*This post is sponsored by Bosch. We love how their tools promote continued memories with fathers and children.
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Ever since I can remember, the men in my life have been fixers. Perhaps you can say the same. And where would we be without handy hubbies, dads, grandpas, and brothers? I’d either be off the road with a broken car, or combating a geysering toilet with a tennis racket.
Growing up, we lived very near both sets of grandparents. I remember gingerly walking into my grandpa’s “tool palace,” and gazing up at the strange thingy-majigs and dooey-dads hanging on the wall like sports cars meticulously parked in their spot. Each tool was pristine and had its shape outlined in black permanent marker. Hammer goes here, needle nose pliers there. The #1 rule of grandpa’s garage was if you use it, put it back where it’s supposed to go.
On several occasions, grandpa’s shop became sanctuary for busted bicycles, malfunctioning pogo sticks, and old lawn mowers turned into racing cars. Grandkids lined up their broken treasures, anxiously awaiting their turn to be fixed. And with 32 grandkids, that was a lot of fixin’.
Luckily, my grandpa’s DIY know-how got passed down to my dad. I remember sitting by his side, wielding my little toy saw as he went to town chiseling, drilling, and shaping what would days later become a new swing set for my siblings and I to act like monkeys on.
My dad doesn’t ask for much, but his unspoken rule for Father’s Day gifts—it has to be useful. No highfalutin sponge to wash his hiney in the shower. No fancy nuts he needs a contraption to crack. No clothes (his ones from high school are just fine), no gift cards (“What do I use this for?”), and definitely no cologne (a little deodorant does the trick).
So my siblings and I always settle on. They are something he can hold in his hands and create something useful with.
If this sort of practicality sounds like a guy you know, are the perfect Father’s Day gift!
My dad actually got his gift a bit early this year—the . This was just what he needed to build my dream porch swing (hee hee!). A bit selfish, I know, but he was THRILLED to get the , which is an exceptional value on a high-quality tool.
My brother, an amazing DIY carpenter, got his Father’s Day gift early too–the Bosch Planer which cuts deep with professional accuracy, a tool he will use for many, many future projects.
The thing I love about gifting is that I reap the benefits! Not only can my dad come over and fix my broken door hinges, but he can also pass along his expertise to my kids. I gift my dad tools for Father’s Day so he can continue building memories with my kids.
I have this dream of a beautiful porch swing where my little family can sit and relax when the air cools off. We’re all swinging, making jokes, and drinking in the vitality of family life. My dad and brother building this swing for me means more than they will ever know.
I love the way this DIY swing project brought multi-generations together. My kids buddied up with grandpa, questioning how things work and asking to hold each tool just like I did at their age.
To make this DIY porch swing, my dad and brother used the , Bosch Planer, and . The fun news is, you can make one too when you win your very own (valued at $229) below!
And no tears if you don’t win. You can find the , Planer, Driver Combo, and Job Site Radio all for a practical price that is well-within your Father’s Day budget. Even better, team up with your siblings to get him the he really wants!
Bosch Job Site Radio is bluetooth capable and such a great tool. Listening to music while you work just adds to the memories.
The Bosch Planer and
The Bosch Planer
A lot of hard work and love went into this swing, and a lot of love will come out of it.
Props to all those fix-anything guys out there, we hope your DIY adventures continue and that you keep passing along your wisdom and mad handyman skills.
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To help you along your DIY path, Bosch is graciously giving a lucky HowDoesShe reader one (retail value $229)! So sign up and win your man something “useful” for Father’s Day!
*This post was sponsored by Bosch.
Shelley Coates says
This is my favorite swing ever. <3 Such a treasure.
Kristin Ammerman says
Sweet article! Love this giveaway for Father’s Day! (PS – adorable pics!)
Dana says
Great photos! I have great memories of running errands with my dad to the hardware store when I was younger. 🙂
Hillary says
My dad was always willing to be there for me growing up. Whether it be practicing sports in the backyard, coming to my games, or helping me with homework, he was there for me!
