Son wants to make something...?

Question

So my son is a pretty good wood worker he has learned from me he said he wanted to build something all by him self i have no problem with this (just to let you all know he WILL NOT be using my power tools by himself) he is 13 can you think of a wood project he could build on his own ? i will cut the wood he needs and so on

by the way people this IS NOT his first project he just wants a more challenging project for him to entertain himself with

Answer 1

Is he good with a scroll saw? Three-floored, Victorian birdhouses that are used in the home for decoration, are becoming very popular. I see them in shops around town. They are ornate and the detail is intricate.

How about a dog house?

Answer 2

How about a really well designed wooden toolbox - for the tools he already might have - and for those in the future.

Nice thing with this project is that it is something that if built well will be something useful for him for many years to come - AND can also be as simple OR as detailed as he wants.

For example, the base can be glue and pinned OR you could perhaps have at least a couple of dovetail joints - for strength but also for practice.

Inserts which lift out and a hinged lid - either single (like a regualr box) or as the more conventional "tool box" style. with two half-lids side by side.

Just a thought - but it might be more fun and practical than the usual "spice rack" :)

Mark

*update** If this isn't his first project it MIGHT be an idea to give us a hint at the sort of level he is at - so we can suggest accordingly.

What has his most ambitious project to date been?

Does he want to spend 3 days on the new project building it, 3 weeks or 3 months?

If he wanted a three month project, then a short two-man boat wouldn't be out of the question - there are free plans to be found online.

Something pretty unusual for a lad to be able to say he has built from scratch - but nothing that should prove excessively difficult. However, it WOULD be challenging - especially if he then lines the inside with a more decorative wood than is used for the hull.

If you guided him and got the plans downloaded for him, I suspect it would be perfectly within hius grasp - assuming he would find the project interesting in the first place.

http://cruisenews.net/construction.html being just one example found with 2 minutes googling.

Answer 3

So, you want a challenge? get a scroll saw. Go to woodworkers.com or wieselhobbycrafters.com and see what they have.
They have some pretty challenging crafts for anyone with a scroll saw and he should be able to use one without to much training, just getting experience.

I have a wood working shop in my basement and am always looking for a challenge. I make mill wheels with water, lighthouses six feet tall, and, the latest was a replica civil war cannon.

Answer 4

A car or boat - like a soap-box derby car. Or you could go with smaller model-sized vehicle. Your woodworker's store should have some good books on beginning projects that would be fun for a 13-year old.

Answer 5

He could build his own entertainment center for his room, or a nice sitting chair for his room. I made one of logs not too long ago for my son. It wasn't all that hard though.

Answer 6

A picnic table

Answer 7

Planter box; book shelf

Answer 8

Think about what he likes . My girls would love to have cedar chest made like a pirates chest .( Cedar yes , pirate no ) . Make something for mom I know she would love it being his first project .

Answer 9

how about a work bench or a bird house?