Cars not Drugs

[67_Dodge_Charger]

This story made the local news last night.   

CARS NOT DRUGS Author: Heidi Meili 4/19/06

A handful of mechanics are volunteering to teach high school students how to restore cars.  There is no auto shop class in the public schools anymore.  These volunteers hope to build a museum in the future to show and sell the restored cars.  Students said constantly offering a variety of programs like this is a good way to keep kids on the right track. "People are interested in a lot of different things.  If you're putting that in their face, sooner or later they might come around and try it," said student Nate Lamere.

"The kids who joined love it. Those who don't regret it," said Audry Cooper, another student.

If you'd like more information, or would like to help, you can call (406) 541-6284.


-Robert

[PocketThunder]

what?  no shop class in High School anymore    when did this happen?

[Old Moparz]

We had shop in high school & it didn't help prevent this guy I knew from smoking pot. It actually promoted it, since he managed to get a nice piece of wood every other day in wood shop, then cut, drill, & sand it into a pipe. Then he'd go down to the metal shop & find something for a screen. He'd wait until autoshop when we were all outside & spark up his stash inside whatever car was being worked on.

Jack of all trades I suppose. 

[Brock Samson]

Here in Calif there haven't been shop classes, art classes, music classes, "Theater" or other what we called "Electives" since the late '70s...

I was lucky to take all of them and Plastics, Ceramics and woodshop class too,.. The Auto shop when I was in H.S. had a half dozen Ex-CHP Monicos and 440 Polaras and the Drivers' training classes now also extinct, had 20 simulators with the Mopar woodgrain stainless deluxe Steering Wheels. I guess It was pretty much destiny I'd drive a mopar...
  Today youth are pretty much screwed IMO...    I'd better stop... 
 

[41husk]

Here in Illinois we have auto shop and drivers ed.  I have used the lift in auto on more than a few occassions.

[terrible one]

I wish we had a shop class...

[MetallicA]

i also wish there was shop still

[The Ghoul]

I was a party stoner back in the school days.
The reasion I never made a big habbit of it was because that stuff was expensive, and Id rather spend my money on my cars! So I can see where this would work.
I always wanted to start a shop that had about 9 car bays, 5 with lifts 4 without, compleetly stocked with basic tools, air tools, welders, grinders ect.
You pay $X per hour to use a lift bay $X+2 per hour to use the lift bays, you can use all the tools and storage is avalible for any cars on the lot for a small fee that can be used twards bay time, and if you get stuck on something there is some one there to help you out.
A little wash bay off to the side with a hot spray power washer. 
And maby a little drift/mini road track in the back so they can saftly test out new set ups.
I got this idea from the auto craft facility on a us airforce base by my house.
I loved this idea because first off I will always have access to bays and tools  .
Second, I love working with kids, teaching them about cars and how to work on them.
Third, I think it would be great for the community and get alot of kids intrested in the hobbie.

sadly I'm not ballsy enough to oppen my own busness 
But I think it would be perfect in this area. Every one's getting layed off, lots of trailer parks, and appartments in the area and very cold winters. Basically every one will be looking to do the break, oil , and simple parts jobs them selfs and wont have access to the right facilities. 

[Silver R/T]

nice of them to promote skills

[adauto]

Ghoul I think you gat a good idea. My only concern would be lots of insurance issues.

[Mike DC]

       
Shop classes came under fire in the 70s and 80s for steering working-class stundents away from college-prep classes. 

The charge was probably true to some extent, but then again I think college has been over-glorified since the Vietnam era already.  Now it seems like half the technical-schooled kids are making more real money than many college kids.



Seems like sarcastic jaded intellectuals get all the chicks (with hairy armpits) when they're 21, but society has a much greater demand for plumbing & electricity that works.
 

[mikepmcs]

My senior year... metal shop, auto shop, woodshop, a few study halls, then oil painting and sculpture.  What happened to those days???
That was 1984 in Nebraska.
I've been asked here in Maine a couple times to host a car maintenance workshop in my town but sadly I don't have the time.  But,to be honest, kids nowadays just don't want to put in the effort.  I gave a 1989 Jeep to my friends daughter's boyfriend 6 weeks ago and it's still sitting in my yard, why, cause he doesn't know how to work on a car.  All it needs is a crank sensor and it's still here?  What the heck, kids are just too spoon fed these days. Did I mention I gave it to him and he's 17?  Give me a car at 17 would ya.

[Troy]

Hey Ghoul, check this out:
http://www.painterslane.com/

I found this two weeks ago on a tip from the guy at the paint store and it seems that business is booming. They have everything from blasting cabinets, welders and powder coating setups to lift stations and a real downdraft paint booth. You have to join (like a fitness club membership) and then most everything is for rent by the hour. It is truly a DIY shop and they even offer free lectures and workshops to members. It's an interesting concept and hopefully I can give a full report in the near future.

Troy

[BigBlockSam]

i like that . i would luv to open a diy shop. i gotta say you got me thinking. i've been looking for a new business venture.
  shop guys in highschool always had the best drugs 

[The Ghoul]

Hey Ghoul, check this out:
http://www.painterslane.com/

I found this two weeks ago on a tip from the guy at the paint store and it seems that business is booming. They have everything from blasting cabinets, welders and powder coating setups to lift stations and a real downdraft paint booth. You have to join (like a fitness club membership) and then most everything is for rent by the hour. It is truly a DIY shop and they even offer free lectures and workshops to members. It's an interesting concept and hopefully I can give a full report in the near future.

Troy

Thats what I'm talking about!!
Humm, this is sounding better and better. My brother in law is becomming a lawyer, maby this place will create a decent living for the both of us!!! LOL
Maby we can avoid some insurance issues by making a training video mandatory for first-timmers?
I am considering this, simply because I am not sure what direction I should go in (3 years into an engineering degree and not verry successfully). I have been thinking about bagging the ME getting into busness classes and taking ASE cert classes on the side.

[bigblock4speedman]

I graduated in 1986 in south Arkansas, almost half the school had a cool old hot rod or truck, and we had shop and worked on cars.  I drove by the high school in 1988 and couldn't believe it!!!  No cool cars only a few tired looking Mustangs and Camaros, all the rest were mostly little forign jobs!  It was very disturbing!  Then I found out 1986 was the last year they offered auto mechanic, welding or wood shop!!!   I recently talked to my nephews and nieces and they know nothing about american history!  Our country and our constitution is in serious danger, so teach kids how to work on a car and teach them about America's begining and history and the freedom and rights that we will loose if the UN takes over our country!!!!!  SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!!!!!!