In my high school “Mechanical Contraptions and Automata” class, I’ve found that the best way to get students hooked on mechanics is to keep the materials humble and the movements…
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The Automaton Branch: Part I – Constructing the Pedestal Read More »
Raising the next generation of crafts person As an adult, I’m often asked what my parents did that all their 6 children craft things with their hands. It’s often asked…
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Tools in the Grass Read More »
And so we arrive at the final stage of our boat project. By now, the hull has been carefully shaped, the spars have been crafted, and the masts and booms assembled. What remains are the final touches that bring the …
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Building a Wooden Boat With Kids: Part 5 Read More »
In part 1 of this project, I described how my students begin their boat-building journey by sketching and transferring a symmetrical deck design onto a blank—typically a 2×4 or 2×2—and then using gouges, chisels, and rasps to shape the ……
Building a Wooden Boat With Kids: Part 2 Read More »
A Hands-On Sailing Project in 2×4 A wooden boat is one of the most inspiring projects a child can build. It’s an object of grace and adventure, deeply symmetrical yet full of creative variation. And in the woodworking shop, it’s …
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Building a Wooden Boat with Kids: Part 1 Read More »
This trivet is simple and fun to make – in any number of shapes.
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Fish Sticks Trivet Read More »