r/manufacturing • u/fafaxsake • 2d ago
Other How to test for mechanical aptitude
I'm looking to expand my headcount by 2, but I want to hire the right people. We currently have a multiple choice mechanical aptitude test, but I would like to replace it with an actual, physical object the applicant would have to manipulate. Something where they are installing bolts that interfere if they do not follow a set of written directions. Or a simple object to bolt together.
Does anyone know of anything out there, or will I have to fab up my own?
6
u/madeinspac3 2d ago
We hire people with experience with specific tools and whatnot. We do a physical test to verify their understanding. If they struggle to use the tool or to do a simple task then we know.
5
u/dr_clyde31 1d ago
Tom Lipton uses a tool he calls the “busy box” for testing this exact thing.
http://oxtool.blogspot.com/2012/12/mechanical-dexterity-testing.html?m=1
1
7
u/Mklein24 2d ago
the spacial reasoning test is a great quick test to see how good someone is at visualizing 3d space. Everyone I've talked to who is good at design or manufacturing can do this test easily.
6
u/pentagon 1d ago
Did you read the link? They are really particular about sharing the test. Make you write an essay about your research.
3
u/moldyjim 2d ago
Hire a bicycle mechanic.
Every one of them I've worked with was a good worker with a really good grasp of mechanical things.
3
u/Ok-Pea3414 2d ago
Nobody mentions the biggest crime of the OP not not stating what position they're hiring for.
2
u/Tiny_Peach_3090 1d ago
Give them some parts to inspect. Some good and some slightly off. Check what they see.
Give them some bolts to turn. Pretty easy to gauge them based off that alone.
But honestly it’s not like people are born with a wrench in their hand. If they’re brave enough to go for it, cautious enough to keep their fingers and wanting to learn then they’ll make great craftsmen.
2
u/SinisterCheese 1d ago edited 1d ago
What you want is extremely difficult.
I'm from a welding and fabrication background and nowadays and engineer. What I consider a "good welder" or "skilled fabricator" is extremely different nowadays. You can be a great welder, and not know anything about theory, documentation or prints; in which case I can't take you. You can be able to know theory, documentation, and read prints, but lack the intuitive understanding of the welding process in practice. It is REALLY difficult, and generally we talk in extremes on this topic, rarely is anyone in the middle, and you'll maybe see one unicorn that handles all dimensions in your whole life.
I see people who have worked out on the field for a decade, and yet the completely lack 3D awareness in the sense of being able to imagine the tasks from prints and discussions. However when they move big steel parts to install them, they work excellent.
There are people who are machine operators that can press the green button, and take parts out and put material in, were carefully and efficiently; but once there is a slight hiccup beyond the normal parameters, they just freeze. Then there are operators who intuitively understand the machine at deep and complex level, and can fuck around with it to make it do things it isn't supposed to. I was a laser operator in a factory for a while, and the department leader used to be an operator, and was able to get a machine which the manufacturer said that CANT cut over 20 mm of mild, to cut 30 mm thick in decent enough quality. There was one operator who was a guru of material efficiency, and we occasionally cut extremely valuable metals like high purity tantalum; and this person could nest a 100x100 mm square to a 100,5 x 100,5 mm to a bit of scrap, in one go at the operator console. A tolerance which the machines own sensing system couldn't do.
Last company I was with, had a old fabrictor who could use flame and water spray to bend a thick sheet to just about any curve that was physically possible, or flame straighten just about any warped part true. But were just about OK in terms of welding.
It is really important that you do not expect to find an unicorn. Because you wont.
There is no universal test, because there is no universal skill. I knew welders who are amazing in shop, and absolute novices on sites.
I am an engineer nowadays. I have a very specific niche in which I am actually really good at. At everything else I'm probably closer to JUST below average than anything.
But here is a very important think to keep in mind: Do not underestimate women! Some of the best specialists I have met and known, who can humiliate any man in that specific field of work, have been women. The best TIG welder (and highest paid) I know, is a woman. Best fine mechanic is an old woman (they might have retired already). And there is a engineer who can take a glance of plans and tell you exactly the amount of material in metres and kilos and number of bolts and nuts that is required to make it happen, and they with in margins every god damn time. Also women tend to "fuck around" less, they tend to be more careful, more delicate, and basically always better at soft skills needed in tight work environments.
