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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Charlestown NSW
    Age
    65
    Posts
    1,669

    Default Nothing is student proof

    As most here probably know, I work as a Technical Assistant for TAFE NSW. One of the depts I work in is Civil Engineering where I help maintain surveying equipment (as well as a heap of stuff etc. Bit of a "go for" really)

    Check this out. Trimble Tribrach. A new one with the optical plummet is just under $800.

    In case you don’t know what it does,
    The tribrach is set up on a set of legs (tripod), the top plate of the tribrach is levelled using the 3 adjusting screws and then its centred over the mark on the ground (using the optical plummet in this case)

    The instrument has 3 notched pins protruding from the bottom that go into the holes in the top of the Tribrach.
    There is a notched plate in the tribrach under where the instrument sits that is turned by a knob on the side. This plate engages with the instrument pins and locks the instrument to the tribrach.

    The knob just operates a simple lever with a plastic block that fits into the side of the lock plate assembly. Somehow the little darlings have turned the knob that hard that they have managed to force the plastic block out of place so now the lock plate can’t be turned. It’s got me stuffed how they managed it. The knob is held onto the shaft with a small pin approx. 1mm in dia. I’m surprised the knob didn’t break where the pin goes through.
    I’m going to have to disassemble the whole thing to fix it. Helps keep me in a job I suppose.
    peter

    tri top 003.jpgtri side 004.jpgtri 002.jpgtri 001.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Brute force and stupidity works all the time. Sometimes I wonder where their inteligence comes from, do they think that by stuffing it up, they'll get out of learning something????
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    I have met a few students in my time like that "if tight is good then tighter must be better"

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Bolle.

    I can picture it. I can near bet it is the work of a PreVoc student.In contrast a misfit apprentice usually doesn't do this stuff as he/she answers to employers though like everything there are exceptions.

    The attitudes of some of them are beyond comprehension of normal folk.

    Some damages are just malicious intent where others are an exercise in applied stupidity. You know the sort - can break an anvil with a rubber hammer.

    Some of these cretins think the system has a bucketful of money to replace equipment.

    I can empathise with you mate!

    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Charlestown NSW
    Age
    65
    Posts
    1,669

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    Hi Bolle.

    I can picture it. I can near bet it is the work of a PreVoc student.In contrast a misfit apprentice usually doesn't do this stuff as he/she answers to employers though like everything there are exceptions.

    The attitudes of some of them are beyond comprehension of normal folk.

    Some damages are just malicious intent where others are an exercise in applied stupidity. You know the sort - can break an anvil with a rubber hammer.

    Some of these cretins think the system has a bucketful of money to replace equipment.

    I can empathise with you mate!

    Grahame
    There was a group of Cert 3 surveying students late last year who tore the ends clean off two almost new 30m fibreglass tapes and one 8m steel tape all in one morning. They blamed the wind but it seems certain teachers have more damage with their classes than others.
    Another time a student had a $15K Total Station set up and moved away from it for some reason (which they are not supposed to do) just as a gust of wind came through which blew the instrument over. Now its a $15K telescope.
    Aah, well it helps keep the money in circulation.
    p

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    My experience was that the Pvoc groups that had an adult learner or two among them were a lot more stable.

    The adults would not tolerate someone with a poor attitude creating obstacles. Imagine a almost middle aged bloke with a couple of kids who was self enrolled trying to transition from a laboring background into a trade, sort of situation. Those persons have a lot riding on successfully completing the course.

    In our metal-fab areas there were 2 person sound reduction grinding booths -not really sound proof ,but you get the picture.

    On a few occasions, I suspect these areas were used for a "quiet chat" between older person and young ratbag as I observed marked " behavior improvements" from the younger one after the two had been using the grinder booths.

    I don't know if its possible these days mature students with the adolescents but it seem to work well.As well the older guys were able to mentor some of the worthwhile kids and co support their learning.

    The system is possibly too period correct for it too happen now.

    Grahame

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    If someone tried to do that nowdays, the "kids" would probably tell the older person where to go, in a not so polite manner!!!!
    It seems the younger generation don't respect anything or anyone anymore.
    kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    Funny how that last post by Grahame has come up !

    Just yesterday I was at a local shop buying some chocolate, when a youth elbowed me aside and demanded that the girl behind the counter get him some drinking straws. I must admit my reaction was to ask him if he knew what "Please" was. He looked at me as though I was daft and the woman behind me admonished him with "Don't you have any manners" ! It must have been his mother stood near the door, because she called him by name and said "how many times do you have to be told". I've never seen a boy blush before...
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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