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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 12 (April 1, 1929)

Sheet-Metal Working

page 61

Sheet-Metal Working.

One of the most important branches of the great engineering industry of our time, and one destined to play an increasingly important part in the future, is that branch which has to do with sheet metal working.

Before the Great War this work had become an essential factor in practically every branch of the metal trade, and, during the war, suddenly sprung into greater prominence, but, since then, owing to the lack of skilled tradesmen, its progress has been seriously handicapped.

To-day, more than ever, the sheet metal working trade offers unusual opportunities to young men who possess the necessary training. The work is interesting, is not detrimental to health, nor is it dangerous. Moreover, the wages paid to competent men compare favourably with other skilled trades.

The greater part of the world's iron tonnage is rolled into sheets and sold to manufacturers, for sheet metal possesses qualities that make it the principal material for numerous products used in the home, office and factory, on the farm, in railroads, rolling stock, automobiles and ships.

Then again, the enforcement of stringent fire laws is necessitating the replacement of wood by sheet metal in many structures. Not only is sheet metal more economical, fireproof, lighter in weight, and more durable than wood, but the finished product presents a pleasing appearance.

Building ten second-class cars at the Department's Workshops in Auckland.

Building ten second-class cars at the Department's Workshops in Auckland.

Railway and shipyard managements, as well as the makers of automobiles, aeroplanes and trucks, metal furniture, ceiling, and roofing manufacturers, are now looking to technical schools for assistance in the training of apprentices.

Sheet metal is intimately connected with the building trade, and the amount expended for cornice work, ornamental ceilings, and ventilators, etc., is rapidly increasing.

Sheet metal is taking the place of wood in much of the new work being done by the Railway Department, and this trade will be one of the most important in connection with the building of carriages, ‘bus bodies and office furniture.

This brief outline of the sheet metal working industry shows a wide field of opportunity for the apprentice in sheet metal working as well as for the tinsmith—who was wont to complain that, owing to the introduction of modern methods which produce rapidly, and in greater quantities, the tinware he formerly turned out with great skill by hand, his trade is now of less importance.

Sheet metal working is not the vocation of a “jack-of-all-trades,” but an art that, if once acquired and followed with an ambition that does not die on the threshold, will develop trained workers fully qualified to solve the sheet metal problems arising in every shop.