Leeds Association of Engineers

As I said previously (in my Apprenticeship Memories – The First Twelve Months), the first year apprentices received basic training away from the factory. Although you learned the basic engineering skills, it was only preparation for learning how to work in a production environment. So off I went to work in Inspection, with a manager, I recall, called Percy Healey. … Continue reading “Andrew Kibler – Apprenticeship Memories – The Next Three Years”

My first job was working in the toolroom on a radial drill, drilling bolsters for press tools. Then I worked on a centre lathe. Milling was the most difficult of the machining processes as it required more setting up experience. Never up mill, always down mill, otherwise the component moves and can be fired across the toolroom. Sawing on a … Continue reading “Francis Atkinson – My First Job in the Toolroom”

My initiation into tool room life had been fairly painless in the first two weeks when I had been ‘sat by Eddie’ on the marking off bench. I had made some friends and seen some interesting new machining processes as I scurried around doing odd jobs for my foreman Vince. Perched on my stool in front of the marking off … Continue reading “Gordon Toulson – Let Loose in the Machining Section”

My first day as an apprentice at Wilsons & Mathiesons Ltd. started off with a safety induction course in the personnel department. It was run by the Training Officer Mr. Geoff Muhl. He was a large chap with a bulging waistline and had a red face and was either chuckling or grinning. I was to later find out that he … Continue reading “Gordon Toulson – My First Day as an Apprentice”

The 1969 summer holidays were over. My return to work on the “proper shop floor” didn’t start well. I walked from the bus station to Water Lane as I had done for the previous 12 months, but this time I went under the large archway which was where you clocked in. A few lads where in front of me getting … Continue reading “Malcolm Murray – My Introduction to Engineering – Chapter 3”

The President and Council of the association ask a favour of our members. Do you know of anyone who might be interested in joining the association ? Could you perhaps print off a membership application form and propose a new member ? Seconding the application should not be a problem and we can help with that detail. Here is a … Continue reading “Propose a New Member…..”