Bobbi says
I absolutely love this! My dad is mister fix it too.
Trudy says
Love the swing! Where did you get the plans?
Tana says
Yes- where did she get the plans. I would love a copy of them.
Sara says
My favorite memory of my Father is him driving an hour one a week to the coffee shop that my husband and I owned in order to take my oldest daughter to preschool. He would come back after dropping her off and we would have the longest, most serious and sometimes funny conversations ever. My Dad was tough growing up but became a bit softy as I became an adult and he started having grandchildren. It’s amazing how close we have gotten as we have both gotten older.
Amy says
Just before my dad came home from work, I’d run to his favorite chair in his office to wait for him. When he got home and drop off his suitcase, he’d come and tickle me.
Harmony Jones says
I love this little video and all the cute little faces in it! I miss you guys!!!!
Keri B says
Definitely would always find my Grandfather or father in their garage. Working away with all the tools. I’d always love to help out 🙂
Great post!
Jackie says
My dad used to take me to lunch every Saturday. It was his way of making time for me and getting to know me better. We talked, and often laughed a lot. I miss those Saturday lunches!
Jon says
Working on anything with my Dad.
Dana McKinlay says
My husband has been wanting a new drill. He really needs to replace his old one. Please, pretty please pick me.
Sheila Gonzales says
These are very amazing memories that you cant ever loose, the pics of the kids helping and the dads helping each other. You are truly Blessed ??✝?
Jennifer S says
One of my favorite memories of my grandfather was when he barbecued chicken for picnics. It was an all day process. People would travel in from out of state just for this chicken. A true labor of love. It was delicious. To this day, I’ve never had chicken as good anywhere else.
Ma says
This was truly a ‘family affair’! Great photos, too.
Brenda says
When I was 12 years old, my parents and my grandpa built the house my parents still live in. I remember watching and helping as much as I couldm
Missy says
My dad was always in his shop when he was home. I still love that smell of wood. I would sit out there with him and I would just sand away and talk, talk, talk with him. I had to be careful to not say, “Oh isn’t that cute”, because in no time he would have that built for me. Thus my love of power tools and building. Yes, I am one of those women who love to get tools for Christmas.
Cassie Jensen says
Several of my favorite memories of my husband is him being a Dad! He loves his kiddos and it is always amazing to watch him build them up while he let’s them help him build something for the house. Great memories for all of them!
Tracie Lockie says
My favorite memory is of my stepfather (who I call my father) and his dad (my papa). My papa every Sunday would ask to go for a walk, he would always place my younger cousin (15 1/2 yrs younger) in the wagon and we would go for a walk. We always ended up at the bakery to have a treat. Him with his two grandchildren. He passed away about a year later (in Jan 1990). When I had my first child (a son) it was just a few days before father’s day. I asked my dad (stepfather) if we could continue with the tradition of my kids calling him papa. He was so excited. My mother later informed me that when they left the hospital he was just overwhelmed with emotion for that. To see my husband and father enjoy that fathers day together and in a new light, best father’s day ever. Thank you for the Chance 🙂
Allyson Odell Hunter says
My favorite memory of making something with my Dad was the year that I had to make a homemade battery for a science project. We followed the directions to the “T” but it never worked for more than 30 seconds! We did have a blast though… The other favorite all time memory I have of my Dad is when we would take road trips, and he would make us sing and play car games. I remember every trip fondly and definitely miss those special times…
Amy Barrett says
My favorite memory of my dad from growing up was him making homemade peach cobbler every summer with fresh peaches from our trees.
Merine says
Great Family photos … Family good times!god bless this dam!great idea on the give aways!
