For years, I had hoped to teach some of my off spring just something I had learned from watching videos, YouTubes, reading books and forums and it seemed hopeless until today.  Yes, he is only 12 and I allowed him to use the skew chisel to put a couple lines around the handle.  Here he is sanding.  I am so sorry that I did not get a picture of him with the skew in his hand.  First picture he is sanding on top of the handle, second is under the handle.  Now, he is anxious to turn.  I have some stuff for him to do but it will have to be dry and warm again.  

 

Steve

 

 

Fantastic! Feed his desire and make it fun!

This is so awesome! Great job, and I love his machine he's turning on!

By the way, I moved this wonderful topic to the Turners Forum.

45 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

Now, he is anxious to turn.

EXCELLENT!!!

Perfect!!!

Excellent, starting young!

 

Steve

You have given him a wonderful gift that will last his entire life.   

Steve, that is great!  And kids get so excited when they see a completed project that will actually be useful and appreciated too.

 

And please take this in the spirit in which it is given... but I would have made him roll the sleeves up on his jacket... no loose clothing around the lathe here...

 

 

 

Gator...you've just completed the ultimate project...imparting your knowledge, gift and passion to a new generation.

Kudos to you and THANKS for sharing this...not bragging at all...challenge for all of us to do likewise.

Edited December 16, 20187 yr by Grandpadave52

Cal, thank you for pointing that out.  We did go over some basic safety rules and that was one of them.  We had the sleeves pushed up and they would vibrate down.  Just a note to broaden this safety rule is no jewelry, no long hair, no scarves, or anything that is hanging or dangling as it can get caught instantly and be seriously dangerous or injurious.  I appreciate you commenting on this point.  

 

Another point that should be posted is that I should have put a filter on him.  He was sanding off the finish which I suspect was polyurethane.  Just the dust is dangerous to breathe.  I am sorry that I did not do that, but I hope to get another chance as he wants to turn.  Next project will be a little bowl for keeping the baby teeth of his cousin.  It will have a lid, so he'll progress from roughing gouge to the fingernail gouge and I will set up a forstner bit on the tail stock.  I am really scared to introduce the skew except for cutting lines.  I had a hard time learning and was fearful of that chisel.  Still am.  But, I love the way it cuts.  

 

One of the safety rules we discussed was that he continue looking at the spinning object and his hands while his hands were on the handle.  To not look away until his hands were clear of the rotation force.  And, to only put his hands back when he was watching the object.  He never took his look until he dropped his hands and turned off the switch.  For his first try, he was excellent.  

 

These are good points to remember when considering getting into this art form.  

I’d brag too. Glad to see the acorn is not falling far from the tree. (Wow a wood/tree reference, sometimes I just crack myself up). In this day of computers/smart phones/etc it’s so good to see some kids getting a mechanical minded reference point. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of his friends wanted some lessons also.

Some of the best experiences in my life have been seeing the facial expressions, and hearing the " thank-you" from men and women I had the pleasure of teaching to become certified welders. What you've taught him is forever, and tightens the bond between you. Well done Steve ! 

4 minutes ago, It Was Al B said:

Some of the best experiences in my life have been seeing the facial expressions, and hearing the " thank-you" from men and women I had the pleasure of teaching to become certified welders. What you've taught him is forever, and tightens the bond between you. Well done Steve ! 

Could not agree more! That look that says "I Got It" is so satisfying! I still have former students stop by and thank me for providing them the path to a career. 

Thanks, gentlemen.  This makes me so happy.  Right now, I am getting a piece of mulberry and a piece of wild cherry ready for him to turn.  I hope I remember to take pictures of his path so it can be documented.  And, I hope he shows to his classmates so he can brag.  

Making a square peg to fit a round hole. . .

 

Today's lesson was to turn a square piece of cherry into something round.  I had to assist him in holding the chisels so I only got one picture.  But, please notice the turn in the direction he is going.  He did super well with a roughing gouge and the spindle gouge.  I showed him the cut off tool, how to use calipers to make the desire size and a couple of things.  He is going to take this a step at a time.  Now, he understands what can happen with a scrap piece of lumber.  This was a leg of a cherry bed.  The former owners tossed it by the street.  Someone took the railings, so I took the wood.  More projects coming from the flat pieces of the wood.  Thank you for your encouragement.

 

 

turning things is fun, but you have to think backwards.

 

it's a subtractive process.  you are taking away what you don't want, so you end up with what you want.

 

the fun part is when mom, or a friend asks "can you make me a ________?"  sure.  and off he goes to make something that meets someone else's needs.

Kudos Gator...loving these mentor shots and updates.

15 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Making a square peg to fit a round hole. . .

 

Today's lesson was to turn a square piece of cherry into something round.  I had to assist him in holding the chisels so I only got one picture.  But, please notice the turn in the direction he is going.  He did super well with a roughing gouge and the spindle gouge.  I showed him the cut off tool, how to use calipers to make the desire size and a couple of things.  He is going to take this a step at a time.  Now, he understands what can happen with a scrap piece of lumber.  This was a leg of a cherry bed.  The former owners tossed it by the street.  Someone took the railings, so I took the wood.  More projects coming from the flat pieces of the wood.  Thank you for your encouragement.

 

 

I love seeing him all covered with shavings. I have heard it gets in your blood stream. I have two grandsons and I have tried to get both of them into woodworking and 22 rifles. It must be me.

This is great that he has come back for more lessons!  I see a couple of things going on here Steve.  First, the memories of Grandpa showing him how, and allowing him to actually use the lathe will always be remembered - while video games will become just a blur.  Second, the knowledge and skills being gained here are going to catapult your grandson into the next levels of confidence, and desire to learn and do more.

 

He will soon be a teenager and that is a pretty tough time for all kids.  Keep him wanting to come back for the fun of woodworking, the fun of learning and the fun of spending time with ol' gramps and you will have done your part for the next generation!

 

Now, turn the camera around and let's see if we can see something in that pic also...

17 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

This was a leg of a cherry bed.  The former owners tossed it by the street.  Someone took the railings, so I took the wood. 

Found wood is great, and you can't beat the price.  Be aware, though, that it is a good way to introduce critters, such as bed bugs, into your house.  Happened to me, and it took $7000 to get rid of them.  Expensive lesson.