The art of shaping metal
A flange turner specializes in the art of shaping metal into complex and intricate shapes for shipboard application, but that’s not the extent of the work. In a world where technology changes rapidly and machines are made to replace tasks once completed by hand, there remains a gap for the artisans who for generations have held hot metal with tongs, then hit and molded it with wooden mallets. For these tasks, a master who’s not afraid to try something unconventional and risk failure is needed.
Nine teammates make up the group at PSNS & IMF today, each intent on teaching or learning the trade. They do this by taking jobs no one else is willing to try, and they’ve never taken on a job they didn’t complete. Ship repair, maintenance and much more depends on their skill.
There are five different types of jobs within the flange turners: press operator, roll operator, hot work, press brakes and miscellaneous machinery. The skills needed vary, but a seasoned flange turner has experience and failures with each.
“Every job presents a multitude of challenges,” said Sam Pruiett, assistant product line manager in Code 1060, and 28-year PSNS & IMF employee. “Every turner has his own way of doing a job. Every job can deviate from the previous, and it takes time and patience and sometimes failing and reworking before you find the right way to complete the task.”
Ron Jackson, equipment manager and 34-year employee, agrees. “You have to be allowed to try, to do different things to find out what the best way to do a job is. Some are better at one thing, and that’s great—we can go to them for the things they’ve mastered. Others might be more apt to do many different jobs. The great thing is if they’ve learned overall and aren’t disheartened by setbacks—they’re willing to take a step back and be flexible—then they become better at the craft.”
Job variety
Teaching the new tradesmen is a big part of what happens today. The future is bright, as there will always be plenty of work in the trade. The group’s done a variety of jobs on ships and submarines and in tooling and die-making. From repairing wave damage on sponsons of aircraft carriers, to re-forming steel for submarines —they’ve done it all.
“One of the really positive changes that came along for us was the development of Product Lines,” said Pruiett. “In the past, the shop personnel didn’t always have the means to get to know people from other shops and communicate about what needed to be done. With Product Lines, there’s more of an initiative to work together and understand how one can help the other. Everyone’s brought closer together and can work as a team to accomplish tasks. There’s a greater sense of community.”
“What I like the most is that not many here or anywhere else do what we do,” said Deshawn Dixon, flange turner helper, who has worked at the Command for just under two years. “When you are able to watch someone do a job—like roll valves for a submarine—and they let you take the lead, it’s important to stay calm and composed and learn. Some parts might be non-replaceable, so you’ve got to concentrate and learn from experienced people before you try it yourself.”
This combination of art and science creates a passion in the work for future tradesmen, like Dixon.
“I love being able to work here. I love how the people who’ve been here most of their lives build and shape me into a better person. I hope this is my life career,” he said.
Beyond the gate
This sentiment also means that sometimes the application of skills learned here stretches outside the gate. Patrick Cartwright Jr., a 17-year employee, is one such example; he continues his artistry at home on personal projects.
“I’ve done fabricating and welding on various projects for a long time—I started around the age of 13,” he said. “After working with the drillers and later on with the flange turners, I knew this profession would be a good fit for me—metal working is in my heart and blood.”
Last fall Cartwright made a rose out of forged re-bar.
“I had a vision of what I wanted and I started the long process of forming each piece by hand, creating the final art piece,” he said. “When I finished it (or anything I’ve made) I get the greatest joy by gifting it to a friend or loved one, and seeing the look in their eyes.”
Touring the shop and listening to the stories each teammate told about their experiences, it was easy to understand that turning steel is far more than a job to them—it’s an extension of their creativity and perseverance—a testament to the legacy of our Command.
Date Taken: | 03.23.2017 |
Date Posted: | 01.26.2018 15:09 |
Story ID: | 263409 |
Location: | BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, US |
Web Views: | 26 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Turning metal, shaping steel more than a job—for some; it’s art from the heart, by Michele L Fletcher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.