Allyssa Jocoy says
My dad has been my rock through all the ups and downs he has been there. When I went to give birth to my beautiful daughters my dad acted as not just a father but also a mother he and my husband held my hands and brushed my hair through all of labor and then since my husband couldn’t get paternity leave from his job my daddy took it from his and stayed and helped me with his grand babies while I recovered , he would even get up in the middle of the night and sneak the girls to sleep with him and feed them just so I could get some rest. My dad is and will always be the greatest person not just to me but to my girls as well!
Camille Thompson says
My favorite memory of my dad is working out in the garden with him or handing him the tools as he worked on cars.
Michelle koelzer says
I played chess with my grandfather every Sunday. He taught me patience and so much knowledge in just a game of chess. Such fun memories❤️. My hubs would love these?
Robbi Wilburn says
My favorite memory was my father building a birdhouse. My father would have been 111 in October. I still have that birdhouse. Growing up in a large family (12) kids and on a farm was a wonderful experience of family, farm, love, work and togetherness. I love building and making things and creating wonderful crafts etc. What a beautiful family you have and I love how you show us the love and craftmanship using Bosch tools!
Lindsey Archibald says
Great giveaway! I could sure use this little baby as much as my hubby!! Teehee!!!
Betsy Barnes says
I have fond memories of camping and fishing with my Grandfather. 🙂
Robyn says
Love the swing! I have a memory of my grandfather holding my infant son, the oldest and youngest members of our family, soon before my grandfather passed away. It was a sweet moment when I saw a lot of tenderness in a pretty stoic man, so it really means a lot to me.
Cee Lee Reed says
Hubby would love to have these tools for all of his projects. We recently created a fan dormer in the garage (hot in FL) and these would have come in handy. My favorite memory of my grandfather was going to the beach and watching him catch a small crab for me to put in my bucket. He was in and out of the waves and the day is forever etched in my memory.
Laura Grace Andry says
My favorite memory of my grandfather was sitting in his lap as a kid listening to his Donald Duck impressions.
Amy says
The porch swing is gorgeous. My favorite memory as a child with my father is when he surprised me by taking me to a New Kids on the Block concert!
tiffany dover says
Definitely stealing bites of his McDonald’s ice cream when he wasn’t looking and the first time he took me fishing!
Terra Heck says
My grandfather has been deceased for several years, and my father has been gone for ten years. One memory I have of my grandfather is that he would always get after any kid who went out in to the road. He was loving and kind, but he threw a conniption if he saw a kid in the road, for any reason. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Danielle says
My favorite memory of my maternal grandfather is that of him and my dad building a bunkbed for me and my sister.
Danielle Papsis says
Loved riding in the truck with my dad. Working with him at odd jobs, as a kid.
Holly Hauck says
I LOVE that swing. Can you come over and build one for me? 🙂
Julie Bigboy says
Tools are always a welcome gift for my husband! My dad was not much of a handy man. I have memories of doing art and craft projects together!
Deborah Cochran says
My favorite memory with my dad was when he helped me make a birdhouse for some sparrows to nest in. He even let me put a pink perch on it!
carol clark says
holding his hand for the first time when i met him at 25
Deb K says
My favorite memory is when we went ice fishing,it was so cold and at that time he didn’t have a ice shack. So all I wanted to do was sit in the car with the heat on! I did get out and fish once,and my dad told me to go back in the car and then he caught all the fish 🙂
Melanie says
My grandfather used to take us on rides to see Christmas lights at the holidays.
Kathy Haan says
My favorite memories of my dad and I are the road trips we took together as a kid. He passed away last year after being on hospice in my home for almost 2 years. I sure do miss him <3
Stacey Smith says
My favorite memory of my dad & I were the many projects we completed together. We built a 3 porches & a 30×40 pole barn, along with countless remodels in our home. We still complete projects together with the help of my husband and my boys. Dad didn’t have a boy to help, so I became the helper & Thank god he did because I became very handy with tools and building my own projects. Good luck everyone who enters.
Menucha says
I loved our one-on-one ice cream dates!
Jessica says
My grandpa used to make me stools every year until I went off to college. He would do shapes like mickey mouse or hearts! I still have them all!
