Ignoramus8098 wrote:
> On Sat, 10 Feb 2007 05:24:48 GMT, Harold and Susan Vordos
>
>>
>>snip-----
>>
>>>I kind of agree with TMT in that it should be kept in a spirit of
>>>junkyard wars. Build something nice (meaning that something that
>>>performs a useful function) from scrap.
>>>
>>>He recently made a "rocket" from a Pringles can and paper. We launch
>>>it with my compressor. He is very happy about it. He even painted it
>>>gold.
>>>
>>>i
>>
>>Exactly. A child of that age has no concept of proper
construction------a
>>cardboard rocket is probably every bit as desirable to him as a fine car
>>would be to an adult. Way to go, Ig.
>
>
> Yes. You got it. This is not an exercise in building beautiful
> models. This is an exercise for the kid to learn the pleasures of
> making stuff (as well as the value of patience and planning). I am
> fully aware that the result will be far from beautiful.
>
> If I wanted to own a beautiful model ship, I would buy something mass
> produced in Chinese sweatshops using CNC, for $30 or so.
>
> Functionality wise, what I want from this model is 1) to look like a
> ship 2) be able to float in water 3) be able to survive exposure to
> "life" for decades, in case if he wants to keep it as a childhood
> memory.
>
> i
Start with a selection of pictures of ships printed out and up on the
wall. If he has a favorite book with a ship in it, skip this and just
blow up the picture in the book. Thats for inspiration.
Next you want a large block of balsa wood. I see its possible to get
2"x4" a foot long for about $6 or so. You
*really* *really* want balsa
wood because its so soft its easy to work with hand tools which means
far far more of it will be his project rather than Daddy's project. A
selection of smaller pieces as well for the superstructure and some pine
dowels for masts etc. should also be got.
It would be a good idea to get a small saw and hammer, You may need to
take a few inches off the handle for the hammer so it balances in a
kid's hand. These will be
*his* tools and you ask before YOU borrow
them. (with what you have around the place, teaching respect for other
peoples tools ASAP would be smart)
You will also want some stiff paper or thin card for templates. Trace
round the block onto the paper to help him with the maximum size then
get your child to draw what shape he thinks the deck should be if he was
on a bridge looking streight down at the ship, fold it down the centre
line for symmetry,.cut out, and stickytape it to the block of balsa for
your kid to colour round with a marker top and bottom.
Then its HIS job to remove the wood he just coloured. Teach him to cut
a little outside the line then take the rest off with a rasp. Then have
him decide how much more he wants the bottom smaller than the deck, make
another template (flip the old one over?) and repeat the cut
out/mark/cut away process but this time at an angle rather than
streight. Then its onto sanding it smooth.
Details on deck will be made from smaller blocks pinned and glued into
place (you want a supply of long brass panel pins here, steel
*will*
rust. Any 'oops' get fixed by you with scrap balsa, balsa sawdust and
exterior wood glue. As long as you avoid chisels, planes, knives etc.
there is very little risk of injury.
A few days later after its been pushed around the house for a while, its
time to discuss painting it. Basically, you want to get him to help
apply a coat of low toxicity primer (balsa is far too porous and will be
really difficult for him to paint otherwise) and you can improve the
surface with a little filler and get a second coat of primer on after
bedtime.
Next day, its time to see if it floats near enough level, correcting any
tilt by adding lead free solder (plumbing solder) let in to holes
drilled for it then plugged with filler. Assist him in marking the
waterline then get the boat dried off to paint. (an excuse to have to go
out for a few hours is good here). He gets to paint it (ask the
woodworkers for advice here) then a few days later when its properly
dry, you spray it with clearcoat.
I've read most of the other suggestions and thought back to my first
boat model which was on display till I was grown up and my Grandmother
died then heaven knows what happened to it. You need to keep it simple,
(remove anything that isnt boat shaped) and safe, which means no edged
or power tools yet. One
*can * cut onself with a small hand saw, but he
isn't going to do himself serious damage yet. Dont forget a dust mask
each when sanding, good habits start young.
Further projects could include a boat towed from the bank on a bridle
like a kite, rubber band powered boats (you
*will* need some sort of
gearbox to match the rubber band untwisting to a model boat propeller)
then an electric boat using parts guttted from a cheap RC toy.
--
Ian Malcolm. London, ENGLAND. (NEWSGROUP REPLY PREFERRED)
ianm[at]the[dash]malcolms[dot]freeserve[dot]co[dot]uk
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