Replies

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Nov 30, 2008 05:47pm | #1

   Two of our grandkids were here for Thanksgiving for a couple days.  Sam, 4 ½, and Eva, 3. 

    

   Within minutes of getting out of the car Sam said he wanted us to make a race car and he wanted to paint it.  We made a Corvette and then while I worked on a truck and flatbed trailer to haul the car on, Sam painted his race car.  He picked green.  While he was painting it, he said, “I don’t want any of this brown to show.”  By brown, he meant the wood.  He painted it thoroughly.

    

   He painted the bottom and one side and then I told him we would wait an hour so that it would dry.  He told me that if I would blow warm air on it it would dry quicker.  Smart kid!    

    

   Eva, after seeing Sam’s green race car told me she wanted a Sleeping Beauty car.  I asked her what it would look like.  She said, “Pink!” 

    

   The “Corvette” simply follows an outline we have used before.  The truck is just freehand and made to fit the car.  See attached photos.  (And, yes, Sam and I talked about safety and where he could put his hands and where he could not.)

    

   Yep, we’re havin’ fun.  Happy Thanksgiving.

    

   Alan - planesaw

   
1. 
   photonut | Dec 02, 2008 05:43pm | #7

   It's great that you are introducing the grand kids to woodworking. The first thing you should introduce them to is shop safety. Sam is operating a drill press without safety glasses. His face is extremely close to the drill bit. It may seem trivial to wear safety glasses while painting, but I have had paint in my eyes, and it is very unpleasant. One bad experience, and they may lose their interest in woodworking, not to mention how awful you would feel if they were injured. Please give them both a pair of safety glasses for Christmas.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 03, 2008 12:44am | #9

   Photonut-

   Thank you!!!!!  Sam always asks for earmuffs (hearing protection) and I have never had him close to a piece of equipment while it was on -- until this time.

   I hate to think it, much less admit it -- I simply wasn't thinking about safety glasses.  And I do have them, and use them.

   We did talk about safety in the form of he was not to touch the bit, or that area; that his hand was to be only on the handle with mine. 

   Thanks for pointing the lack of safety glasses out.  And, you bet, I would have been devastated if something had happened.

   Alan - planesaw

   Edited 12/2/2008 4:47 pm ET by Planesaw

2. 
   rhagenstein | Nov 30, 2008 07:00pm | #2

   I am going to try my hand at turning a bowl.  I have a nice spalted birch blank and the use of a friends lathe.  We'll see how it goes.

   For the past few years I have been making oval shaker boxes.  I made up all of the forms etc. for sizes #0 - #5.  Now the only problem is keeping track of which sizes I have given which distant family member.  It is a good repeat gift as the boxes nest inside one another so over the years people can collect the whole set (if my attention doesn't drift over the years!).  If you are making a few at a time, I find that the whole investment in each box is about 1 1/2 hours.   Go to John Wilson's site for tools, materials, and gobs of good information.  http://www.shakerovalbox.com/

   Randy

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 01, 2008 12:21am | #3

   Randy,

   Hey, same boat here.  Made everything from #8s to #000.  Trying to remember who I gave what has resulted in having to keep records.  The nesting concept is good in that the relatives like that.  So, another gift of the same thing (but different size) is considered good.

   Alan - planesaw

3. 
   GRW | Dec 01, 2008 02:47pm | #4

   Boilerbay,

   I built more Christmas presents than I usually do. They are...

   1) building blocks for a fairly new addition to the family. My niece.

   2) short stool for a little family member who needs help to reach the plumbing.

   3) two plant tables for the gardener in the family.

   4) three "gout boards". These are foot rests.

   5) small end tables for the golf freaks in the family.(husband and wife)  These folks need drink/snack tables for their easy chairs in a newly renovated familyroom. See pics. sorry about the sizing.

   GRW

    

   
4. 
   Woodrat1 | Dec 01, 2008 06:21pm | #5

   This year's holiday schedule is packed with wayyyyy too much
   to afford much time in the shop for gifts. All I'm doing this year
   is mass production of 6 blue bird houses. Easy stuff that I can
   knock off in a night or two - if my bride allows the time!

   Most of our friends & family are nature lovers - so this will
   be an easy & cost effective season!

   Bill-

   http://www.franklinwoodwright.com
5. 
   BruceS | Dec 02, 2008 03:38am | #6

   Just turned a spalted maple burl, lidded bowl for my sister.  Precut  bluebird house kits for my four Grandsons.  But they will have to read my instructions and build and paint them by themselves.   Yes,  I will over see them in my shop and assist when needed.

   There will be more.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

6. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 02, 2008 10:50pm | #8

   I'm cutting out little name-plate-like messages for everyone on the scroll saw. They all say, "bah-humbug!" ;-)