Who's Makin Wooden Gifts ???

[fstedy]

  ;D :D I had cut down a large Black Cherry Tree several years ago and been air drying it in my shop attic and I use it for special family gifts. This year for the grandchildren I'm making a large set of construction blocks with a dovetailed box to hold them and 2 of the grasshopper pull toys for the 2 new grandsons first Christmas and a Rocking Horse. I always wood burn the date and who they were from and that their parents had gotten a lot of pleasure playing on that tree when they were children. They always make a big hit and have more meaning than something from Toy"s Are US  :D ;D

[WV_hillbilly]

  I'm making  a  Skidder  out of wood  for my 6yr old son . probably about  1:24 scale . For my 4 yr old  daughter I'm making a hope chest with her name and birthdate routed into the top .  For my nieces and nephew alphabet snake jigsaw puzzles .

   I'm also making nameplates with bases for my kid 's teachers and bus driver .

  I also think that gifts you handmake are alittle more special than store bought ones . Especially from wood that came from the family property .

[Larry]

Couple of simple jewelry boxes, couple of oak tables, whole DanG herd of piggy banks, and cutting boards from complex to simple.

Scrap wood waiting to be glued up into simple cutting boards.  If I hadn't ran out of glue yesterday they would have been done today.  The oak board is for the last oak table.  I'm down to the short rows. ;D




This is what they look like when complete.  Really simple boards that are fast to make, cheap, and use up all the scrap that in a lot of cases is headed for the burn pile.

[UNCLEBUCK]

 I make something called the Wing Rib Shelf , I usually get plastered with orders this time of year . I sell them to a place in Batavia,Ohio called www.Sportys.com and then click on the wright brothers catalog and its there somewhere. They are always in search of crafters that can make anything and they have about 6 different catalogs .The one I sell to is all aviation stuff .This is as far as I got trying to build a airplane  :D This is my 5th year with them . Very nice christmas gifts Larry and everyone .                                                                            

[Norm]

Very cool guys, UB sportys used to be one of my favorite places to shop. Only hobby more expensive than playing with wood is flying. :D

[Phorester]

Some very nice things y'all are making.  I'm impressed with your abilities.

[GHRoberts]

I made a pair of tables and chairs for my 2 granddaughters, 18months and 12 months. The chairs still need finishing.

They needed something nice to eat from and to color at.

[Patty]

Wow, all of these gifts are sobeautiful. I am impressed!

Your families will cherish your hand made gifts forever.  ;)

[2bearslumber]

Nice work, everyone! My husband just made an adirondack setee for my cousin and his wife. I'm so proud of him! He sawed out the lumber from some unwanted cedar a local woods crew left behind. (let's see if I can figure out how to insert a photo.....)

[Norm]

Good job on the setee, and on the picture posting.

[ohsoloco]

Very nice gifts, indeed  

Every time I see this thread on the general board I still think it says "Who's making wooden GRITS"  :D  I figgered those southern boys and girls finally found a use for their sawdust...and it might even taste better  ;)

[2bearslumber]

Good job on the setee, and on the picture posting.

Thanks, Norm

Ohsoloco--being from Maine, I've never had grits.  :-/ What's the Maine equivalent--baked beans for breakfast?

[ohsoloco]

I think I ate them once by accident...thought it was cream of wheat  :P  :  I think sawdust would be a better substitute than beans if you want the right experience  :D

[2bearslumber]

Alrighty then! I'll cook up a big batch for all. What flavor would you be having? Cedar? Pine? Poplar? Walnut? Hmmmm......Apple, Maple & Walnut is a good combination. That's what'll be simmering.....help yourself!  ;)

[ohsoloco]

I vote for red oak grits with some apple cider to bring some flavor and moisture to the mix  8)

[Jeff]

I am but I cant say nothin. :-/

YET> ;D

[Bro. Noble]

Jeff told me so I KNOW ,  but I didn't tell him what I KNOW :D :D

I'm giving wooden gifts-----turkey calls,  jewelry boxes,  and bird houses.

We used some old beams from a cabin built by my g-g-grandfather during the civil war.  It replaced his cabin that was burned by raiders.  

We used some of it for the mantle of our new house and one of the carpenters surprised me with a turkey call he made out of some scraps.  Having no talents myself,  I asked him to make a bunch of stuff from the wood for me to give as gifts.

My son is fixing up the story of the raid and burning of the old cabin on old-timey looking paper to give with the gifts.

