Project From my Youth

john · Post by **john** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:27 pm

My dear wife has started cataloging all our belongings and came upon this jewellery box I made in high school Wood Shop (around 1954) and gave to my girlfriend at the time, (her). If I recall, it is finished with shellac and several coats of paste wax. It is now a little beat up and off kilter from years of hanging around but still functional though not in use. [ATTACH]24656[/ATTACH]

We also found a cutting board (walnut and maple) that my son made for us when he was in high school, circa 1975/76. I know she took a picture but I can't find seem to find it in her massive file

I remember woodworking, metalworking, typesetting (that has long disappeared) and silk screening in print shop, auto mechanics, and drafting as being mandatory classes for boys. All handy experience at the time.Too bad more of our younger generation do not have access to shop classes like we did.

Have Fun and be Safe.

John

Jack Wilson · Post by **Jack Wilson** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:30 pm

I agree that it is a shame. I really enjoyed those classes and used the drafting skills I learned to do part time side work to help put my oldest daughter through college.

steve4447 · Post by **steve4447** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:21 pm

Wonderful keepsake from you youth...And nicely made too...

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:31 pm

As always - I agree with you on the lack of manual arts, but as a remembrance that is a very pretty box. Even has curved ends! Also it is a fine example that shellac and wax finishes hold up nicely. Very nice work!:)

teacherman · Post by **teacherman** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:32 pm

I used what I learned in 8th grade metal shop to forge and temper air chisel bits for stone carving, and I had a business carving stone animals and mantelpieces for several years. 7th grade wood shop was my first experience using a lathe. Glad I have an old Greenie, because that is likely the only lathe my son will get to use while he is growing up.

john · Post by **john** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 9:03 pm

Chuck:

It doesn't show but the top is rounded also.

I remember this project well for the teacher putting me in mortal fear of the band saw. It was a huge machine, well at least it looked huge, and there was no guard around most of the blade. We were warned that if it broke, it could do serious and ugly damage to our bodies. Of course in today's world this would have lawyers lined up waiting for cases.

My uncle also had one that was similar. A blade attached to some mechanisms run from a belt attached to a motor. I was younger then so did not know enough to be worried. I still have some of the trucks he made for us children to play with when we visited. Very primitive with wheels, etc. attached with nails. Again not acceptable today but fortunately we all survived.

When I got my SS I was a bit wary of the band saw until I broke my first blade then realized that with all the covering, not too much is going to fly. Can't say enough good about a SS!

John