Planet Green
READ MORE ABOUT:
Steve Thomas is the host of Planet Green's Renovation Nation, a program that focuses on making green renovations to homes across the country. In his regular column on PlanetGreen.com, Steve goes behind the scenes of the show and offers additional tips and insight on green renovation.
On my upcoming media tour, we're going to be discussing Father's Day and looking at a couple of different hand planes, a couple of tiny little block planes and 24-inch joiner planes. Modern planes can be plugged in, but a good handheld plane is a treat to use.
We'll also talk about a couple of different types of woods that are easily worked with your kids: Mahogany, pine poplar, cherry. A lot of the woods are grown right here in America. Cherry, poplar and pine can all be American woods.
As a kid, I remember my grandfather had a lot of the same planes that are used today. The Lie-Neilsen planes are made on the design of the old Stanley hand planes that were around for generations. If you buy quality, you only have to buy the tool once. You can use it your whole lifetime. You can pass it on to your son or daughter. He or she can use it for their whole lifetime, and the tool can be passed down again and again.
I remember distinctly the pleasure of simply planing a piece of pine with a well-sharpened, well-tuned hand plane. That in and of itself is a great thing to do with your kid. You don't even have to make anything out of the wood, just plane it.
By the way, I used to do this with my son. He loved it, absolutely loved it.
Looking for a Father's Day gift? Consult our green gift guides:
Great Green Alternatives to Traditional Gifts for Dads and Grads
Trehugger: Father's Day Green Gift Guide: 10 Presents Dad Will Adore
Do It Yourself
Celebrate Father's Day with Steve Thomas
7 Easy Around-the-House Projects to do with Dad for Father's Day
How to Make Used Furniture New With a Simple Paint Job
Lazy? Green? Grow a Weed Garden
Go Green: Home & Garden
