Had a great time with my Dad

[lyonsacc]

But I don't have the pictures to prove it.

I developed my passion for woodworking as a preteen while "helping" my Dad in the basement as he built stuff. I believe I was 12 or 13 when we built the stereo cabinet that is in my living room now (I turn 50 this fall). Mom & Dad came for a visit last weekend and our schedule was pretty open, so I asked him if he wanted to try to make a pen. Although he has a pretty well supplied shop in his basement, he hadn't used a lathe since high school shop class some 60 or more years ago. We looked through about 100 blanks and he picked some teak from one of the WWII battleships (I figured that is what he would go for, since he is a big history buff). He cut, drilled, glued, turned and finished his pen in a couple of hours over the weekend. He had a fun time learning all of the different steps it takes and using tools he doesn't usually use.

Lots of fun, like old times, working with my Dad in the basement

 

[SteveJ]

Sweet memories.

 

[Jim15]

Great story. Glad you had fun.

 

[Cwalker935]

Special time.

 

[SteveG]

I had the chance to share similar experiences with my Dad a couple of years ago. He is 89 years middle aged now. Much of his working years were as a tool & die machinist, but the wood lathe was a bit of a different experience for him. Part of the experience...he insisted on using the micrometer instead of the more convenient digital calipers. I offered the suggestion for the DC's, but choose silence from that point on as he continued with the micrometer. It was fun, but a little odd to be the "teacher" instead of the "taught" with him.