When we went to San Diego a couple of weeks ago, we visited the design in wood exhibition at the fair. They had some turners there and my boys-but especially my oldest son- was very enthralled when the turners were making tops. He asked if we could make one and of course I said yes!

It's a bit heavy centered, but he did quite a bit of the turning himself (he is 9). In the past he has done pens and a couple of other bits on the lathe. He had his first real catch today (spindle gouge) and it spooked him a bit, but he got right back to it after a little encouragement (and after I told him that I got catches when I first started out too) He is usually very good about riding the bevel but caught an edge when he tried to go uphill...


My youngest didn't want to be out in the hot shop (102 today) so we set up his scalextric set and did some racing... he is 7 and kicked my tail around the track...
Thanks for looking- and Happy Father's day
Lawrence