Sunday 15 January 2023

Tools For A Seven Year Old...

It's sometimes hard to decide what to get children for their birthdays, especially when they're so close to Christmas.

For the boys birthday this week I had a really good idea though. 

He loves spending time in the workshop with me, either carving or wood turning. 

So I made him a carving mallet from a Medlar tree my friend had taken down a few months ago. Medlar is supposed to be a really hard wood with tight grain, said to be used for lots of things that needed to be near indestructible. Perfect for a carving mallet. It turned up lovely - the second time, first time there was a fault in the wood and I had to bin it! 

This size and shape is the same as one of mine that I use. It's funny, I have a few carving mallets in the workshop and when the children come in they always pick this style and I do as well. 


 The other part of the present was a "Make your own V-Tool kit" Consisting of an old v-tool blade, a ferrule and a block of ash. 

The idea behind this is that he can turn a new handle for the tool with me on the lathe, and we can fit it together. And I can make sharpen it up with him. 

He was really pleased with it and has asked me about 10 times what we're doing Saturday so we can make it!

8 comments:

  1. Perfect gift, once made he can understand how to look after it, you are teaching your children great life skills.

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    1. Thanks, it's nice that he's so interested and willing to do it.

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  2. Your son (and your daughters, too, of course) must bring you so much joy! Even though I don't understand exactly what you're saying in this little post regarding the wood, tools and the proposed project (!), I felt all kinds of warm fuzzies thinking of the wonderful bond between you and your son. :o)

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    1. Ah thank you! They really do, I feel very lucky that they're such good company.

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  3. Perfect. Our grandson is 6 this week and inspired by you a tool box is under construction. Not sure what is going into it yet other than a pair of overalls. BTW I have a small palm mallet turned out of an old wooden lawn bowl ball - also heavy and indestructible whatever it is. Someone told me once to use some hornbeam to make mallets if I could get my hands on any.

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    1. I bet that's Lignum vitae! An incredible wood if it is, sinks in water!
      I love that you're making a tool box now as well! Sounds awesome. I'd love to see it when you're done.

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  4. That is amazing - and a great gift Kev!

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    1. Ah thank you! I've been thinking about it for ages. I probably shouldn't have left it to the last minute though!

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