Patternmakers make patterns in wood, plaster or metal using drafting, carpentry and metalworking skills while using shop mathematics.
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  • George B. Helman January 27, 2012 at 2:13pm

    Yes. It turned into a career that I will not forget and nerver regret. I retired an MLCS. As you know all E-8 and above MLs and PMs are MLs. I never understood that, but, I believe that I spent as many hours in the foundry as I did in the pattern shop. I live near Kings Bay Naval Submarine base where I just finished another 22 year career after the Navy. Take care.

  • Peter Brooks January 27, 2012 at 1:14pm

    I new it. Back row. second from left. How the hell are you doing. did you make the Navy your life? Did you make patterns your whole life?

  • George B. Helman January 27, 2012 at 1:08pm

    1st row standing second from the right.

  • Peter Brooks January 27, 2012 at 12:11pm

    That picture is of my graduating class. How Ironic. Are you in this picture too.

  • George B. Helman January 27, 2012 at 11:40am

    3439413110?profile=original

  • George B. Helman January 27, 2012 at 11:35am

    Peter, that would have been PM1 Turner. He could carve really well. I remember him having a Sprite roadster with a bull dog face for a horn cap and the center console was I beleive a very nice body of a woman. Anyway, we may have been in the same class. I was a PM2 at the time.  

  • Peter Brooks January 26, 2012 at 6:24pm

    I started A school in june of 73 and graduated in nov 73 We had three instructors. One we called pappy and the rest slip my mind but there was an old salt there with only one eye that gave me all my inspiration. What an artist. he drove an austin healy sprite and he carved bulldogs in the steering wheel hub. I have been carving ever since. Had quite a time. Best learning experience I ever had. Volleyball at lunch. 4 day work week. What more could a guy ask for. I'm proud to be among the few. Its a dying trade.

  • Michael A. Murray January 26, 2012 at 6:00pm

    Started A school in jun 1968 and graduated nov of the same year.Our instructor was a chief who once worked as a 14 y.o. apprentice installing tail sections on German WWll airplanes,although, sadly, I can't remember his name.

    Went aboard the the Hunley(AS31) and to the carpenter shop with Chief Reeves.

    Stayed there till the ship went to Guam when I was transferred to the Orion(AS17) and got an early out in Dec 1971

  • Michael Montoya November 6, 2010 at 3:36am
    I cross rated to Patternmaker in 91, and my first command was Subase Pearl Harbor, I relieved Dave Roberts as lead PM/Shop sup.
    Spent a lot of my off time practicing non-patternmaking woodworking skills. Loved the job!
    Left Hawaii to serve on the Simon Lake in La Madd. split my time between the carpentry shop and foundry and got a whole lot better,
    last PM to advance to PM1 before we got scattered into the wind.
    (Because of the rules, I was able to still retire a PM)
  • Jack Harris March 23, 2010 at 6:14pm
    I need help! I am making fiberglass and carbon fiber(vartm) for custom motorcycle and car parts.I would like to find a book to help me learn make some better patters.I have a complete cabinet shop i.e. lathe,radial arm,joiner, routers and can make etc ty
    panhandle_shovelheadrider@yahoo.com
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Forum

USS Vulcan AR5

I was in her Pattern Shop 1957 to 1960.Keeping skills alive I learned in Class A Patternmakers school and three years on the Vulcan I have retired as a carpenter/cabinet maker and now make furniture and musical instruments.I tried teaching Industrial Arts, but found it wasn't my forte. Neither was teaching science.  I just wanted to make things.I sure would like to reconnect with shipmates and old friends and find other PM's.I'd also like to find some info on my uncle Wiley J Taylor who talked…

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Started by Mack Monte Hoover
2 Replies

five months into retirement

Dec 28 was my final day of work in 2009. The next day we left for Florida for over three months. Came home for two weeks and flew back down and bought a place. So as long as health doesn't impair us, we will spend winter in Florida. What was most surprising to me was the fact that I walked away from the trade after 45 years and didn't so much as look over my shoulder. I thought this might be a problem. I will have to admit, in April when when we came home and hooked up computer, my ex boss knew…

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Started by Paul Beyer
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Ready to retire.

After 45 years of PatternMaking in industrial shops, but mostly job shops. I am counting my last 19 working days to close my box for the final time (well for pay anyway). It all started with training at the old Des Base in San Diego PM A School in the Navy. Then on to the U.S.S. Markab AR-23 in Alameda, under the leadership of H.M. Anderson and W. Bryant, both first class P.O.'s. After my four years in the Navy and two trips west pac, I settled in Iowa, finishing my apprenticeship in the trade.…

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Started by Paul Beyer
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