Ran into my high school shop teacher at Lowe's last weekend

I was grabbing some 10mm sockets for the shop and there he was, Mr. Hendricks, picking out a new tape measure. He asked what I was up to and I told him I still use that trick he taught us about using a penny as a makeshift fuse puller in a pinch. He laughed and said he never thought a kid who nearly set fire to the bandsaw in 2002 would end up running his own garage. Made me wonder how many other small things from back then actually stuck with me without me even noticing. Any of you ever run into a teacher or mentor and suddenly realize how much they shaped the way you do stuff now?

3 comments

3 Comments

brian_smith619d ago

Man that penny trick is brilliant, sorry I'm definitely stealing that one for my toolbox. It's crazy how the little things they drilled into us end up being the most useful.

the_anthony19d ago

Used to roll my eyes at shop class but this post made me realize those old dudes actually knew what they were talking about.

hart.sage19d ago

Three years of cabinet making in high school and I never once thought it would matter, @the_anthony. But now I actually understand the value of measuring twice and learning to fix things instead of just replacing them. It's wild how those boring lessons stick with you when you least expect it.