Dog head hook

[Crosche]

A small project that my son and I made Sunday evening.

 

[DPittman]

Well that's pretty neat! How was it done?

 

[Crosche]

Well that's pretty neat! How was it done?

1 1/4" × 1/4" flat bar with the mouth or muzzle cut into the end and then folded 3 times to produce the chin and face. The features are set in with 4 different punches. Gary Huston on YouTube shows how to make the dog and the punches too.

 

[DPittman]

Pretty cool, I will have to check out the YouTube vid. Maybe I can tweak an interest in metal work in my young son. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Crosche]

Pretty cool, I will have to check out the YouTube vid. Maybe I can tweak an interest in metal work in my young son. Thanks for sharing.

My son did most of the punch work and I had him hold the material while I struck. Nothing like a hot piece of steel to keep one's attention focused.

 

[DPittman]

My son did most of the punch work and I had him hold the material while I struck. Nothing like a hot piece of steel to keep one's attention focused.

How old is your son? Mine is only 8 years old and I'm not sure I should trust him with red hot steel yet. Unfortunately for him, he has my short attention span! LOL

 

[Crosche]

How old is your son? Mine is only 8 years old and I'm not sure I should trust him with red hot steel yet. Unfortunately for him, he has my short attention span! LOL

Caleb is 13, but he started helping at 11. I have seen younger kids smithing; just depends on their level of interest.
Perhaps start your son off with making a leaf and go from there. That was the first project my kids did on their own.