Talking about the hammer swinging was more trying to illustrate how something simple can actually be a lot more complicated to carry out in actual practice. Not

Talking about the hammer swinging was more trying to illustrate how something simple can actually be a lot more complicated to carry out in actual practice. Not what I think was the likely limiting factor in learning this riveting process, not sure they would have been using an actual hammer, hopefully they had hydraulic hammers to do the physical part! It was a unclear example for illustrating learning processes that require physical dexterity and manipulation of materials can actually be more complicated than initially appear. I was more thinking I can see how you can arrange it so welding would require less of these skills before you can be 'productive'. Alignment tolerance, fitment etc. Getting good welds on the other hand that would pass modern inspection... Without understanding the actual processes and the expectations of what was required of riveters vs. welders don't feel I can say anything. I think I was more commenting on the grandparents dismissive stance on riveting not being that hard to learn! I have a similar experience to you also growing up on a farm, and also from watching others learn physical skills when I was working as a carpenter and a little bit of blacksmithing.