Gecko Travel Box

  My Grandson has been hanging out in my workshop for a long time. ( sweeping floors) We've built a large number of projects and each one is getting more complicated and his commitment to the final result continues to rise.

  Most recently we made, to his design, a travel box for his Crested Gecko, Nacho. We began with a box, the parts of which he measured and cut using the sliding mitre saw.  I taught him how to clamp the wood to the saw table, and keep his hands well clear of the blade.  I am slightly nervous  when he uses the saw but....he is 13 years old and wants to learn how to use the tools.

  The structure in the middle of the box is a home for Nacho with series of ramps enabling him to climb up in the center of the box. 

 The lid of the box is totally screened over allowing for lots of fresh air and no escape.

  The major feature is the central tower that lets the gecko  climb up and see what is going on,

the box is approx. 30 x 30 x 20 cm with an additional

20 cm tower.

 

   As with all of our projects, there was a planning and drawing phase, a material prep phase and a fitting and fiddling phase.

  The lid is held in place by four rare earth magnets. Most of the screen was placed using staples and then  sealed in place with hot glue.  This project took us several hours over three evenings but....it is well worth it, and Nacho approves of his new traveling case.

Work with a young person in your shop when you get a chance, it is very satisfying. 

cheers, ianw

Anniversary Gift

   It is our 20th wedding anniversary, who would have guessed it.  

   I've been away from the blog and the shop for a while.  We had family visiting at the beginning of the months and I've been struggling with back pain issues lately too.

  So last week I finally  got into the shop to make a couple of projects on the lathe. 

  Recently my wife bought some rovings ( fat unspun yarn) and needed some really big knitting needles and a crochet hook. These items are 25 mm or 1 inch in diameter. The crochet hook was easy,  I rough shaped it on the bandsaw and used sand paper to smooth and shape the final product.

  The needles were a little bigger project. I mounted the dowel in my lathe and used chisels to shape the pointed end.  I wanted  the point to be exactly centered, using the lathe made that possible. Also it was quick and easy to sand the needles to 400 grit before using paste wax for the finish.

  On the end of the needles are disks that came from a clearance bin in a craft supply store. Wood glue and one self taping screw secured the disk solidly.  I expect some very warm scarves this winter.

  This seems to be the season for yard work and motorcycle rides. I will get into the shop if it ever rains again.

cheers ianw