a hobby for my dad

crisgal | 14:01 Mon 16th Jan 2006 | People & Places

13 Answers

my dad wants to start a little hobby that produces an end result. He likes fiddling and crafty things but isn't very patient!

His birthday is coming up soon and i thought I'd like to get something to start him off.

He fancies leather work, or wood engraving. Has anyone any ideas? Does anyone do leather stuff? What sort of gear would he need? Is it expensive?

I would appreciate any advice/suggestions. x

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A friend of mine invested in an old radio (the kind that had valves) from a car boot sale. Said it kept him busy for a while. Had belonged to a smoker, and clearly no one had opened it up before. Full of dust and cobwebs.
Perhaps somthing like that. End product, wont take forever.

Clanad

Although I've not regularly worked with leather for sometime, I've always enjoyed the art. The tools needed to start need not be expensive and are avialable at most hobby shps here in the U.S. and should be in the U.K. The leather used to make belts, women's purses and other such is also available. A work bench with good lighting is a prerequisite, however. This keeps the woman of the house from becoming agitated when trying to set the supper table amid the tools and scraps.

Check here for an overview:

http://www.onestopcandle.com/leather/leatherstore.htm

I'm sure most tools and supplies will be avialble in the U.K. Good luck!

hannahjo

I�m completely going away from what you�ve mentioned here, but how about vegetable gardening? You could get him some planters, tools & seeds, and he�d be able to eat the end result! Of course he�d have to have a suitable space to grow them in though!

joko

how about becoming santa? he could carve and make old fashioned wooden toys and give them to underpriveleged children - end product - feeling of pride

crisgal

Question Author

Thanks for your great suggestion, hannahjo, but he lives in a flat and has no access to a garden of any kind!

joko

also cardboard theatres are popular - there are templates on the web to cut out and construct and painte etc

derekpara

What about picture framing ? It can vary from the simple frame with glass to, say, box frames for war medals etc or with cardboard mounts. The tools required are not expensive, materials easily available and the work can be done on the kitchen table ! Some family pictures look good in a frame - much better than an album which rarely gets loked at. And he might be able to earn a little beer money on the side !

There are evening classes to learn about this interesting hobby so there's the social angle as well. Good luck to him.

waimarie

Just picked up your suggestion joko, it's a great idea. Do you have any web sites or adresses???

waimarie

Sorry joko, I have just spotted you made two suggestions!! I meant the cardboard theatre templates rather than the Father Christmas, thank you!!!