My 8 year old's first lathe project

[woodwzrd]

So my son is studying Colonial America in school and they were given an assignment to make a replica of something colonial. Some of the examples were a model cabin, soap whittling or a colonial toy. He came to me the other day and asked me if I would help him make a cup and ball toy. Tonight we went out to the shop and I dug out a piece of poplar pallet runner and chucked it up. I helped him get it round and bore the cup. I then made a couple of passes across the blank with him and turned him loose. When he got all done he sanded it out with just 220 and put a light coat of BLO on it. I am pretty proud of him the design is all his.

[dogcatcher]

Great job!!!!

You just set yourself up for another set of shop tools, all he will need to start is a lathe, his own chisels, and a lot of wood, the good stuff no more poplar, the real good stuff!

Marvin

[Aaron at Wingerts Woodworks]

Yeah I'm pretty sure they used nothing but cocobolo, African blackwood and Arizona desert ironwood in colonial America!   

Good for him!  I bet his project is the hit of the class.  Fun to play with and something he can say he actually made himself!   

[dogcatcher]

Your son just called me, and asked for lathe recommendations, I told him this would probably last him through highh school.  At $4000 it is a bargain.     
http://www.amazon.com/Powermatic-1352001-20x35-Inch-Digital-Readout/dp/B000BX1JPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321417651&sr=8-1
 
Marvin

[woodwzrd]

Marvin I will have to check into that. HAHAHAHA

KC we did step it up a bit by using Indian rosewood for the ball I am positive that was available in colonial times.

Thanks for the comments guys he sure was happy with himself when he go done. He can't wait to take it to school on Thursday

[HaMeR]

Now that is purdy darn cool!! He did well!! But then again he had a good Teacher.