Few Questions are dumb.

[Boucher]

Newbies often start a thread this is probably a dumb question but …… The only dumb questions are those ask with the intent to show off what one knows or impress the class. Those seeking assistance even on an elementary level are not dumb. The fear of appearing dumb may be restraining others from asking the same question. There is some tendency to fault askers for not using the search functions or not thinking things through. The search functions do not work real well for the newbie because of the vocabulary of terms. Thinking things through also comes with experience. I recently cut my handle of prematurely on a lathe project. That caused all sorts of grief. I was seriously considering starting over. That sort of mistake teaches you to think further ahead. I have had a small stroke this last year. That has caused problems with memory and thinking processes. This group has been very helpful and I really appreciate the quality of help and experience available here.

[Evan]

YOU CUT YOUR HANDLE OFF?

Forgive what may be a dumb question but exactly what handle was that?

[Carld]

You have a valid point but. The thing I like to see is someone trying to work out a problem. If they post a method and ask, "will this work" it's much better than just asking an answer to a very simple thing. I do understand that many have not been taught to think in schools or in life.

When I worked in a job shop, before I asked how to do something I would try to work a process out then ask if it would work or for a better way. When you ask a fellow machinist at work how to do something many times you will get a stare and asked how do you think it could be done. After I gained a lot of experience I understood the wisdom of their ways. They wanted to get me to be creative in my work and thought process.

I was an instructor at one point in my career and found it's better to make people think than just supply an answer. If I just told them how to do something that's all they knew. If I started them thinking it often opened doors they never saw before. The mind is like a huge book and if you don't flip the pages all the time they get stuck together and you loose everything.

A creative mind has to be developed and trained, it is not something everyone has from the getgo. A lot of people go through life never thinking how, why, what about anything in their life. What a droll existance that is. From the time I could talk I asked why, how and what about everything I saw. I took apart everything I could get my hands on much to the dismay of my parents. My grandfather supplied me with tools and I don't know if he meant me knowledge or torment for my parents. It worked though and my life has been spent searching and thinking and working.

[Evan]

From the time I could talk I asked why, how and what about everything I saw. I took apart everything I could get my hands on much to the dismay of my parents. My grandfather supplied me with tools and I don't know if he meant me knowledge or torment for my parents. It worked though and my life has been spent searching and thinking and working.

Exactly my story too. My grandfather was a civil engineer and when my grandmother complained about me digging up her rose garden to channel water all around when I was maybe 6 he shushed her up with "Leave him be, he's learning hydraulic engineering"

[Spin Doctor]

IN truth there are no dumb questions. But there are plenty of dumb answers

[tattoomike68]

IN truth there are no dumb questions. But there are plenty of dumb answers

To a point, "Can I use your welder to fix a gas tank leak?

I guess my point is that if you have to ask, you best let a pro do the job anyway. the pro is better off doing the job and sending the noob down the road then babysitting or letting the noob blow himself up.

When you work as a job shop machinist you do get dumb questions, some fool might bring in pipe for a chain link fence post and want a driveline made. I will try to talk them out of it but if thats what they want I tell them there is no guarantee and do it for cash. Also tell them "see you in a day or two." he is saving money you know....

[Your Old Dog]

Exactly my story too. My grandfather was a civil engineer and when my grandmother complained about me digging up her rose garden to channel water all around when I was maybe 6 he shushed her up with "Leave him be, he's learning hydraulic engineering"

I used to take everything apart that I could get my hands on. I took the toaster apart, a radio, the glove box in dad's car and at that point dad started locking up his tools. My uncle found a rag out by the garden that I had hidden with 3 shiney new Crescent wrenchs in it. From that point on I was called Bucky Crescent by many family members

[Evan]

I honestly had no idea what you were referring to, so I made a joke out of it. Apparently some people don't share my sense of humor, something I have been told before. Oh well, I would find it very boring to be just like somebody else.

The handle I was referring to is the one you held on to while holding the magazine with the other hand as a youngster.

I find it somewhat amusing to see somebody that has just arrived on this BBS making judgements about my actions in this case. Perhaps BMSS should do a search on the threads I have started. They are about 90% on topic machining threads.

[Lew Hartswick]

I was an instructor at one point in my career and found it's better to make people think than just supply an answer. If I just told them how to do something that's all they knew. If I started them thinking it often opened doors they never saw before. The mind is like a huge book and if you don't flip the pages all the time they get stuck together and you loose everything..

Have you workerd with any high school kids in the last 10 or 20 years?
:-)
...lew...

[Liger Zero]

Lew:

That's almost impossible. I say almost... if you can get them to put the cellphone down...