Bring it to their level..... build them a bridge that they really can cross...

Mass production involves accurately locating jigs and fixtures in order to machine parts repetitively.  Practice with jigs and fixtures gives them more insight into the methods of producing multiple parts.  More fixtures can be built once students grasp the concepts which are rarely presented in schools.   Building a jig reveals to students  the methods of designing and then pre-planning a system. Anyone who makes furniture in volume needs to know these basic "fool-proof" processes, especially on a table saw,  leading them to grasp the "bigger picture" of how to make things in high volume.

Man’s knowledge is only as great as his accessibility.....

Manufacturing Jigs for woodworkers, students, and home shops.

What we need are more "mass producers".   Ask any economist.  I have written quite lengthily describing 
how industry regards custom made products as being the best. Surely, the public has a growing interest in fabricating and honing our skill in the arts and in woodworking. We all love the PBS woodworking series, 
and even Orange County Choppers. It is amazing how people are attracted to new techniques, but have 
little insight or access to manufacturing principles, maxims and processes, which involves planning, and having established a connection with these concepts, instead of only passion for hand made, custom made goods.  Making things by hand would be mythical, primitive and unprofitable to most engineers and economists.  I know of few hobbyists who consider, or seem to consider mass production though.  

Without the machinist and jig maker, we might would be making  50 million 
cell phones, or handheld PC's  or DVD players by hand with a knife and file. 

When they discovered production methodology, and then precision CNC among other things, there was another breakthrough, another myth smashed and broken.  It seems that there was always a myth that hand made is best, and machine-made,  cookie cutter goods are not as good.   Tell that to the top 50 highest quality mass producers in the world.   If that is the case, we will start making cell phone's, handheld PC's and DVD players by hand with a knife and file.  Very expensive stuff huh?  Sure, people will always make things by hand, and have some mystical technique, like selling to the rich and famous in order to make profit.  Many people actually do make things by 
hand, but have a huge reputation, and an even more sophisticated skill of reaching people willing to buy products that are not duplicated, or made in high volume. 

Sure, woodworking is a pastime for many people, a way to spend vacation, or a weekend making custom 
cabinets, toys, or woodcrafts.  Many do it as an escape, or to make things for around the shop or the house.  
The business angle is not that critical for many people, and like I mention in a few articles, business is determined to be difficult to discuss.  To the true artisan who hasn't the need, a venture or becoming dependent upon making things is a whole new subject, and long delegated to the business or financial field.  Most business can be 
summed up in a few words....reputation, branding, reputation, and borrowing capital.  

They are holding on to, and only onto custom made, hand made processes which became 
obsolete when factories adopted standards, precision, and provided for the "economies of scale."

Sure, it is great to see someone build a one of a kind chair, but these are not the things that fill ocean liners 
with fine, machine made goods which grow an economy and which provide jobs. I have seen people go 
out of business using old methods of manufacturing, having little insight into the history, or principles 
behind precision gauging.... efficiency and accuracy. Most inner city's need occasional, some constant new, 
eager, talented people to practice principles, and  maintain and improve manufacturing.  Soon, we may 
have a whole new economy, new motors, new ideas, new devices, even new styles of furniture desired and produced in mass volumes.  

When manufacturing jobs do not multiply, often cities fall into disarray and become complacent, needing either manufacturers, or tax money to equip or to fund a new generation with a competent system of productivity. Hand made producers began to go out of fashion 200 years ago, but again, myths and misinformation have help keep them around. The TV news is often reporting  stories about "Hand made artists" but when we buy hand made goods, usually we are supporting the story behind the artist, the warm hearted days of old, the dream of the peaceful individual who has rejected modern methods. 

I have learned that not only have some schools stopped industrial arts classes, many students wait months at the beginning of the year to receive books. The books I include with my jigs are all on CD. They are for schools with technical education classes, woodworking, or industrial arts. What if you did have a shortage because of production errors, shipping delays or a simple oversight? I don’t mean to sound too forward, but you can save precious taxpayer money by showing students how to read my manuals and history e-books on a computer.

You can provide information that new students certainly need.  I attended high school woodworking.  For instance, I only recall studying a few of the historic characters in my book, "The 50 Giants of Industry."  I completed an accredited vocational school and that’s right, I never heard of many of the   "50 Giants."  Had I only been inspired by "The 50 Giants of Industry" alone, I would have been provided the connections necessary to become quite  competent in the production arts many years ahead of my time. I am not saying that the current school books or manuals lack any great material but meaningful solutions and techniques can mean the difference between a brilliant education, and an incomplete one.

Why do I say my books are working? Because I have had people download them.  Some say they will become "required reading" in their classes. The e-book "The 50 Giants of Industry" explains some of the top contributors to Industry, science, and productivity. It is easy to read and download in seconds.