I'm anxious for my Dad to get his as it will have a lot of meaning to him -----hopefully the other recipients as well. ;D

[Furby]

Now that's cool!!!!  8) 8) 8)

[edsaws]

Great projects everyone Larry_Copas what type of glue and finish are you using on them cuttin' boards I got me a pile of scrap that could become some of them there things to.

[Larry]

Tightbond II glue has worked great and is FDA approved for food contact.  Recently switched to Tightbond III because it has a lower application temperature in my cold shop.  Seems ok but hasn't passed the test of time yet.

Finish is 6 parts mineral oil to 1 part paraffin.

[Jeff]

I couldn't say anything before. I been sneaking around hiding wood chips and shavings. This is Tammy's Christmas present from me. I got it started late because I havn't been able to carve using the one arm to well, and the going has been slow, because  I haven't been able to carve using the one arm to well. :D

At one point, unknowingly she stole my example bus that had set on the desk for months. She took it to her office and but it on the shelf. I couln't say anything or blow my cover, so from that point I went free form. ;D

Its quite a ways from finished, but at least its not a big hunk of basswood under the boat anymore. Now I am free to carve without worrying about Tammy poping in and catching me!

[WV_hillbilly]

  That's pretty cool Jeff . How long did it take you to do that . I'll bet tammy is real happy .

[Jeff]

I have been working on it almost a month. I didnt have anything big enough to rough it out bandsaw wise, so I just started chipping away at it. Lots of detail work I want to do yet, lights and signage and things, and of course the wheels yet.

Yep, she really likes it.  

[Norm]

Boy that is nice, Tammy's a lucky gal! 8)

[fstedy]

 ;D ;D ;D Great job Jeff. Those are the gifts that really mean something. They turn into faimly heirlooms. ;D ;D ;D

[Minnesota_boy]

That's really nice, Jeff.  I'll bet it will be super nice when you finish the detail work.  Just think how nice it would look on the dash of a cute little schoolbus I saw in a picture from your visit to Noble's.  You could have a personal museum there with a little work.  ;D

[Brian_Bailey]

Jeff, your bus is looking really good but I don't see any letters carved in it yet ?



I just cobbled up a present for my wife. She knows what she's getting for christmas because she had picked out her present and was there when I had bought it. Cept she doesn't know about this one  ;D.

Every time we see this group "Riders in the Sky" on the tely, we always say we have to get one of their CD's because we like their style of music.
Well I ordered their 25th anniv. CD and me being the way I am, I just couldn't wrap it in paper and leave it under the tree for her.

So I took a piece of 5/4 wormy butternut and made a little box to put the CD in. I then can wrap it up so it doesn't look like a CD. Afterwards she has a nice little box that can be used for trinkets and such  .






Have a Merry Christmas Everyone!!




  

[ElectricAl]

This summer a real slick HackBerry Butt log accidentally came in on a load of Walnut. Needless to say that lumber did not ship over seas ;D

Linda has been asking for a small kitchen work station.

Well here it is, right on time.




And just like Brian did, I added a little something to the Christmas box.





The work station is 24" x 36" and 35" high.
Both sides have double doors with flat panels.
Tucked under the skirts are 3" ball bearing wheels, two swivel.
With only an 1/8" clearance, it reminds me of an early 50's Mercury Hot Rod that had been "slammed" real low.



Lots of nice wood projects everyone

ElectricAl

[Jeff]

Here ya go Brian, started carving some words. What a task! I feel like I'm playing the old "Operation" game. One wrong touch and yer done. Only have to do a stop on the drivers side and "School Bus" at least four times.

Great stuff everybody!

[Brian_Bailey]

Hey Jeff,  that's what they make crazy glue for  :D :D. Works for me, oops, I shouldn't of said that  

Electric Al,  I've never seen anything made out of hackberry. Nice job and I like your selection of kitchen tools too.

[sprucebunny]

Great bus ,Jeff. It must be frustrating working one-armed.
Careful the bus don't hit those lubricant cans in front of it  ;D

Linda's one lucky girl-- handsome furniture and handy tools.

[isawlogs]

  Nice work guys , really nice work ... Jeff you going to put some grease fitings in there for her , so's she can feel rite at home with it ...  

[Ianab]

I made one of these for Lil's sister for Christmas. Not sure if it's a blanket chest or a computer seat or a coffee table.... depends where she puts it.
The special part is we took it from the tree through to the finished chest.  :D

[Patty]

Very nice, you guys. The talent shown on this forum is amazing to me!

[shopteacher]

For the past three years I've carved a Santa for my Mom and here's this years.

The Toys for Tot's project went pretty well also. We got 14 handcars and 12 Rocking horses done this year. The marines picked them up the day before school let out for Christmas.

