Ever wonder how Tim got to be so passionate about tools and building things. I think he mentioned he got it from his dad, however that was only part of it. The other part came from Art Leonard, his old high school shop teacher. Tim happened to run into Mr. Leonard in town visiting his family and invited him over for dinner. After all, this is the same man who saw the crooked tool box Tim had made, as well as a toilet paper bazooka that can T.P. a house in seconds, and still passed him. What kind of man was brave enough allow Tim anywhere near power tools? Well, when Mr. Leonard came over for dinner that night, the first impression given is that he's a tough, no-nonsense man, but very polite and cordial. He talks about his retirement and how he hates it, and then he and the family have a few good laughs at Tim's expense. Over dinner, he tells them all about what a daredevil Tim was in shop class, up to and including a piece of a table to his head. Unfortunately, he never learns from his mistakes. Going by everything Mr. Leonard has said, it's a wonder Tim was never expelled. It seems everybody, including the mayor, wanted Tim taken out of shop class, but Leonard ignored them because of the potential he saw in him and knew he belonged. Gosh, I hope nothing happens to make him regret that.
Next day, Tim invites Mr. Leonard to be on Tool Time in a special salute to shop class. As an extra incentive, Tim has also invited all 3 of Mr. Leonard's OTHER shop students, one being Benny Baroni who STILL hasn't turned in a birdhouse, and together, they're all going to work with sheet metal and make their own tool boxes. Tim hands over the reigns to Leonard, who seemed to be having a little difficulty in working the cutter. He became very defensive when Tim tried to help. Matters weren't helped when Tim tries to take away the cutters and make the cut himself. Leonard was furious. He chastised Tim and walked off the set. When Tim gets home, he tells Jill about what happened, and despite her trying to tell him he was right for helping a man who looked like he needed it, Tim was still ashamed of what he did, because it made Mr. Leonard look like half a man. He has a talk with Wilson, who helps Tim see that a man is more than just what he can do with his hands, and also helps him realize that old age may slow you down physically, but it can never change who you are, and in this case, that applies to Mr. Leonard. The spirit is willing, but the arthritis prevents him from cutting like a pro. So, Tim heads out to Toledo to apologize to Mr. Leonard man to man. His former shop teacher has become a real doubting Thomas, agonizing over how he's unable to perform the magic he used to. Tim gives him a pep talk, telling him he was a great teacher not just because of physical skill, but because of his passion, and for believing in guys like Tim. So, they made amends, and Mr. Leonard even helps his former student build another tool box. This time he does it properly. He also goes back to toilet paper by creating an automatic dispenser.
We finally get to meet Tim's old shop teacher, Art Leonard, played to perfection by character actor Dick O'Neill. Leonard appears twice more in this season and then is never seen or heard from again. It seems as though shop may be a dying art-form in schools. I'm not sure, but it seems every time there's a budget discussion, they seem to nix shop in favor of, say, some computer class. What, like they're cheaper to run? Mankind needs to always know how to build things with their hands, and it's a shame people like Mr. Leonard and Tim are in short supply. If you're passionate about shop class, or if your memories of it aren't so fond, this would still be a good episode to check out. It's a good character builder and it has plenty of funny moments. Ye Olde Shop Teacher really makes the grade.
Next day, Tim invites Mr. Leonard to be on Tool Time in a special salute to shop class. As an extra incentive, Tim has also invited all 3 of Mr. Leonard's OTHER shop students, one being Benny Baroni who STILL hasn't turned in a birdhouse, and together, they're all going to work with sheet metal and make their own tool boxes. Tim hands over the reigns to Leonard, who seemed to be having a little difficulty in working the cutter. He became very defensive when Tim tried to help. Matters weren't helped when Tim tries to take away the cutters and make the cut himself. Leonard was furious. He chastised Tim and walked off the set. When Tim gets home, he tells Jill about what happened, and despite her trying to tell him he was right for helping a man who looked like he needed it, Tim was still ashamed of what he did, because it made Mr. Leonard look like half a man. He has a talk with Wilson, who helps Tim see that a man is more than just what he can do with his hands, and also helps him realize that old age may slow you down physically, but it can never change who you are, and in this case, that applies to Mr. Leonard. The spirit is willing, but the arthritis prevents him from cutting like a pro. So, Tim heads out to Toledo to apologize to Mr. Leonard man to man. His former shop teacher has become a real doubting Thomas, agonizing over how he's unable to perform the magic he used to. Tim gives him a pep talk, telling him he was a great teacher not just because of physical skill, but because of his passion, and for believing in guys like Tim. So, they made amends, and Mr. Leonard even helps his former student build another tool box. This time he does it properly. He also goes back to toilet paper by creating an automatic dispenser.
We finally get to meet Tim's old shop teacher, Art Leonard, played to perfection by character actor Dick O'Neill. Leonard appears twice more in this season and then is never seen or heard from again. It seems as though shop may be a dying art-form in schools. I'm not sure, but it seems every time there's a budget discussion, they seem to nix shop in favor of, say, some computer class. What, like they're cheaper to run? Mankind needs to always know how to build things with their hands, and it's a shame people like Mr. Leonard and Tim are in short supply. If you're passionate about shop class, or if your memories of it aren't so fond, this would still be a good episode to check out. It's a good character builder and it has plenty of funny moments. Ye Olde Shop Teacher really makes the grade.
