Got lucky

[MobilMan]

Had an appointment in Tucson the other day and that morning my 12 yr old Grandson came over. "Grandpa, can I turn a baseball bat on you're big lathe?" "I don't have anything big enough for one". "But I'll look in Tucson & see what I can find." Got in town a little early so I stopped in The Woodworker's Source store & right there in a bin are 4 'bat blanks' I'll be darned. 2 Ash--kinda junky and 2 Maple. Nice, straight turned round & 3 ins diameter. Kinda high for a kid to make a bat-$35.00-but this isn't just any kid, plus he's done a lot of turning. He's got a bat that he likes so he's going to copy it, size, lenght & profile. I've got a duplicator for the Grizzly but I'm going to have him use calipers to duplicate it.
He just turned 12 & him & I haven't 'worked in the shop' for at least a year & a half. Just couldn't get together on something to make. One good thing is he listens & pays attention. Only explain something once.
Will probably put a nice finish on it & display it in his room. His league rules say aluminum bats only. Another darn.

 

[TBone]

$35 is a cheap price for the time you two will spend together. As they say in the commercial.

Blank - $35
Memories created - Priceless.

A curse on aluminum bats.

 

[medemt]

Richard,

I agree with TBone, you can not put a price on things like this. When we are gone, our grandkids are going to remember these things. We can't take our money with us, but we can make a potentially life changing difference in those that will follow us. I believe your grandson will never forget what grandpa did for him!

Dan

 

[BrentK]

That sound like it will be a neat project. My two step sons 10 and 8 dont have any interest in turning as of yet any way. Maybe one day. Take pics when the project is done and post them.

 

[alamocdc]

Richard, I'm w/Tommy here, too. I'd gladly spend $35 to be able to help one of my grandsons turn something. As it is I only get to see them once or twice a year and it's never for very long and never up here where my equipment is. Consider yourself very fortunate... and me VERY envious!

 

[JimB]

He'll remeber the fun he had with you every time he looks at the bat.!

 

[MobilMan]

Appreciate all the comments. I didn't mean it was too much for him, just didn't think wood would be that much. It's out in the shop now. Yes I'm one lucky guy. Both my daughters, my grand kids & now my Great Grandson have always lived in the same town -or real close- as us. I've commented many a time how it'd be terrible to go across country to see them once or twice a year, altho worth it. We've normally seen them on a daily basis. We get to baby sit that Great Grand Son daily while mommy works. He's 5 1/2 mons old & another REAL joy. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times. "You can have a million dollars, been all over the world, have the largest house in town, but if ya ain't had kids, you've missed the boat."