Stephanie Harriel says
Camping trips!
Annette H says
Some of my favorite memories with my Dad were all the road trips we took to visit his family.
Kelly Krol says
My Dad never did a project without drawing blood. He was an accident waiting to happen ?
Shawn Stover says
Amazing work!
Christine M says
My dad taught us to love sports and doing things outside, he always had us learning something active.
Linda O'Brien says
I always enjoy the moments with my Dad that give me a chance to learn something new. From when I was a kid being taught to fish, a teen learning car maintenance basics to being shown how to make stained glass panels as an adult… there’s a long list!
Kristi says
My favorite memory with my grandpa is helping him plant and take care of his garden. Then we would sit on the front porch, break green beans and shuck corn on the cob.
Rana Durham says
my favorite memories were all the craft he would make for me and the stories behind the making.
Jennifer roman says
My grandfather would take us to get ice cream the kind where the frozen yogurt is dipped in chocolate and makes a shell!
Sasha Cory says
The best memories I have of my grandfather are his Sunday morning preaching sessions. Every Sunday morning we would talk on the phone and he would always preach to me about something, school, boys, bills, safety. I always looked forward to those phone calls. My grandfather was my best friend and I miss him so much!
Harmony@CreatingMyKaleidoscope says
My favorite memory of my dad is watching football games on his lap when I was a little girl. He would always try to explain the rules of the game to me and called me his “buddy.” Either that, or him teaching me how to swim.
Lisa Peterson says
When my grandfather was still alive. On his visits he would take us to McDonalds to get the big breakfast. I also remember a time I went to visit him that he let me park his big car, thought that was the best thing ever!
Theresa A. says
I climbed to top of a high pole, but then couldn’t get down. Dad to the rescue….
Gina says
I’d love to win this for my sons dad. He has been a awesome support system for all of my family when it would have probably been easier to run away
Angela Alpaugh says
My favorite memory with my late Grandpa A.D. was picking Ozark black walnuts when I was a little girl.
Tammy says
My Dad and Grandfather were both carpenters while I was growing up. I have tons of memories of them at work, building things, fixing things, etc. I used to go to where they were working if it was close enough to home, and they would ask me about my day at school, let me watch and “help” with what they were doing and let me sing the songs I learned at school for them. Both are gone now, but the smell of sawdust brings back many, many good memories of 2 men who loved me unconditionally!!
Thomas Murphy says
My favorite memory of my Grandfather is the camping and fishing trips we went on.
German Lopez says
The most memorable moments with my dad was when he actally taught me about tools and stuff. He has tons of tools and was always building stuff for around the house like bookcases,tables and shelves. He even gave me my first set of tools when I bought my first house.
Erin Young says
swimming at my grandpa’s house
Rachel R. says
When I was little (and even not-so-little), car rides with my dad were a big “thing.” One of us would ride with Daddy to the corner store, or to the dump — not long trips, just a few special moments to have Daddy to ourselves. 🙂 (Dads — or moms — even if you don’t have a lot of time, never underestimate the impact something brief can have, when it’s a habit!)
Michelle Hahn says
My dad used to make the most amazing cinnamon toast. He would take the time to evenly spread the butter to ever corner, sprinkle a perfectly proportioned cinnamon-sugar mixture to just cover all of the butter, and he had the baking and broiling time down to a science to give it the perfect texture. Best cinnamon toast EVER!!!!
Jennifer Essad says
I remember our dad putting in an above ground pool for us in the late 60’s – we enjoyed the best summer
Terra says
Cooking with my Dad and making popcorn balls every Halloween! It is now my family tradition to make them!
Sarh S says
I have always been a grandpa’s girl. Sadly he passed away 6 years ago from cancer. I love ALL of my memories with him! I especially love all of the time we went to go get tasty ice cream.
Laura Smith says
My Dad built homes for a living. He built us some wonderful homes so I always remember him building a house and when I smell fresh cut lumber I always think of him.
