Thread: Another Grandpa Post

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A couple of years ago I gave my oldest Grandson Cade his first tool box and a few tools for Christmas. It was kind of an experiment to see how long he would stay interested in working on stuff and how well he took care of them.

I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out. He is usually out in the shop every Sunday he comes over and his skills keep improving. He also makes sure every tool is back in it holder and his tool box is locked and put away when he’s done. Naturally he got some more tools for Christmas and birthday again this year.

He’s mentioned a couple of times this year he thinks he needs a bigger tool box So I figured this year for Christmas I would probably pick up a box with drawers so he could organize his tool a bit better.

Well, about a month ago I saw this in the back of a truck that a friend was going to haul to the scrap yard and told him I thought I might have a use for it.



I had some aluminum diamond plate left over and a couple of locks from file cabinets that were keyed alike so I spent the last couple of days refurbishing the cabinet.



As all I really have tied up in it is the cost of a piano hinge and some spray paint I was still able to buy a tool box for the top without going over the budget we normally set for Grandkids Christmas presents.




Now I’ve got the hard part to do.......hiding it till December 25.

Here’s a picture of him when he decided it was time to repaint his bike.





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Start them out early Thats what my dad did...Great story but hiding it till Christmas?????

Very nice Mike. Hopefully the lad will understand that he's being "rewarded" for having shown respect for the tools he already has.

“.... Great story but hiding it till Christmas?????......”

I know Charlie, I wish he had a birthday between now and then but unfortunately his is 2 weeks after Christmas.


“....Hopefully the lad will understand that he's being "rewarded" for having shown respect for the tools he already has. ....”

I think he gets that already Bob, plus I like to think I set a pretty good example around the shop with my own tools and the tools of MY Granddads’ that he helped me restore last year.

He’s a great kid and I love having him around. A few months ago we did a repaint on the tricycle my granddaughter had outgrown .......we pretty much agreed that a pink and purple trike was not appropriate for his little brother. Cade did the dis-assembly and re-assembly ........I got stuck with the sanding and painting.

That was the catalyst for him wanting to paint his bike. On his bike, he did everything but the painting. He found out sanding was not a lot of fun, but he stuck with it every Sunday until it was done. I think he actually likes the bike better now than when it was new as he made it “his”.

I guess I have to post another picture here is his little brother on the trike we repainted........I’m looking forward to getting this one out in the shop too.

Originally Posted by Mike P

He found out sanding was not a lot of fun, but he stuck with it every Sunday until it was done.

Smart kid!!

Good job Gramps.....

Congratulations Mike on a job well done and successfully sowing that seed in your young man. My step father did the same with me and I was so proud of the fact that I still had them several years into my panelbeating career until some drug magnet stole all my toolboxes from the workshop. Have you got a good friend who maybe able to store the boxes in their garage until the right time?

I know it's redundant to say it but, GREAT JOB Mike P., as always...

Always a good time with kids, especially when you see that interest in things coming in to play!!!!

BTW, how old is Cade? Looks like he could be approaching that Jr. Dragster age??????

Dave, he'll be 10 in Jan. I would love to get him into the Jr Dragrster program, but there are issues that pretty much rule that out.

I really liked watching him do his bike this spring. It came out pretty nice, and after it was done he did the same thing I (and I suspect the majority of the members here) do.......he spent a bit of time just walking around it and staring at it. Kind of that WOW I really did this look. Just makes an old granddad proud



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There ya go, Mike!!!! Talking to kids about self esteem and confidence is good, but helping them to attain a goal or personal best does even more good!!!!!

I usually look at this site to learn about hot rods, but sometimes I get something better. Today I learned another lesson about being a Dad. Thanks.

Great thread, Mike! The grandkids (at least mine) don't always show their excitement to me when we're working, but Grandma says that later it's all they can talk about!
Hey, a birthday thought. Mine is 2 days before Christmas, and a gal once told me that her mom told her son that since his "real" birthday was so close to the big holiday it sometimes got "lost" in the season, so she let them choose any day of the year, with a minimum two week notice, for their "party birthday". One time he chose summer for a swim party, another was fall for playing in leaf piles, another was just during the school year so he could have a classroom party, etc, etc. The only rule was only one "party birthday" for each real birthday year - no double dipping!! Sounded like a smart mom to me...

Great job on the tool box, by the way!!

Cool Beans, Mike, he'll never forget this as long as he lives.
My first born is in her second year of College and they grow up
way too fast so - - enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy !

Well, after a 6 month wait, we had our Christmas with the Grandkids today. Cade got a card with the key in it and then it was out to the shop to see what the key would fit.



I picked up some socket and wrench organizers so he spent a while organizing (with a little guidance from Grandpa of course).



It was definitely a worthwhile project.


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Looks like one very satisfied Grandson to me, Mike!!! Guess you know he'll take care of the box and wrenches like they were all solid gold!!~!!!! So, is it about time for that Jr. Dragster now? Seen lots of them for sale on Racing Junk the last couple months!!!!!! Reason I know they're on there is that Lisha likes to look at them!!!! Shhhhhhh. Don't tell Grandma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!