2 days, 57 kids... round #2!!

[Ajcoholic]

SOme of you might recall that last year at this time, I had a bunch of children visit my woodworking shop for a field trip.

I had about 30 or so kids bewteen the ages of 4 and 9, and we briefly talked about woodworking - and then I had them all try hand planing pine, cutting some sticks to length with a dovetail saw and for the "finale" we assembled small pencil boxes of which I had cut all the parts out on my Shopbot (including putting their individual names on them.

The visit was a hit - as this year I have not one but TWO groups of kids (totaling 57). They are coming early next week (half on Monday, half on Tuesday) I wanted to have another project for them to sand and quickly assemble - but different since some of the kids will have come last year.

I decided this week, that a small picture frame would be cool to do up. I cut the frames from 9mm Baltic birch ply (double rabbeting the back) and the supporting feet from 6mm. The 4x6 photo slides in from the top. Again, each frame has the child's name V carved on the top of the front.

Here is a sample I did with my son's name (Joseph) and a picture of us about 1 1/2 yrs old.

There are lots of parts... but it took me about 3 hours to cut out everything. Another hour to carve the names.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_1221_zps26137f7d.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_1221_zps26137f7d.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_1222_zps0243b1b5.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_1222_zps0243b1b5.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_1223_zpsd09ccc02.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_1223_zpsd09ccc02.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_1220_zpsd64eb6c4.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_1220_zpsd64eb6c4.jpg.html)

[myxpykalix]

Andrew,
When is Joseph going to start working in the shop? It's things like this that gets a kid started on the path to woodworking...good job buddy!:D

[donek]

That's really cool Andrew. I'm doing the first Colorado Maker Fair in October and planned to do something geared to kids for that. I'm going to cut gliders out of Rediboard foam, so they can assemble them. I'll be using the Drag knife of course, but can't transport the shopbot. I'll be running the little Mogul instead.

[Bob Eustace]

Brilliant concept as usual Andrew and great that you are encouraging the little future Shopboters! The red tape over here to do what you are doing is humungous. Really envy you!

[scottp55]

Andrew, A lot of work on your part, they will keep the frames for a very long time. Introduce the teacher to the polymerized linseed and some wet sanding would be another good project for them. I would have scrambled to get all my hand "Sharps" out of the way. I like you starting on the basic tools. Do you run your shopbot for them? Some 9 year olds are as good or better on my computer than I am. What no live edge? good job. Scott

[Ajcoholic]

Andrew,
When is Joseph going to start working in the shop? It's things like this that gets a kid started on the path to woodworking...good job buddy!:D

Hes started already...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_1207_zps2092bc11.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_1207_zps2092bc11.jpg.html)

That was last weekend. I cut out the "cow" on the scroll saw and he was drilling the eye (or trying to :) ) He asks to go to the shop sometimes but he is still on the small side yet (just turned 28 months)

AJC

[Ajcoholic]

Andrew, A lot of work on your part, they will keep the frames for a very long time. Introduce the teacher to the polymerized linseed and some wet sanding would be another good project for them. I would have scrambled to get all my hand "Sharps" out of the way. I like you starting on the basic tools. Do you run your shopbot for them? Some 9 year olds are as good or better on my computer than I am. What no live edge? good job. Scott

Im going it today or tomorrow to "clean up" (my shop is already clean but I use my festool vac and wand to really clean up) and put everything out of the way...

I need to make sure the hand planes (Stanley #3 and Lee Valley small BU smoother) are good and sharp - dont worry there is constant supervision and last year it went great.

There are several staff that come with the children and the parents all signed off on the trip. No worries... we wont be using the 20" planer or jointer, etc (actually NO power tools in operation, and I wont be demonstrating the shopbot... I dont want to scare the younger ones and we only have 1 1/2 hours to do everything.

Last year they were going CRAZY to make curls with the hand plane, but even crazier to cut the sticks of pine and basswood with the small hand saws... so much so we had to make sure they took their turns and some kids would get back in line several times.

All the frames will be sanded (by the kids) and the back and feet glued on. They can use markers, etc to decorate them back at the daycare.

Although it is going to end up costing me a day and a half total in lost time, it is well worth it IMO - and you have to give back to the community in some way I think. Where else today do kids get to use woodworking tools (good ones) and see things like this?

[scottp55]

Andrew , a good thing you are doing. I see your son is using a "yankee" drill, Down south they must call it a "D--n Yankee" drill. Be well. Scott

[genek]

Andrew great job and you are right to give back to the area. You have to give to get. Andrew The Children of today are our wood workers of tomorrow.
Andrew, You may have lost work time, but you gained far more than you would have made in that time. I am so glad that you do this for the children,
I am proud to know you. Thanks for doing this for those children.

[myxpykalix]

Andrew,
I love the picture! :) Along with teaching him to love woodworking he's learning problem solving and figuring stuff out...good for you..and him;)

[scottp55]

Andrew, How did it go with the kids? Or are you still cleaning up shavings, tuning your planes and trying to get caught up? Pictures? Scott

[Ajcoholic]

It went really, really well! Sorry I didnt post, post event - but this week hase found me battling a bad chest cold and work is super crazy busy (and Im supposed to go on holidays in a week... and I have three weeks worth of work to get done before I go :( )

ANyhow, I had stations set up for the kids to do the following:

- hand plane a pc of white pine and basswood
- cross cut a pine stick with a small dovetail saw
- use my old mitre box (metal frame with a 28" Disston back saw) to cut a heavier pc of pine
- use the coping saw to cut some thin basswood
- drill holes using an old brace with an auger bit, and an egbeater drill with a small twist drill and a push-drill as well.


They all sanded and assembled their picture frames as well. Each day was about 1 1/2 hours of fun - it went FAST. They all had a great time and I heard back from the teachers that a lot of the kids said it was their favourite excursion (and they go on a lot of field trips).

A buddy of mine was there assisting me also and taking photos... he hasnt given them to me on a CD yet but will soon. I will post some pics when I get them!

No one got hurt, no cuts - not even a splinter!

AJC

[scottp55]

Andrew, Summer colds stink. Glad it went well,I see you extended your repertoire of hand tools this year. It's a good thing you did for the kids. You do Know however if you didn't do such good work, you wouldn't have so much work, right. Take care and enjoy your vacation. scott