Our Tap Storage

[lilscorpion]

My 9 year old son really ranted to spend some time making something in the garage this last weekend. I had planned, at some point, to make some tap trays out of HDPE that I purchased (1/2" Red, 2 sheets 24" x 24" for $30 ea) so I figured he could give it a try. Worst case we'd lose some material during his playing. I talked him through the programs and setups and he got rolling loading the vise. He did a great job and his little "four tray project" that he planned for a couple hours turned into half a day and he was begging for more after dinner. We used a 1/4" ball and a 3/4" ball to make the trays. We've got a 1/2" inbound to make the last two for the 7/16" and 1/2" taps.

He even had a good time sweeping up the chips. He thought it was funny that Red HDPE turns into Pink chips...

And the fruits of his labor -

And a close up of one of the larger tap trays. We relief cut them so that the taps sit only one way and are level and semi-aligned (benefit really, not planned).

He said "Dad, that's so much cooler than XBox". I think he gets my addiction now .

 

[chevy.stroker]

Very nice organization, and the bonus is time well spent.

 

[redwrench60]

Those look like you've been making them for years, very professional looking.

 

[lilscorpion]

Thanks, I'll have to admit, a ball mill really does all of the work given it does the profile work for you. HDPE is so machinable you can go as fast or slow as you want and can't screw up which helps with the finish. If I'd known they were going to turnout so well I probably would have made all of my socket holders instead of buying.

 

[2oolhound]

How much are they and can we get them in blue?

 

[JASTECH]

I know the good feeling you feel, my boy sure likkes working with Dad. Tell your son it looks very good indeed. If my son reads your post he will want to make them too and I don't have ball bits or whatever, it would need to be the cave man way of drill bits then cut in half, lol

 

[jeffmoss26]

That is awesome! Those look great, well thought out and a bonus that your son helped!

 

[Hammell]

Good Father Son story, thanks for sharing.

 

[PoolGuy444]

This is very cool. Where did you get the plastic trays?

 

[A_Pmech]

Nicely done!

I think I'm going to steal your idea for used endmill storage.

 

[maddawg308]

I like it! Looks awesome, very professional....

 

[reyna14]

I would mill them deeper then a slot across with a regular end mill. I have been planning on doing this for a while but also include drills.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Awesome post.

Thanks for sharing!

Phil

 

[cgv69]

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Translation: Very cool story, project and result

 

[RCStocker]

Great Job!
We need more fathers like you!
You will not need to worry about your son growing up.
He has intrest in the shop and no matter what he chooses to do in life he will always be able to work with his hands and head.

You get the father of the year award. Way to go.

I think if you make those up for sets of taps you can sell them. It would be a start on your sons collage fund.

 

[Steevo]

Excellent project and great idea, too.

 

[fflintstone]

great father son project!

 

[woody 73]

Great story I would kill to have my two boys want to work with me in the garage but alas no such luck, maybe one day!

 

[dirtydogintex]

Good deal from many perspectives!!

 

[Brad54]

Well damn... that's awesome, all the way around!

-Brad

 

[lilscorpion]

Great story I would kill to have my two boys want to work with me in the garage but alas no such luck, maybe one day!

What's interesting is that he never showed any interest but, as I found out that weekend, that was mostly due to him not feeling like he got to do anything 'cool'. After thinking about it last weekend, I usually give him safe things to do that aren't system critical like sweeping, cleaning, and organizing. Reflecting on that I realized that 9 year olds don't like cleaning or organizing. They want the nail gun, the hammer, or the welder... man stuff just like us. Taking the time to let him burn a little wire while supervised only costs me some scrap, gas, wire, and tips but the experience is something that will likely last longer than I will at such a trivial cost when considering the bigger picture. I'd never thought about it like that before it I get it now.