SOLVED. YA SF Machinist Book As part of his training, he is studying to become a machinist. For his final grade, he has to make an object from plans [s]

[Bargle]

I read this one 10+ years ago. Male lead character. He is in his teens at the time. He is attending some sort of school. As part of his training, he is studying to become a machinist. For his final grade, he has to make an object from plans, I think. Another student that he has been at odds with substitutes a poorly made version. This prevents the lead from being considered for a job/assignment he had hoped for. Near the end of the book, he finds out about the substitution, but forgives the other boy because that is the more mature thing to do.

The book was promoted as being the style of story that Heinlein wrote for YA books, but it was not by him. I think it was published in the 80s, but I'm not sure. I think it was a male author.

[Justanotherbiblophile]

I read one near this (or was it yours?), MC ends up becoming a space-cop/security dude due to opponent's cheating (but don't recall that it was machinist that he was going for originally).

If that sounds correct, I'll go digging...

[Bargle]

Very well could be. I just don't remember any other details.

[Serendi]

It's one of the Jupiter novels, variously written by Charles Sheffield, Jerry Pournelle, and James P. Hogan. This one is Outward Bound by James P. Hogan, and is my favorite of the series.

[Bargle]

That's it. Thanks, Serendi.

"Outward Bound" by James Hogan