proud is an understatment

[paintspill]

woodworking with kids has its long list of challenges, add autism to that list and its a whole new list.
my eldest has been bugging for a long time, and i mean years. but he was never ready, today was a holiday here, and i slipped out to the shop to play and my son appeared a hour or so later. asking when he was going to get a pen. my answer was simply, "today" it took a while but his level of focus was unbelievable.

this is the results of his hard work. we started with a gouge and moved on to a scraper, i think my next investment will be a pen pro type tool.
and i must say, it looks a heck of a lot better then my first try did.

 

[D.Oliver]

That's awesome Marc. Is that cocobolo?

 

[edicehouse]

My 7 year old made her first a week ago (for MAPG New Penturners contest). She made a slimline Cedar with CA glue finish. I did the cutting/drilling/glueing/squaring. She did the lathe work. The sanding, and she decided I needed to do her job of handing her the sandpaper. She did the CA glue finish (including having to peel it off fingers). She did the micromesh, and polishing. It's a proud moment for you!

 

[mikespenturningz]

Awesome, If he is able to use those 2 great tools and if he can use them I would keep him using them not a carbide tool. That is a great looking pen you should be so proud.

 

[TBCbushings]

I love it when my kids come up to the shop and work...

 

[paintspill]

thanks guys, and yes derek it is cocobolo, shoulda mentioned that, and yes, super proud, he did every step, cutting (using a sled and clamps) drilling turning sanding, decided i wasn't brave enough to go CA. wax polish.

 

[MikeL]

Awesome! Making memories with our kids will mean more tomorrow than it does today.

 

[Martin G]

Awesome! You have every right to be proud (so does he).
I hope to get my son into the shop some day too. He also has autism. Hasn't shown any interest in woodworking yet. We'll see. I'm not going to push it.
Congratulations to both you and your son.

 

[JohnU]

I wish my first would have looked that good too! A proud day for both of you, and a job well done. Something both of you will never forget.

 

[PaulDoug]

That is a great pen! You and he deserve to be proud!

 

[MattTheHat]

Very cool!


-Matt

 

[lyonsacc]

That is pretty awesome - tell him "Great job!"

 

[skiprat]

Very well done !!! BOTH of you !!!:biggrin::good::good::good:

 

[Displaced Canadian]

Great job. Happy Victoria Day.

 

[Super Dave]

Great job to both of you. I'm sure he will cherish it and show everyone. Pen making is a great way to build self esteem.

Dave

 

[Hubert H]

That is a great job/pen! You and he both deserve to be proud!

 

[Joe Burns]

Awesome! Great pen. Bet he got hooked!

Joe

 

[GeneL74]

That's awesome!

 

[Jim15]

Tell him great work, good looking pen.

 

[SteveG]

Just the sight of him beaming with pride, finished pen in hand. That is truly priceless. Maybe you should get a pic of the two of you and the pen. That would be a memory to come back to! Please tell him I think he did a great job. And I would like to say, his Dad did a decent job too!
Steve

 

[jsolie]

Excellent! And a good looking pen to boot!

 

[ChrisN]

Very good pen on his first try! Tell him good job, and to let Dad have at least a little time on the lathe after this!!:laugh:

 

[thewishman]

What a great thing and a very nice pen! Congrats on the bonding time.

 

[triw51]

Not sure which is brighter the shine on the pen or his smile. Either way this is a time with Dad he will not forget

 

[keithbyrd]

Great job on that pen - and a proud moment for you!

 

[edstreet]

That respirator looks over sized and I am curious if it did indeed fit right.

 

[paintspill]

That respirator looks over sized and I am curious if it did indeed fit right.

the respirator didn't go over too well, so i held the vac hose under the turning the rest of the time. got me thinking about finally making a vacuum hood

 

[edstreet]

That works as well. There is a cloth type respirator you can get in bulk packs at lowes/home depot that is N85 rating. They should work good for him. You can also get the doctor style mask that are N85 or P100. If it is just wood dust the N85 will be fine, if you are doing chemicals and stuff then the P100 is the way to go, i.e. CA glue.

The good thing about those style mask is the nose are has a thin section of metal you can bend to fit the nose and if you move the bottom strap UP on the back of the head it will seal up good but many I see use the bottom strap to low and there is a big gap there.

 

[Steve Busey]

Well done, Marc - glad the time finally came for the shared shop time!

 

[paintspill]

Well done, Marc - glad the time finally came for the shared shop time!

thanks steve. i know you understand more than most

 

[glenspens]

Be a Proud and be Proud of your son ....

To bad we dont have more dads like you....

 

[paintspill]

thank you all for the encouraging words. he showed it off at school yesterday and got three orders from classmates. kids gonna put me out of business.

of course they all want them for their birthdays as presents. and he is willing to do it. now i'm gonna have to sell more to feed his addiction.

 

[robersonjr]

An investment well worth the cost, I too would be extreemly proud of him, excellent job.

 

[Dalepenkala]

Awesome Marc! My son is ADHD, and ODD so I understand your position! But when you get something that he makes with you it is priceless! Wonderful job!

 

[edicehouse]

Great job....