3
u/space-magic-ooo 2d ago
lol this is so dumb.
You should be hiring for attitude, drive, and intelligence.
I can TEACH someone how to follow directions and screw in some damn bolts in order.
Offer excellent pay and great benefits. No overtime. Just an attractive living wage.
Then have a simple conversation with people and ask them to tell you about themselves and why they want to work there.
If you can’t figure out from a simple conversation if the person is capable of following instructions and has a great attitude you want to foster and develop into a great employee I don’t know what to say.
If you are hiring a basic operator entry level position hiring someone based on drive, intelligence, and personality is even MORE important.
I would honestly be insulted if someone handed me a “basic follow instructions test” in an interview.
Or you could pay them for a working interview and see them on the floor.
1
u/whynautalex 1d ago
Eh depends on what you are looking for. For entry level or even mid level assembly positions it is 100% attitude over all else.
At a certain point it skills become a high priority. We make our welders do a sample aluminum or steel weld with the specific welding type they claim to be an expert on, our technicians and QA need to read a drawing and wiring diagram and answer questions based on the position, and engineers need to do a 30 minute presentation on a specific topic. If you don't have the expertise throwing people at a class won't help if they don't have a mentor.
If you shit on a 15 to 30 minute skill test your attitude isn't there to begin with. Even just can you follow a basic work instructions shows you are going to take the time to read, ask questions, and how you approach something new.
1
u/rosstein33 1d ago
Was looking for this comment so I'll cosign here.
I work in manufacturing. I hire for cultural fit, attitude, and I'm mindful for common sense and the perspection that the person can learn. Myself and my managers, supervisors, and leads will teach you everything you need to know.
One of our best employees worked at McDonald's before joining our team. Now he runs the entire material prep area, can run CNCs, and knows most of our miscellaneous process like parts cleaning, baking out materials, etc.
1
1
u/radix- 2d ago
I dont think there is a way tbh. You can ask for references and ask those references. You can look at their experience and ask semi-technical questions about specific things if you also have familiarity. But there's not a specific test that's worth a damn.
Otherwise, you generally know within 2-3 weeks if a mechanic either "gets it" or doesn't, and you ought to be hiring with a 2 month or so probationary period anyway.
1
u/Henrik-Powers 1d ago
If it’s industry specific then you can make up your own test, I’ve seen companies use things like legos or k’nex on applicants, you get to see if they follow directions and or only show a model if the completed model and they have to figure it out, adding a countdown timer adds to the pressure. When I was applying for the pipe fitter apprenticeship we had all kinds of crazy things from stacking blocks to get to a certain height without falling in 2 mins to pouring water into 2 specific ones, you were given 1 gallon and we needed to pour 1/3 into one and 2/3 into the other and could only use the 2/3 marked container, can’t remember exactly what that test is called. There was also one where you had to put some 3” no hub pipe into hangers that required the use of a ladder.
1
u/maximum-pickle27 1d ago
Funny but you would probably end up getting what you want if you just have them assemble a lego or knex model and timed them.
18
u/Choice-Strawberry392 2d ago
I've interviewed a bunch of technicians and engineers. Most of the book-smart folks can solve tests and puzzles. Sometimes they also know which end of a wrench to hold onto. Most of the shade-tree mechanics could recognize an over-tight bearing by ear. Sometimes they know how to read a technical drawing.
Mechanical intuition is a weird thing. Some folks show it in obvious ways, while others might struggle with a simple manipulative game, but have a sixth sense about how machines move in space, or where an electrical glitch is most likely.
I ask about hobbies. Design and 3D print parts for your drone? Build and drag race a custom car? Blacksmithing? These are folks who know how stuff works, and (importantly), they like it.
But hiring is always a little bit of a crapshoot. We've had very clever kids who could solve problems, but couldn't document their work for the next poor sap. We've had great mechanics who, when they made a rare error, would hide it, rather than admit it. Personality is fixed. Skills can be taught. So we keep that in mind.