Andrea says
My dad taking me to the annual County Fair every summer
April Vaughan says
The best memory I have with my father is sort of a doozy. I was never close to him growing up. Him and my mom divorced when me and my brother were babies. It wasn’t until I was 26 years old that I finally gave him a chance. He had hit rock bottom, homeless, living on the street or in a shelter if he made it on time. Long story short… One night me and my kids went to the grocery store and when we were coming back out we noticed the homeless people outside. My son looked at me and said “momma there is your dad!” I was shocked! I had no clue what was going on with him. Last time I saw him a few years earlier he was doing great. Good wife, no drinking, steady job, owned a home. It shook me up so bad. I marched right up to him and made him come home with us. Turns out his new wife died of a heart attack, he went off the deep end and gave up on life. He lived with my family for the next 7 months until he died. I am so glad I got to spend that time with him and really get to know him better. He would get up in the middle of the night with my new born son and it touched my heart every time. I let go of the anger and hate I had.
Susan Baughman says
A couple of years ago my husband, daughter and I took my father on a bucket list trip to see the remainder of the states that he had not seen. We spent 8 days flying/driving around the country wearing t shirts that said, Don’s Bucket List Trip. It was the best experience ever. We lost my father 2 months later.
Buffy says
I love this swing. I’m thinking it would be a great project for my dad and my littles:)
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
How fun that you are giving this away?! I’m married to a carpenter and my dad is super handy. Either one of them would have plenty of use for these tools!
Rachel Kamish says
So sweet. My dad and my hubby would both love these tools. They’re both major DIY’ers ?
Sharon H. says
I didn’t get much in the way of physical things from my dad or grandpa, but I learned how to spit watermelon seeds quite well. Love the porch swing and would love to make one.
Liza Gutierrez says
I hope i win this for my dad.Hi from Puerto Rico.
Summer I. says
A memory I have with my dad is we would all go riding in the sanddunes across the street from his house. I would be on a 3 wheeler while my dad and brother were on motorbikes.
Janna says
I love how the whole family was involved in this project….those are the best kind of memories!!! 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
Alina says
My favorite memory is of my dad picking me up from school and taking me out for ice cream once a week. Our time together to hang out and eat yummy food.
Sean says
Every day sitting on dad’s lap and reading or in my case, pretending to read (I was only 4) the newspaper in the evenings when he came home from work.
Stafford says
My most cherished memory is my dad walking me down the aisle. It may sound cheesy but it was the best walk I’ve taken.
Emma says
Just spending time together is my favorite memory of both my father and my grandfather!
Shannon S says
My Dad always wore cowboy boots everywhere he went! He would even wear them when we went to the lake!
icefairy says
My favorite memory was about my dad taking me to the zoo every weekend when I was little.
Kim says
My favorite memories with dad are anytime we would laugh until the stomach hurt and the tears rolled….and there were many times ??
Naomi says
My grandpa always makes me laugh! He would go out of his way to get a smile out of me and I never lived down telling him “grandpa, you’re weird!” when I was five.
Michelle B says
My favorite memory of my grandfather is when he would take me out to lunch while grandma played bridge. We would get lunch, a yummy dessert and then go play at the park. He was older but he would still push me on the swings and play with me, the baby of the family.
Carol Dyer says
My favorite memory of my dad was when we went horseback riding on a family campout.
Katherine King says
My favorite memory of my dad is him bbqing on the fourth of July. He made the most amazing ribs.
Karen Propes says
My favorite memory of my Dad was when he would let me help him do things on the farm, he let me help birth a calf and take care of the animals. I was the one of my brothers and sisters who really wanted to learn things like that and he would never say no. He said I was his favorite helper and that he knew he could always depend on me to be there helping no matter what time of day or night. Those words made me feel so proud of myself and my Dad.
