Thread: a question from my metal exam

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

My boss from the old place of employment (The Chief Electrical Engineer) used to say "Get them young when they know it all." I assume that as they gain experience, they realise how little they know.

Actually it was so they could write " it all" down on an envelope for later when they realised.... and so could refer to the back of the envelope for advice...

beats taking some of the "standardised" exams where the "enabler" doesnt know diddly about the subject matter.

they sit there and do nothing but make sure you dont cheat and follow the instructions.

the last one I took the test took 20 minutes and I was working on the extra credit question.

I went up and asked for clarification of a term (because the wrong term was used in the context of the question) about 10 minutes later someone else (the bloke sitting next to me) went up and asked what I later learnt was the same question.

since I had about 40 minutes up my sleeve to answer the extra credit question I answered it both ways on seperate pages with a single paragraph covering sheet.

"before you read my answer, I believe I should be awarded the Extra credit just for being able to identify the flaw in the question when the assesing staff couldn't. I have included 2 answers 1 assuming you want me to interpret the question as xxx and the other as yyy, please read the header of each page and dispose of the answer sheet that is for the incorrect interpretation"


I got the credit as well as a call into the reviewing board... apparently you're not supposed to know All the technicalities for a course and If you do you are not supposed to show up the flaws in the system.

When I was a first year apprentice fitter, about the only brands of micrometer available were the ones mentioned above, plus Mauser which were sold by a very few outlets. Over fifty years the prices have come down dramatically in relation to earnings. A 0-1" micrometer cost me two and a bit weeks wages then. A Britool Whitworth 1/2" drive socket set cost three and a bit weeks pay. Nowadays an apprentice could buy a Chinese set of six for less than a weeks pay.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

When I was a first year apprentice fitter, about the only brands of micrometer available were the ones mentioned above, plus Mauser which were sold by a very few outlets. Over fifty years the prices have come down dramatically in relation to earnings. A 0-1" micrometer cost me two and a bit weeks wages then. A Britool Whitworth 1/2" drive socket set cost three and a bit weeks pay. Nowadays an apprentice could buy a Chinese set of six for less than a weeks pay.

Brian looks like that we are from the same era or close to. I have to go back to circa 1958 when I was finishing the course.
I have the choice back then between the Etalon and the Mauser.
Bugger that they cost me a lot of money back then

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

You left out L.S.Starrett and Shardlow of Sheffield. Mind you, one has to be an eccentric millionaire to buy any of those brands today. I can import and sell a wooden boxed set of six micrometers, range from 0-6" or 0-150mm, from China and sell them for less than one x 6" micrometer from any of those brands. Quite acceptable quality and accuracy too.

You are quite right about the costs too Brian. Forty years ago I could only afford the Moore & Wrights - Dad had M&W, Brown & Sharp and Starretts - and if I was supervised (by him) I got to use the unusual ones. He's 89 and still thinks that way!
It just happened that I had to look up something "modern" recently that was not in our catalogue collection so knew these links!

Here's Starretts:
OL Micrometers - The L.S. Starrett Company

Bob

hey everyone i have found in the past when you prove a teacher wrong and you ask them to remark question/s they often get really annnoyed and they say oh well you might have got it right but i could probably take some marks off here where i was a bit lenient.i will try and get the exam when i get back to school and put on here im curious to see how you would answer some of them

G'day schmierer

What you say could well be correct but more importantly, I think you should go back and have a good look at what the question really was and whether you answered the question appropriately. Do you have a copy of the exam paper? Were you given it back with your answers marked? Or were you just told verbally what the answers were? I would be almost certain your teacher knows about the different types of micrometers. Did your teacher say why your more detailed answer was wrong?

If you consider all the above and still feel you have been docked a mark when you shouldn't have then I suggest you talk to you teacher about it but NOT in front of all the other kids in the class. Nor do it while he is on playground duty or the like. Make an appointment to see him at the staff room or what ever is the process at your school. Just so he is not busy and can devote some time to your enquiry. Also you don't want to say the other kids were wrong and you were right, just that you believe your answer was also correct. If this still does not 'work', my advice is thank you teacher for listening to you, then forget the whole episode. Move on. But I would be surprised if you don't get a fair hearing from the teacher.

Cheers and good luck
KarlB

hey the question was name this tool.we had a brief look through it but he hadnt finished the last section so we could not get it back.i told him about the different type of micrometers and he wouldnt have a bar of it."no there are no inside outside micrometers there are just micrometers.i will wait untill we go through the hole exam next term to bring it up.