[beenthere]

Shopteacher
That work is really impressive. You and your students are to be commended for a job well done.

I read in the WoodShop News a short while ago that the woodworking industry is feeling the effects of schools eliminating shop programs. There are now fewer interested in moving into this area for a career, as their interest isn't tweaked by a good shop class that will show them what woodworking is like to them.

Keep up the good work.

[Jeff]

Did a little carving today and at least got Tammy's wheels round. ;D  I included a picture on how I am leaving the bottom to try to protect the wheels for the long haul. Leaving some beef behind each wheel, and the center is actually where the bus sits with the wheels just a fraction above the sitting surface. I figured this way, if it ever gets sat down hard, the wheels should survive?

Wish I hade a checkering tool for the grill. Any idea what one costs?

[Bro. Noble]

I'll see if I can find my checkering tools.  If so,  I'll get them in the mail.

[Furby]

Shopteacher,
I was wondering if it would be possible for me to get my hands on a set of plans for the handcars???
My sister can't ride a bike and would love one, I'm sure.

[shopteacher]

Furby,
   There are no plans per say. I could print out the drawings we developed in class when I get back to school Jan. 3.  We cut all the parts for the horses & handcars on a CNC machine. I developed this project from a picture of one of these in a magazine and direct the cutting and assembly. We do have some extra parts left over from this years run and would ship them to you.  These were designed for younger children, although the 16 and 17 year old students are always trying to ride them.

 Jeff,
   Your carving is looking real good there. I'm sure it will be prized when completed.

[Bro. Noble]

Jeff,

I found the checkering tools.  There are ones for one,  two,  and three lines.  I havn't toutched them in 35 years,  but maybe they will still work

Better send me your address in case I can't find it.  I'll put them in the mail tomorrow. ;D

[Furby]

Shopteacher,
A set of drawings would be great if you have the time.
I think I could figure things out and maybe change the scale just a bit if needed.
The sister I'm talking about is only, um.......
DanG it, gonna have to ask on this one, but I think she's 8. She is very short and has a disability that leaves her unable to pedal a bike. She has a small hand driven tricycle, but she only has her right arm, so it takes her a bit of effort to turn the crank over.

[Jeff]

I thought I would bring this topic back up. I was sitting here looking at the Bus I carved for Tammy thinking it must have been over 5 years since this topic. So I did a search. Wow! It was 12 years!  Any of you guys making wooden presents this year?

 

[Larry]

I've been working on a platter.  In the picture I just splashed some mineral spirits on it to see how it will look when complete.  Its from an air dried slab and a little high in MC, so its sitting in the shop near the wood stove before I shoot it with lacquer.

Doing some stocking stuffer's now.  4" ladies hand mirrors and screwdriver sets for the boys.  I'm hoping USPS gets the screwdriver parts to me in time.

[caveman]

Santa's Little Sweat Shop opens again in the morning at 7.  I am certain to be greeted by enthusiastic elves.  They will be cutting out toy cars, measuring and cutting dowels for axles and gluing wheels to them.  They have about 300 to make for a neighboring elementary school's first graders and kindergarteners. 

[Andries]

Larry, that platter is beautiful!
What wood is that?
. . . and how did you inlay the bow tie and banana shaped white colored wood?
The elves are busy here too. Raised planters for my three gals.

[Rural]

I have been making wooden gifts for family members for some years now, started out as little things, a scroll work pendant, a simple pencil box etc and has morphed into more complex things as my skills gradual evolved. A table top writing box, a jewelry box, a folding step stool etc etc, the danger in presenting such things to ones daughter and grandaughter is that it leads to "Dad can you........" or "Grandad I would like......"
Thus in recent years its been a Captains Bed a 3 section bookcase, a screen door with scroll work corners and so on. I will see if I can find some pics of some of my efforts but in the meanwhile here is a link to my daughters commentary on what was the most challenging of those Dad can you requests......
https://creativescrapbooker.ca/blogs/where-you-create-with-mary-jane-rawls/

[Larry]

Larry, that platter is beautiful!
What wood is that?
. . . and how did you inlay the bow tie and banana shaped white colored wood?
The elves are busy here too. Raised planters for my three gals.

Its crotch walnut.  Inlays were router work along with a little bit of chisel work.

[WLC]

That is a BEAUTIFUL platter!!!  What lathe do you use?

[Larry]

Its a 20" General, one of the last out of the Canadian factory before it was shut down.  I feel lucky in giving it a good home with plenty of wood to chew on.