Ali says
My favorite memories of my grandpa are all of them!! We had a bond that couldn’t be broken, up until he passed away our bond was still very strong, he had Alzheimer’s and colon cancer. When I went to see him for the last time, I had to tell him who I was he didn’t recognize me but when I told him who I was he instantly said my name, hugged me and started kissing my cheek. I am blessed with all our memories.
Shai says
Love the swing! I’ve been wanting to attempt to build a swing for a couple years now! Love this giveaway!
Jacy says
best memories of my grandpa are him walking around in his coveralls he wears every day, working on stuff in his shop. He’s in his 80’s and still goes out and works on things, and makes things. ❤️
Robin Jamison says
I loved swinging in my grandpa’s arms. He was as strong as an ox!
Jennifer says
When I was a little girl, my dad built me a wonderful playhouse. The windows opened. It had a door and was carpeted. I loved the shingles, which is strange, but it seemed like a real house to me with them on there. Now I know a lot of time and love went into creating & building that house❤
Danielle Neeley says
Thank you for the chance to win! I love the idea of the porch swing.
April Hunt says
Fishing is something that I remember!
Allison says
I can remember following my dad around and him explaining how he was fixing things in our house. I still ask him a million questions! 🙂
Cheryl says
So cute!
Cheryl says
I loved cooking with my dad as I grew up. We would sing and dance and make delicious food!
Terry says
One of my favorite memories is my dad taking me fishing when I was a little girl and we had a watermelon he had brought for us to eat, but he had forgotten a knife big enough to cut it. What did my dad do? He dropped it on a rock to crack it open! That little girl (me) was so amazed and it was such an adventure and thoroughly enjoyed that watermelon! With my daddy!
Kimberley Austin says
This is such a wonderful story! My grandfathers passed when I was quite young & my father was not much of a ‘fix it’ around the house, but my husband is. I love the way my husband takes the time to show our daughters how to measure, use tools and to build a project together. They both made really good pioneer houses for school projects with their dad that we’ve kept up on our bookshelves for a few years now.
Nicki says
I remember my grandpa and my dad building us a cute swing set in our back yard. We played on that thing for hours and hours!
Carly says
My favorite memory with my grandfather is also one of my last, he was sick with cancer and had a huge wound that was healing on his stomach so my Mom told me to be very gentle and careful around him. My grandfather insisted that I sit in his lap for snuggles, even though he had to be in a ton of pain, but he just loved snuggling with me.
My second favorite memory is when my older brother dropped his tooth down the drain and my grandfather ripped the whole sink apart so that he could give it to the tooth fairy. I remember being so amazed as he expertly took the sink apart and then put it back together. I later found out that there was no way to retrieve the tooth from an apartment building drain and that my grandfather had replaced my brother’s tooth with an old one my grandmother had just in case something like that ever happened.
lindsey waTne says
Thanks for the contest! My hubs would be so excited to have some decent tools!!
Kat M says
Anything my dad built was done meticulously. Every room in the house had bookcases in it that he made.
Marybeth Isle says
That swing looks amazing.
Kara Burns says
My favorite memory with my grandpa is being in his cabinet shop and watching him expertly build cabinets.
Amanda Kuebler says
My favorite memory of my grandfather is every spring, we would put up a carved woodpecker on a large tree. As a kid, I always felt so honored that it wasn’t “officially” spring until I helped him put out that woodpecker. He’s been gone for 15 years and that small memory is still my favorite.
Monica E. says
Love this! Thank you for sharing. My dad was our go to fix-it guy. He could do anything. He’s been gone for a year and s half now. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of him. Enjoy your family!
jackie sitton says
Love the swing. Amazing time with grandparents
Sadie says
My favorite memory with both Grandpa and my Dad, listening to the stories they tell. The vibrant cast of characters, the crazy antics, and the boisterous laughter!
Trenda Tillson says
My favorite memory with my grandfather is building picnic tables in the summers!
Marci says
My favorite memory of my dad is when he would take me fishing.