Ajcoholic
08-04-2016, 09:44 PM
OK, so those who may pay attention to my posts might remember that every year since setting up my new shop, I have had several groups of kids come through my shop for a "wood working" day of fun and exploration.
This will be my 5th year (wow where did the time go) since I started this in 2012. It will also be my largest group, with nearly EIGHTY (yes, 80!) kids from 5 to 12 years old coming in 4 groups, for about an hour each.
Every year, myself and my staff - plus several employees from the daycare, come and we briefly explain what happens in a woodworking shop. Then we get to show the kids hands on, how to use hand planes, various hand saws, coping saw, some old hand drills and braces, etc. It is a whole lot of fun.
The kicker every year is that I also prepare a "kit" on the CNC, that the kids get to sand and glue together and take home. We have made a few different types of boxes, and a photo frame.
This year (due to some feedback from the kids and parents) I decided to step up the project a bit, and make... Birdhouses!
I took some measurements from a book on building birdhouses I have, and came up with this design which is good for several small song birds we get here in Northern Canada. The house keys together, and also has a bottom that slides out to clean it, if they decide to actually use it. The Baltic birch I use is exterior grade with a waterproof glue line.
Today I cut enough parts to make 84 houses. It took 6 full 4x8 sheets. Since I have a 48" by 48" table, I cut 12 half sheets. All with a 1/4" cutter and held down with the universal vacuum. I lost only a couple parts that shifted slightly. I still am amazed at this vacuum thing, even after two full years of use.
Today was a warm one here, with temps in the mid 80's. The vacuum pump was putting out a fair bit of warm air to add to that. Glad I dont cut for that long every day!
Here are some pics and a youtube vid if youre interested.
The kids come Monday. Ill post how it went that evening...
It sure is a rewarding thing to do - even though the cost is substantial (one full day lost to prepare, one full lost day for the sessions, plus my two employees I still have to pay, and materials of course). Once a year, its a good way to give a little back to the community.
Without the SHopbot, this kind of thing would never be possible!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/ajcoholic025/image126_zps8n6p8gqz.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/ajcoholic025/image126_zps8n6p8gqz.jpg.html)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/ajcoholic025/image215_zpsz93xx5f9.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/ajcoholic025/image215_zpsz93xx5f9.jpg.html)
This will be my 5th year (wow where did the time go) since I started this in 2012. It will also be my largest group, with nearly EIGHTY (yes, 80!) kids from 5 to 12 years old coming in 4 groups, for about an hour each.
Every year, myself and my staff - plus several employees from the daycare, come and we briefly explain what happens in a woodworking shop. Then we get to show the kids hands on, how to use hand planes, various hand saws, coping saw, some old hand drills and braces, etc. It is a whole lot of fun.
The kicker every year is that I also prepare a "kit" on the CNC, that the kids get to sand and glue together and take home. We have made a few different types of boxes, and a photo frame.
This year (due to some feedback from the kids and parents) I decided to step up the project a bit, and make... Birdhouses!
I took some measurements from a book on building birdhouses I have, and came up with this design which is good for several small song birds we get here in Northern Canada. The house keys together, and also has a bottom that slides out to clean it, if they decide to actually use it. The Baltic birch I use is exterior grade with a waterproof glue line.
Today I cut enough parts to make 84 houses. It took 6 full 4x8 sheets. Since I have a 48" by 48" table, I cut 12 half sheets. All with a 1/4" cutter and held down with the universal vacuum. I lost only a couple parts that shifted slightly. I still am amazed at this vacuum thing, even after two full years of use.
Today was a warm one here, with temps in the mid 80's. The vacuum pump was putting out a fair bit of warm air to add to that. Glad I dont cut for that long every day!
Here are some pics and a youtube vid if youre interested.
The kids come Monday. Ill post how it went that evening...
It sure is a rewarding thing to do - even though the cost is substantial (one full day lost to prepare, one full lost day for the sessions, plus my two employees I still have to pay, and materials of course). Once a year, its a good way to give a little back to the community.
Without the SHopbot, this kind of thing would never be possible!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/ajcoholic025/image126_zps8n6p8gqz.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/ajcoholic025/image126_zps8n6p8gqz.jpg.html)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/ajcoholic025/image215_zpsz93xx5f9.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/ajcoholic025/image215_zpsz93xx5f9.jpg.html)