In the Autumn of 1735, when Brindley was nineteen years of age, an event occurred which was to demolish the opinions of Bennett and his fellow workers as to his being the 'bungling apprentice' that his master called him:       At Macclesfield, in Cheshire, a mill was seriously damaged by fire and Bennett was invited to effect repairs. James Brindley was given the job of removing the damaged machinery, supervised by the factory superintendent, Mr James Milner. Brindley impressed Milner with his remarks as to the cause of the fire and his opinion upon how best to avoid a recurrence. Consequently, Milner sought Bennett's permission for Brindley to be involved in executing the repairs; permission which was reluctantly granted.       Bennett closely watched Brindley, but Milner encouraged the young apprentice in his work towards the satisfactory completion of his part in the job. Accounts record Brindley as saying: "I can yet remember the delight which I felt when my work was fixed and fitted complete; and I could not understand why my master and the other workmen, instead of being pleased, seemed to be dissatisfied with the insertion of every fresh part in its proper place."

The completion of the repairs was followed by the customary repast at the local tavern, during which Brindley's share in the work was much ridiculed by the men, under the tongue-loosening influence of the beer. James Milner, certainly Brindley's friend, parried the ridicule by saying: "I will wager a gallon of the best ale in the house, that before the lad's apprenticeship is out he will be a cleverer workman than any here, whether master or man."

Before the end of the third year of Brindley's apprenticeship his master, Bennett, had to acknowledge that Brindley was not the 'fool' and 'blundering blockhead' whom Bennett and his men derided. Whenever the neighbouring millers needed machinery repairing they would especially request 'the young man Brindley' in preference to any other workman, even in preference to the master himself, in some cases. Bennett's enquiry of Brindley as to where he had gained his knowledge of mill work drew the answer that "it comes naturally".

Brindley showed that he was able to work with his head, as well as his hands. His execution of mill repairs would, if he saw the need, lead him to suggest alterations and improvements, particularly in regard to the application of water power.

Samuel Smiles records that Bennett's reaction upon inspecting one of Brindley's repairs to some gearing was to complain about the superior quality of the work by commenting: "Jem, if thou persist in this foolish way of working, there will be very little trade left to be done when thou comes out of thy time: thou knaws firmness of wark's th'ruin o'trade." Brindley's integrity was such that he would not be swayed by such an unscrupulous suggestion, believing the execution of the best possible work to be the duty of the craftsman.

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