J Sterling Morton East High School - Mortonian Yearbook (Cicero, IL)

Page 31 text:

XTRIAI. Au. METAL . The general metal shop. 2. Mr. Spink and Mr. Anderson, the instructors of general metal work 3. Welding with the torch, 4. The final step-hand polishing. i 5. Q'Spot Welding sheet iron. 6. The bar-fold-where sheet ircn takes form. 7. The smith, a mighty man is he ---- .N 8. Cutting sheet metal on the squaring shears. 9- Pouring aluminum melted in the gas furnace.

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XKDCAJKDNAa..HwD I-IREE DISTINCT GROUPS OF STUDENTS pass daily through the doors of the General Metal shop. Prospective machineshop students make up the largest group because, for A 3 them, this course 1S a required pre-requisite. I-Iere the future machinist and toolmaker acquires the fundamentals of hand metal working before attempting the more difficult machine work. A The second group consists of explorers, that is, students who are trying hrst one and then another df the Industrial Arts shops in search of the kind of life work which is best suited to their interests and abilities. The Hrst two groups are composed largely of freshmen and sophomores. The third group contains older students who either are enrolled in the Building Trades Drafting class, for which General Metal Work is a re- quired related subject, or students who are taking the course because of the wide variety of problems offered in this extremely interesting held of work. There is, naturally, no advanced or Vocational work in this shop, con- sequently, all students remain here for only one semester. From the photographs, one can get an idea of the nature of work done by the students. Mculding and casting of non-ferrous metals is an im- portant phase of the course, for many of the castings required on produc- tion jcbs are made here. Forging, welding, hardening and tempering, are done as they were under the spreading chestnut tree,', although more modern methods of uniting two pieces cf metal are used in oxy-acetylene and electric spot welding. Drafting of patterns and the subsequent making of sheet metal projects, useful in the shop or home, form another part of this course. Art metal work also occupies a considerable portion of the student's time. Many beautiful examples of wrought iron workg such as, fire sets, lamps, occasional tables., an.d smoking stands, are made every semester by students who are especially interested in creating useful and artistic adorn- ments for their homes. Gt-NJJIR fi-4 O .D

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'Eg ?fc ACI-IINE SHOP ACTIVITIES are divided into two courses. Sf? We? - ff ciples, is meant primarily for those who wish to become ac- quainted with machine metal work. Others included in this group are vocational students from the drafting, pattern, and auto shops required to take the course in crder to provide a sufiicient background for their work. While in the Industrial shop, the student is taught to operate the lathe, drill press, shaper, and grinder, in addition to regular hand work at the bench. Having passed the Industrial Arts course, thcse students desiring to be- come machinists or tool makers are selected and enrolled in the Vocational course. The school level of achievement in this phase of vocational train- ing is considered up to standard with the training received in the best apprentice schools of industrial plants. It is Morton's aim to give her machinists an opportunity to prepare themselves for leadership in their future occupations. Safety rules are 'stressed from the beginning of the course. The prac- tical nature of their work enables the students to make many useful tools which otherwise would have to be purchased. All work is done, when- ever possible, with the same production methods as those used in industry. As the course advances the work becomes surprisingly complex. During the last term, each student makes a one-inch micrometer. This instru- ment, capable of measuring an object only one-twenty-fifth the thickness of this sheet of paper, is not only essential to his daily work but also serves as a fine recommendation of his training, speaking louder than words when he applies for a job upc'n leaving school. In normal times machine shop graduates easily find employment in local industry. A large number of thcse placed before the depression have held their jobs during these trying times. In several instances our graduates have been promoted to supervisors, foremen, and inspectors. The ma- jority, however, are employed as toolmakers and special machine operators- -f .' ' ' A e , ,V f-V K' I 'Z Q7 fl . . . The Industrial Arts course, based on general education prin- A.