1 minute ago, Artie said:

I look back at my apprenticeship, and wonder why the hell Ron stayed with me. Big learning curve sometimes, also many funny stories, now, that weren’t funny then.

I worked with my Grandfather every summer for a month as a kid.  He was always easy going and showed me how, even when things went really sideways.  Years later my Dad tells me how hard they laughed at Granddaddy's stories every year when they came to pick me up.  Yeah I did some insane stuff thinking it was right.  How I survived I have no idea.

12 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I worked with my Grandfather every summer for a month as a kid.  He was always easy going and showed me how, even when things went really sideways.  Years later my Dad tells me how hard they laughed at Granddaddy's stories every year when they came to pick me up.  Yeah I did some insane stuff thinking it was right.  How I survived I have no idea.

In all seriousness, he managed to get you started, and managed to get the lessons to stick.

 

That is all you can hope for, that, whoever you are teaching pays attention and learns the lesson.

@Woodbutcherbynight, my rock paper scissors tee shirt came yesterday. Maybe one for the apprentice would be in order. Wrap it around a first aid kit, first.

4 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

@Woodbutcherbynight, my rock paper scissors tee shirt came yesterday. Maybe one for the apprentice would be in order. Wrap it around a first aid kit, first.

Great suggestion! Love it!!

11 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Maybe one for the apprentice would be in order. Wrap it around a first aid kit, first.

 

Oddly he went and found several he wanted.  Small issue, $$$$$.  I did manage to remember the one he gloated about and ordered.

Busy day.  Started with 8 drawers in this cabinet.  Made 4 new ones for one side and cut down the larger ones to make new ones for the other side.  Took some time and not all drawers are new but gives me the cabinet back in full function right away.  Next we make drawer fronts.  In the mean time some circle saw cut outs are being used to get drawers open.  New slides are self closing.  May or may not like them.  Being that they close and require a tug to get open.  No sense jamming fingers trying to open drawers just put these in for time being.

 

   

 

Been a while since I had the same opportunity but in auto mechanics instead.

 

Lots of good things in your story...your teaching about the machine before using it, your observation in his interest in construction, your acknowledging his interest in redesigning your DC system...even that he is going through with the shed project...

 

Good for you for taking the time and getting strong results for your efforts...

41 minutes ago, Nickp said:

 

Been a while since I had the same opportunity but in auto mechanics instead.

 

Lots of good things in your story...your teaching about the machine before using it, your observation in his interest in construction, your acknowledging his interest in redesigning your DC system...even that he is going through with the shed project...

 

Good for you for taking the time and getting strong results for your efforts...

Well put, Nick. That young man is well served with having a mentor like Curtis. You are a good man WBBN!

1 hour ago, Nickp said:

Been a while since I had the same opportunity but in auto mechanics instead.

Had several over the years.  For the last few years due to an injury that has left me with limited use of my right arm and wrist I have been assigned a "apprentice".   Everyone expects the kid to know what I know overnight.  Way too much to know, and you cannot pass on hands on experience except to let them do it.  Most tasks I cut him loose and just guide him here and there.  Sometimes time is a an issue and we have to move past the speed of Glacial.

 

At home though much more relaxed environment.  Time can be taken to learn not only the craft but how tools work and in some cases what NOT to do with them even if you think it is okay.  Course we spend a lifetime learning that.....

 

Thanks for the comments guys!

Got the door and insides all painted up nice.  The plywood that makes up the outside wall was very dry, soaked up 4 coats of paint before it even looked like it should.  Mounted all the hooks for the brushes on the inside, then outside.  In upper right corner of the inside of the cabinet is a 35 lb magnet someone gave me a bag of.  I put  a large flat screw on that corner of the door.  Pulls the door tight to the wall nicely.  The light blue brush in upper right corner is the handle to open the door.  Not a bad project, some things learned for doing a more completely hidden one in the future.  For this the hidden part was not essential just something to try.  Emptied a large drawer full of brushes, giving me more room for other paint / finish related things.  

 

 

So we have finished making drawers and have them all installed.  Currently working on mapping them out for what goes inside.  Brent gave making the inserts a try, they came out pretty good considering it was his first attempt.  Only one board cut wrong, minor problem.  The painting part he said sucked mud!!!  I had him finish each piece individually them reassemble.  A lesson in different ways to finish a project.  

 

Next up is the drawer fronts.  Have the plywood for both sides cut to width, just need some time to cut to height and round over the edges, then some painting.  We are going for the chaos look on this one.

 

 

Pretty darned nice for a first try. But then, he's got a great mentor.

12 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Pretty darned nice for a first try.

I too was impressed, he kept a slow and steady pace throughout the entire build.

 

He heard me say, did you check it again quite a lot....

Great job, Brent & WoodButcher.

Well after a long finishing process on all the drawer fronts and drawers we have a completed bench refurb.  As I do my finishing at this bench I went with the idea why make a beautiful finish when I know I will get paint or stain or something on it anyway.  Embracing this idea we used every paint and stain I had in stock and called it the chaos theme.  

 

Not the prettiest girl on the block, but she will turn a head or two!

 

For those artist among us I was informed this is know as expressionism.  Not to sure about that, we just slathered paint and wiped with plastic bags.

 

Few more drawers to do dividers for but it is functional again.

 

On a side note I used self closing drawer slides for this cabinet.  Time will tell if I like them verses traditional don't be lazy and close the drawer all the way types.

 

Basecoat is aluminum oil based flat paint.  This is the before picture.   Next is all done next day and OMG!  

 

               

That gives it a used look . Now the first ding or spill will not hurt so bad.

2 hours ago, Gerald said:

That gives it a used look . Now the first ding or spill will not hurt so bad.

My thoughts exactly!! Besides, who could tell?  

Well, that is certainly............ bright! Great work the two of you. Keep it up, it's great to see a good mentoring relationship working so well.

I love the paint job! Way to go Gunny, your apprentice will remember this for life.

You guys are doing a wonderful job.

5 hours ago, John Morris said:

I love the paint job! Way to go Gunny, your apprentice will remember this for life.

You guys are doing a wonderful job.

We have a couple months left, then he goes off to West Point Military Academy.  He got accepted and leaves in July.  So far as I know he will be doing something that takes him into the Army Corp of Engineers.  

 

About the same time my son starts US Merchant Marine Academy. Big deal after that will be what branch he decides to serve in.  His MOS will be in Engineering.