I think I might be losing it...

Nicely done! I like the design. Nothing wrong with going small. It forces you to focus more and more on the detail work. Great job!

-- christopheralan http://www.projectwoodworks.com

Isn’t it funny that now days no one would consider giving a 3yo real tools (even if they are smaller). I used to have a set but was a little older (7yo I think) and still wish I kept it. My 8yo son now uses my bandsaw, bench sander and drill press – but some of his friends I would not trust there maturity/common sense to use a screw driver. For that matter my 12yo daughters best friend I would no trust with a foam hammer!

-- The wood slayer - Yes dear I did plan to make more kindling out of that wood I have been drying for the last year - honest!

Nice box. And great picture.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

You’ve gotta love that picture of you guys, young LumberJocks in the making.

<rant>

Funny thing Andraxia, I just thought the same. I think kids today are way too much shielded and that makes them develop self-confidence and skills issues. I used to use tools and do all kinds of “dangerous” things and I never hand any problem with it. At age 8 or so I almost everyday rode with our friends in our biles miles away from home and nobody knew where we where till the night came, no cellphones, nothing. The heck, I even cracked my head open a few times and it seems that I am still alive!

I guess in our old age we’re gonna be ruled by pussies… wait, no. it is already happening! :o)

</rant>

Apart from that, Michael, and given that you seem to be very well engaged in the slippery slope of miniaturizing your work, you want to check this out. Larry does an amazing job in the field.

Just keep on sharing your work with us.

I have always said that there isn’t much differnce in making a blanket chest or a jewelry box, basic same procedure, just different sizes. Then I add, it is more difficult to make a small item because of the safety aspects and there is less room to hide any imperfections.

Awesome job on the box

Amazing craftsmanship on the model furniture.

My woodstove is starving, I keep taking wood out of the bin to make things. You are not hte only who thinks they are losing it. Nice box. Larry

-- It is, what it is.

I recall spending about as much time playing with matchbox cars as tools, before I could ride a bike, I was adding onto my tree fort and making “stuff”

I guess those little model making power tools (proxxon I think?) – table saw, drill press etc… are starting to look good eh?

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Thanks for everybody’s comments! I followed my Dad through all of his home repair projects from the time I was walking pretty much, so it was only natural for me to get my own tools. It is funny that you don’t see that sort of thing much anymore. I actually built tree houses with those tools, so far up in the trees, when my parents saw them, they had to be taken down! Asked my Mom one time about it, asking from today’s perspective “Gee, Ma, how could you ever have let me do all those incredibly dangerous things I used to do?” Her answer was, without hesitation, “Because you could.” She said she never worried about me getting hurt or doing something genuinely stupid, while my brothers, on the other hand, she had to watch out for, for their own safety and her own peace of mind.
As far as miniature work, I’m not really shooting for that and am in absolute awe of some of the work I’ve seen done by others. I don’t have the eyesight, the abilities, the tools, nor the time for it. Some of my projects have been small, it’s true, but mostly from the constraints of available material. For instance, my latest cache of materials is a small box full of tiny Cedar scraps that a buddy of mine gave me. The longest pieces are only about 6” long but I’m probably going to “use ‘em ‘til they’re gone” because the stuff is such a pleasure to work with and is so beautiful when the finish is applied. I’ll be sure to keep everyone apprised of any new developments, and again, I want to thank everbody for their time and thoughts!
Michael C.

-- Mike in Concord, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

Cute box.Love the xmas picture and a Merry One to you too.

-- Dustygirl..Hastings,Ontario.. How much wood can 1 gal chuck if 1 gal can't cut wood?