Two Bards: The Forum!

Hey folks! I'm going to be hosting another crafting day at my place on March 21st, and while this is usually just an open invitation to sword school folks to bring in stuff they're working on or need help with, I was thinking that I might try and have a project for newcomers to make that would give them something to take home at the end of the day. A good 3-4 hour project with minimal supervision that allows me to help others or operate the me-only tools like the oxyacetylene torch.

The thing is, I'm kind of stumped on what could be a good, low-cost project for folks.

My inclination is towards woodworking projects, since that's what I have a lot of tools for at the moment. Maybe small stools or something?

I'd love to hear your suggestions!

(P.S. You are all invited, of course, but I don't know how many of y'all will be in Campbell that day)

I don't know enough about the craft to suggest anything apart from boxes. That's what we did in school and they are extremely useful. Dovetailing and chamfering is required.

That being said, stools sound like a delight! And probably include a lot of drill press learning, which is good.

If you have a forge, maybe one of those teeny mini-swords you make out of nails? They're mostly hammering, nearest I can tell.

As far as woodworking projects, I second Andy's suggestion of "boxes"

Oooh, boxes could be really good, yeah! Especially for ren faire folks. I'm gonna be going down the lumber yard today to pick up some lumber for these projects, and I'll keep boxes in mind.

I don't have a forge YET, but I'm sorely tempted to pick one up. I'm taking a blacksmithing class on March 28th to help me get back in the swing of things there.

Well, I did the classic thing of not knowing enough when I went in to buy a product, so I ended up with a couple 8' lengths of redwood 2x10 that are in desperate need of some good cleaning before they'll be good for any projects.

I'd though I might make another small bench out of one piece, but I'm feeling a bit discouraged by how much cleaning there is to do on the boards before they're really ready, and by how I don't have a good way to HOLD a long piece of 2x10 for planing.

The adventure continues!

Not the worst thing in the world, but I hate that when it happens.