Four mechanical “arts”

I have huge respect and admiration for practical engineers. People with aptitude for making things. Both of my Grand-fathers worked in steel foundry and mechanical engineering at times and while I only got to know my Mum’s dad, he was working hard in practical engineering until he died at 87. He would make a soapstone sketch on a piece of steel, then set about building it.

I don’t think I knew what engineering was in much detail, but I knew the pinnacle achievement would be to be a practical engineer. I’m still not, but I love learning new things about the field, and yes I have an engineering degree and work in the field, but definitely do not class myself as a practical engineer.

In my search for knowledge on this subject I found a wonderful book, Foundation of Mechanical Accuracy, by Wayne Moore. Wayne’s dad started Moore Special Tool Company, which developed "modern pre digital techniques for creating machined objects with accuracy to a millionth of an inch. Wayne continued the family tradition of sharing their knowledge for the betterment of wider industry and mankind.

Moore describes mastery of the Four mechanical “arts” as essential for achieving accuracy (and being a highly skilled machinist. The “arts” are 1. Geometry, 2. Standards of Length, 3. Dividing the Circle, 4. Roundness. Check it out for yourself if you like. Foundations Of Mechanical Accuracy : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

I love the melding of art and science in this book, and the respect for the history and the people who choose to spend their productive lives creating the machines that create the machines that create the infrastructure we need to live our lives.