How many members do we have here that have family members to pass down their wood skills too ?

I have 4 grandson, 2 are somewhat interested in what Pappy does and really appreciate the gifts they get from my shop. Personally I can't wait till they are old enough to introduce them to the tools and skills of wood working. At the 3 to 4 year ago group, they are way too young and their attention span way too short. But I have pre-cut wooden pieces and had them help nail them together building a bird house that they could take home and hang up to watch the birds live in it. They got to paint them and have made comments about doing this again. So how many other members do we have here with this type of opportunity to pass on the skills and experience to? Not to mention how close the bonding is when working together in that environment. Nothing beats the smile of a little child's face when they accomplish something, and nothing makes the heart leap with joy at the same time. This can be members of the family, children of neighbors what ever. So how about sharing your experience with us.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Wayne I have three granddaughters and one 16 month old grandson. My oldest granddaughter likes to come to the shop sometimes when they come and visit and help me. She was wanting to raise a little money for church camp and a school trip the Nation's Capital. She wanted to help me in the shop for some funds. (didn't know I would have given them to her anyway.) So she came out and helped sand the last batch of cutting boards I made and then went to the craft show with me and stood at the table. I gave her what we made that night and it thrilled her. She is 12 and want to learn how to turn a pen and make a few other things.

 

Both of my sons work in construction so they do their woodworking at work. They will help me if I need it but they really don't want to come out to the shop every night after a day of construction. Maybe one day they will find it as relaxing as I do.

 

It is a great thing to pass down. I learned a lot from my Dad and am thankful I got to spend some time working with him.

 

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

none here.

On my Dad's side of the family were multi-generational carpenters having passed the trade from father to son. But my great grandfather had all girls and their husbands were not drawn to it. So he tried to get my Dad to apprentice with him, but that didn't work out as my Dad was a wrench turner as well as working in metal. I learned mechanics from him from a very young age starting by holding the flashlight and then moving up to handing him wrenches.

As for me I got my start in woodworking while I was a Webelo Scout and our group leader had a full metal and wood shop on his property and he helped us make a few things. Then in Jr. High I got into wood shop and fell in love with it. I did 2 years of wood shop in High School until they cancelled it due to lack of funding. I got married at 21 and did minor work around the house but nothing that was really wood working. But in 1996 after I had a work injury to my back and 3 surgeries which disabled me, I started playing around with wood for sanity sake and it grew from there. I tried with both of my son and daughter (22 and 19 now) but neither one has any interest in wood working at all. So I am flying solo on this hobby.I do have a number of my great grandfather's tools that I use today. I have a small square with rosewood scale handles that was his that he carried every day in his tool belt. It has one edge rounded over from his constant use of it sliding it in and out of his tool belt. The date stamp on it is in the late 1800's and it lives in the pocket of my shop aprone and gets used all the time.

I agree Wayne, nothing beats the smile on a child's face when they pick up a new experience or a new tool. I am getting ready to pull my son in the shop and get him going on planing some scraps, he loves to pound nails into wood, he'll sit on the floor of the shop, with his legs crossed and just pound away, both hands on the handle. He is ready for new lessons.

 

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

I have an 8 year old step son who has just recently started showning an interest in what I do all day. He is interested in the workbench I am building and wants one for himself (like I have room). There is also a young man in my neighborhood who is 11 years old and absolutely loves woodworking. I gave him my old workbench and a few tools so he could practice at home. I think that what we, as woodworkers, do is very important in this day and age. We make things ourselves, for ourselves and others, and we are craftsmen. That alone is rare today. I am more than happy to pass my knowledge on to anybody who is interested. I share my tricks and secrets along with anything else that will help another learn our craft. We are a dying breed in the days of mass produced junk.

 

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Adam Welker
Red Car Construction and Fine Woodworking

Adam

I completely agree. Too many things are fast produced. Imported and with young of today growing up thinking this is the way it is supposed to be is just wrong. Fast food, fast cabinets,tables chairs ... everything. It is seriously nice to teach the youth ( any one else too ) the old world craftsmanship and pride . That is why I started this post in this forum.  I'm glad you have 2 younger craftsmen interested. I'm sure you will spend the time to teach them the right way.

 

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

 

My grandfather was a woodworker and my father was in construction many years ago.I went with him once in a while to help out. I did a lot of different projects under his watchful eye. We built a desk, a slot-car box and with his pride and joy, a new ShopSmith, I turned some plates and bowls, among other things.

But for the most part, his skills passed me by (I would rather work on cars etc.back in my younger days)

I have 3 sons and the oldest is a wood worker. He has the nack to make most anything. I keep telling him his grandfather would be proud! His son, who is 15, is becoming a very good wood worker. He's right there helping dad or me on many projects.

Here for the last 5 years, I've gotten back into it and I'm getting back into the swing of being able to turn out a few fun projects.

 

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HARRY
BULLDOG WOODWORKING.MONTANA

Good Morning Wayne,

Since I have no family member to pass the trade onto, I am teaching anyone who is interested in learning woodworking as well as to offer learning information of these very and other forums and I figure that if only one person learns from my suggestions then I have met my intended goal.

Hello Wayne,

As of now I have a trainee who drives 45 minutes one way to be in my shop to learn and it gives me great pleasure that he is as excited to learn as he is and not only that but, I have another coming in from either Colorado or Nebraska and his father has stated that he would help fund RJW America Inc. Hopefully I will hear from them next week.

Ralph

That is great news. Passing down a lifetime of knowledge and skills in no easy task. I honestly wish my Son would grab the interest but don't look like that is going to happen. I take my hat off to you for your tasks at hand, especially with everything going on in your household. As alwaya my thoughts and prayers are with you and our family.

 

 

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Arlin

I am so happy to hear this. Passing the interest down is a wonderful thing. No matter how small the part seems at the time. There are plenty of guides available to the toxicity of wood. You may want to check out the Dept. of Forestry site. I do believe they have a list there. If not let me know and I will post links accordingly.

 

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

I have one daughter and a step-daughter that are very interested at woodworking. They are only 5 and 4, so it is hard to tell the commitment yet, but they are always following me around and watching what I am doing. This is good as my grandfather passed his woodworking tools down to me and I'll pass those same tools down to them (I hope).

 

My father on the other hand, started a small casket making business a few years ago and now he is at the point where he cannot keep up with demand. He wants me to give up on sheep and help him out, but I am not so sure yet. Perhaps it will be something I take over down the road yet. Maybe a wool-lined casket will be all the rage 10 years from now. (LOL)