PrinterTom
Member
I was in the shop today with my 8 y/o son Ryan. He was helping me with turning some blanks down...No amount of money can buy this quality time! :biggrin:
Bonding with son!!!
- Thread starter PrinterTom
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ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
That's a great start, Tom!!
Someday, in his teens when he asks if you have a few minutes to help him turn a pen (which he can do perfectly well by himself at that point), you will FIND the time and enjoy every second of it!!! AMHIKT!!!
Someday, in his teens when he asks if you have a few minutes to help him turn a pen (which he can do perfectly well by himself at that point), you will FIND the time and enjoy every second of it!!! AMHIKT!!!
PTownSubbie
Member
So true. I wish I would have started turning many years ago. My kids are 20 yrs old now and they have much more important stuff to do than hang out and turn with their Dad. My son has shown some interest but not done any as of yet.
Take many pictures and remember it. Won't be long until he is grown up and on his own.
Take many pictures and remember it. Won't be long until he is grown up and on his own.
Wood Butcher
Local Chapter Leader
Good for you man. We're all mentors whether we know it or want to be. The Cat's In The Cradle.
rjwolfe3
Member
I tried to get my son to turn but his interest is video games. That and he has a hard time holding a tool (and yes he is old enough - 10). Now my daughter likes to try but she lacks confidence.
monophoto
Member
My varied interests include pens (fountain pens). photography and household DIY projects. As our kids were growing up, I tried to involve them in my activities, and we did have some great times together. But nothing seemed to 'stick'.
Last month we visited our older son (now age 33). He is very proud of his new camera, and his ability to modify and use old Leica-compatible lenses for images that eventually appear on his SmugMug or Flickr pages. And his preferred writing instrument is a fountain pen!
All we can do as parents is plant seeds. And if we are lucky, they will eventually take hold and grow.
Last month we visited our older son (now age 33). He is very proud of his new camera, and his ability to modify and use old Leica-compatible lenses for images that eventually appear on his SmugMug or Flickr pages. And his preferred writing instrument is a fountain pen!
All we can do as parents is plant seeds. And if we are lucky, they will eventually take hold and grow.
Russell Eaton
Member
My daughter loves to come down to the man cave and SWEEP! I like those visits. She has made a pencil and is I think she will turn a pen for her teacher this year. I may have to keep the 1236 so we can all have a lathe. Russell
LandfillLumber
Member
The most fun I've had in my shop in the last few years is when my nephew and I made a bird house one afternoon.These kids now a days are not interested in working with their hands we need to be the ones that change this or we shall be in trouble 50 years from know.Victor
Boz
Member
A couple of years ago I bought a lathe and a starter kit of pens and pencils for my Dad. We learned to turn together and it gave him something to do in retirement. I lost my Dad last month and I have moved the lathe to my house. Everytime I turn a pen I think of him. Last night I found out I am going to be a Grandfather for the first time. One door closes and another one opens.
DurocShark
Member
My son does a few now and again, generally when there's some motivation. IE: Cody's auction, a friend's birthday, etc.
My daughter did her first pen a few months ago, but really isn't interested. She enjoyed the hanging with dad time more than doing pens. So now we go for walks in the beautiful trails around here.
My daughter did her first pen a few months ago, but really isn't interested. She enjoyed the hanging with dad time more than doing pens. So now we go for walks in the beautiful trails around here.
TellicoTurning
Member
First that is a fine looking young man working in your shop... get a face shield on him.
Second, it's great when you can spend time with your children. I didn't do woodworking when my little one (he's 36 now, stands 6'3" and weighs about 250..but still my little guy), but everything else he wanted to do I tried to be a part of... not to the point of taking over or smothering him, just to be there and watch .... we're still close today.... he took up pen turning after I did, but in separate locations... he bought me my first lathe(a Ridgid spindle lathe) as Christmas gift and a number of pen kits to go with it... we played on the lathe in the garage that Christmas day and he decided it was so much fun he went home and bought himself a pen lathe. He turned for a while, then college, work and girls all got in the way and he wound up giving me the pen lathe as well. We still talk about pen turning even though he doesn't do it any more.
One thing he did that I haven't tried yet, he used to make cross bows... he hand worked them in his living room... don't think he has time for that now. But he made several that were quite the work of art.
Second, it's great when you can spend time with your children. I didn't do woodworking when my little one (he's 36 now, stands 6'3" and weighs about 250..but still my little guy), but everything else he wanted to do I tried to be a part of... not to the point of taking over or smothering him, just to be there and watch .... we're still close today.... he took up pen turning after I did, but in separate locations... he bought me my first lathe(a Ridgid spindle lathe) as Christmas gift and a number of pen kits to go with it... we played on the lathe in the garage that Christmas day and he decided it was so much fun he went home and bought himself a pen lathe. He turned for a while, then college, work and girls all got in the way and he wound up giving me the pen lathe as well. We still talk about pen turning even though he doesn't do it any more.
One thing he did that I haven't tried yet, he used to make cross bows... he hand worked them in his living room... don't think he has time for that now. But he made several that were quite the work of art.