[Lightningbolt]

Now with Christmas behind us and a new year up front, the kids in my woodshop class have chosen "pirates" as the theme for this session. At first I thought that we'd probably end up building some sort of chest-style box designed from a pirates gold chest (and we still just might do it) but after a morning of trial & error I came up with the following pirate's ship.

Directions:
It's made almost entirely from just an 8" piece of a 2 X 4. Using the bandsaw we just cut the front of the block into a pointed ship-like look, then on it's side we cut off about a 3/16" section of the block which will later be re-attached, glued, & nailed back on as the ships bottom. The "guts" of the block are then removed with either the bandsaw or scrollsaw leaving about 1/4" to 3/8" sides. Everything is then re-assembled and a back piece added with wood glue and 1" brads as shown in the first picture below.

After completing this "base" of the ship the kids always ask me what do they do next and I tell them that it's now up to them. I have a lot of pirate ship pictures on the table for getting ideas and I've also completed a ship so they have plenty of resources to get their brains churning out their own ideas.

I know that this ship building project isn't quite up to the professional standards of BobS of WCI ship-building fame but perhaps, one day a student of mine will rise to such heights! For this project I only have three 55 minute classes for about 60 boys to get their ships done so that is the kind of project that I designed.

After the second class most of the kids progress is coming right along and they're coming up with some great ideas. I always have high expectations for them to make their projects "uniquely theirs" so creativity is alive and well! The excitement for building a pirates ship has been at least equal to their carving a walking stick last session and they're having a great time.

This seems to be a great project for kids and I highly reccomend it. My students range in age from about 12 to 16 but I'm sure younger kids would enjoy it too. Heck, I'm mid-age and I've had as much fun as my students designing, building, and adding fine detail to my own ship!

Isn't it amazing what you can do with just a little chunk of 2 X 4 !?!

[Lightningbolt]

Here's a small sample of the kids progress...

[Eddy Smiles]

And the most important thing is the sense of accomplisment that they walk away with! Great job Dave!!!

[Irishman]

Gee your clever Dave. No bounds on your imagination. Those sturdy looking ships look top notch. Everybody like's pirate ships so I expect the kids are enjoying the work.
Now I wonder what Bob S. will think of new carvers getting into the ship building business.

Patrick

[squbrigg]

Splendid topic for the kids to make!!! Love the two decker! Blow me down, we've a parcel of budding model shipwrights in our midst! Well done Lightningbolt, great project!!! Yo ho, yo ho!!! As Captain Jack would say!

Bob

[gene messer]

My hats off to you Dave for taking the time to teach those young people .

What a absolutely great project for young people ..

Any young person would be proud to display such a treasure as that in their room ..

Your are one very special man you are ..

God Bless guys like you who take the time to teach our youth ..

great job ..

Gene

[aulddiy]

You could n't invest your time in a better way. If it gells with just one kid its a success.
All the best
John

[Lightningbolt]

Thanks for the comments everyone! This is one of those projects, though such little time, still a good opportunity to emphasize the importance of add-on detail... masts, sails, crows nests', cabins, cannons, ladders, steps, ropes & railings, flags, port windows, and of course you've gotta have a "walk the plank" on a genuine pirates ship.

For those with an anxious child and plenty of time, then the potential for a great father/son or daughter project is great! Yes I said daughter because with our current studies there seems to have been quite a few female pirates on those 16th century pirate and "privateer" ships.

[woodtrapper]

I wish my w-shop teacher had your energy and your wood carving experience.The kids will take their experience with them for a long time as I did.A lot of schools in the states are not offering wood and metal shop any more.I can tell you love your job.Davy

[Eddy Smiles]

Actually, I did have a shop teacher like Dave and to this day I remember both him and his name. I've never forgot him or the lessons that I learned. In fact I even have some of the projects that I made. That was 44-years ago. That just goes to show how much influence an adult have on a child's life. "Mr. Alibrio...If you're up there somewhere listenin'.... thanks for all your help and patience because the good Lord knows I sure was a dumb s**t back then!"