanical drafting includes blueprint reading, sketching and instrument drawing. Considerable time is given to reading drawings because far more perform the construction and manufacturing operations than do the drafting. The second year work continues with instrument drafting. Problems used are of a practical nature and selected from the field of general drafting. Work beyond the second year is more advanced. The problems selected are taken from the fields of machine and architectural drafting. The prob- lems gradually become more complex as they cover a wide range of expe- riences. Where possible, production drafting is encouraged. Students pursuing one of the shop courses often take the responsibility of providing their par- ticular shop with drawings and blueprints.