Roll on 'Back to School.'

[Bodrighy]

Been looking after some of my grandkids a couple of days each week these holidays....much rather being at work. :shock:

Seriously, finding things for them to do isn't easy as they are both hyperactive, physically and mentally. Straight jackets don't come in their sizes unfortunately and SWMBO seems to think I am being OTT.

The younger one decided he wanted to have a go on the lathe. The fact that he can't even see the blithering thing as he is a short 7 year old didn't rank as an excuse so finally I gave in and between us we had a go.

We managed to make a hedgehog but true to nature he wasn't satisfied and we ended up with a family instead. Holding a gouge in someone elses hand is really hard and I was surprised we got anything done but he was justifiable pleased.




Now he wants he to make a snake. Not just a nice straight round one but either one that id wavy or one that wobbles (his words not mine) anyone with any ideas on making either an offcentre snake like spindle or an articulated version please please get back to me [-o<

 

[BMac]

Would making a snake-shaped spindle work if you then cut the 'snake' up and hinged the sections together using a mortise and tenon type joint (I don't know the correct term but it would look like a pin coupling for a trailer) between sections with a wooden pin to articulate them?

Brendan

 

[boysie39]

Pete, Bet you would not change your situation with anyone. OH ! the lovely torment :lol: :lol: REgards Boysie

 

[Bodrighy]

Pete, Bet you would not change your situation with anyone. OH ! the lovely torment :lol: :lol: REgards Boysie

I've got 6 kids and 8 grandkids and every single one of 'em bar a daughter in London lives within striking distance here in Cornwall. Yeah all right but just between you and me no I wouldn't. I even get on with all the inlaws so I guess I'm lucky

Pete

 

[Paul.J]

I know how you feel Pete.
Finding things to do is a nightmare :roll:
Your snake you could turn seperate pieces,round or ovalish shape,drill a small hole through the middle, lengthways,and tie them all together with some string or fishing line :?:
Good luck

 

[wizer]

I don't think I'd do off centre turning with a 7yr old. In fact I don't think I'd use the lathe at all. Cut the basic wiggly shape out on the bandsaw and then show him how to use rasps and sand paper to round over the shape and carve in details of the eyes, etc.

Hours of fun.

 

[Richard Findley]

Grand job there Pete. The best snakes I've ever seen were done by a scroll sawer (is that the term??) but it would work on the lathe I'm sure. Its cut into sections (equal I guess would be best) then in half length ways. It's then glued to some fabric - I would think some sort of herringbone type cloth or some sort of upholterer's base cloth? The first cuts allow for the movement.

Not sure I explained that all that well. I will also point out that I've never actually done it but seen the result and it's really impressive. I will try and find a picture. There was some at the seminar last weekend....

Cheers,

Richard

 

[Richard Findley]

Me again!! Here's a picture with the snakes just in shot (I think he was taking a picture of the arty piece in the back ground!! :wink: )

(Image "borrowed" from Paul Loseby. I'm sure he won't mind!!

Richard

 

[big soft moose]

that image isnt working for me

 

[Bodrighy]

Nor me but I've got the idea and it sounds a goer. (Don't tell him that till I've tried it out :lol: )

Re 7 year olds on lathes. With supervision, literally hands on most of the time it is a lot safer than letting one loose with a rasp. Make sure that they are wearing appropriate face mask etc and the lathe is running fairly slowly. I suppose it depends on the child but I have been doing this with grandchildren so far and the only problem is getting them to a decent height so that they can access the lathe. Mind you, having 6 children and 8 grandchildren I suppose I have experience. They also do pyrography with Sue and use the Dremel though I drew the line when one wanted to use my carving chisels. Now that would be dodgy. I do agree that offcentre work would be also dodgy, my 9 year old did a natural edged bowl a few weeks ago tho' got fed up sanding and decided to leave it Au Naturel :lol:

Pete

 

[Jenx]

I saw a fish once, done exactly as Rich describes for the snake... and it worked brilliantly ! It looked almost alive !

I cant remember where.. it was a long time ago, but it certainly worked very very well 8)

 

[Tony Spear]

Pete,

I've seen several toys like this - I thought I had some designs tucked away for future reference but can't find them at the moment.

However, one I do remember (or at least partly remember) consisted of a series of sections of dowel drilled right through on the centre line.
Two pieces of similar dowel were set aside for carving to make the head and tail tip.

Several of the main body sections were tapered down towards the tail section and a couple were tapered at the head end to make a small "neck" behind the head. I think this was all done with bought dowel and a small knife, but of course you could make the whole of the main body and tail section on the lathe, then part off the sections.

Each of the main body sections had a small depression in each end. (which can also be done on the lathe if you've got facility to hold such small diameters) to accomodate only part of a plastic bead (these were purchased from a craft shop). The head and tail section had an eye, made from the eye of a fish hook glued into the end.

A piece of elasic cord was tied to the eye on the back of the head followed by a bead then a main body section, another bead, then a body section etc. etc. The tail section was then tied on in the same way as the head. It was stressed that the cord must not be stretched tight when the final assembly was completed, but just be almost taut. A further fish hook eye was attached at the head end just beneath a forked tongue made from a piece of felt glued into a slot used to form the "mouth". This eye was tied to a length of non-elastic cord, which if I remember correctly was tied at the other end to a stick.

When the stick was waggled around side-to-side or up and down the snake wriggled very effectively, the beads acting as a hinge (hence the need for the bead not to be totally concealed between the sections).and the elastic stretching to allow the flexibility needed.

I hope I've remembered this correctly, but if not it might provide some food for thought!