Neighbor kids got into my shop...

[TSwezey]

I am a fill and move on type of guy but I am really curious how sharp that indentation is. This could be an area for crack initiation and crack propagation. Round dents are OK it's those sharp gouges that concern me. At the very least I would probably drill a hole through that deep dent to stop any crack initiation. Just my two cents.

[Sig600]

Originally Posted by Tram

If some guy ever threatened my 3 and 5 year old children with a Rem 870, a dent in his pretty little airplane will be the least of his worries.

I'll assume you've taught your kids better too! Breaking and entering is not a small crime, especially if the owner of the house is armed. If you've broken into my house you're armed/dangerous until I deem otherwise.

I was also thinking more along the lines of teenage delinquents (which abound where I live). Toddler friends of your own kids just need a lesson in respecting other people's things. I think the lesson of having a 5 year old help fix the damage may be lost. At that age their attention span is about 30 seconds. I too would just move on.... But aspiring for perfection is never a lost cause.

[Tram]

Originally Posted by Sig600

I'll assume you've taught your kids better too! Breaking and entering is not a small crime, especially if the owner of the house is armed. If you've broken into my house you're armed/dangerous until I deem otherwise.

My girls are only a year old. I haven't gotten around to discussing breaking and entering with them yet. Especially not breaking and entering into the neighbors house who has set a precedent of allowing them in the house.

If someone comes into my house uninvited, they will be met with force.

Sure, it's a shame the kids put a dent in the plane.
Sure, the kids should not have been in there.

My question for the OP - were the children already at his residence playing with his children?

It appears to me, the OP has allowed the children into his workshop in the past - so the kids think it's ok.

He didn't state, or I didn't see, but it seems as though, perhaps the kids were already at his house when this happened? I can't really see a 3 and 5 year old easing out of their house on their own, down to the neighbors house, where they'd let themselves into someone's shop.

Sounds more like to me, the kids were playing at his house with his children and they got into the workshop.

If this is the case, holding the parents feet to the fire to pay is fruitless, even more so the Remington 870 talk, sorta like if you invite someone into your house, you no longer have the "right" to blow his head off simply for breathing the air in your living room.

[Sig600]

Agreed. Holding the parents accountable may not only be fruitless, but may make future interaction awkward and uncomfortable... especially with such young kids where a precedent has been set. But there is a lesson they could learn about boundaries and respect for others.

[Tram]

Originally Posted by Sig600

Agreed. Holding the parents accountable may not only be fruitless, but may make future interaction awkward and uncomfortable... especially with such young kids where a precedent has been set. But there is a lesson they could learn about boundaries and respect for others.

I think that's the answer..

Lessons learned by everyone and move on..

Awkward neighbors are... awkward..

[prporter]

...I think to NOT bring it up at LEAST to their parents is a disservice to everyone- the kids, their parents, yourself, and another builder whose hangar they want to go into next time. They might feel that the distruction is no real big deal and would do it to your neighbor that might also be building a plane..

I would be thankful as a parent if I was told that my kids had done the damage- this would at least give me the opportunity to correct the problem. You don't need to call the police, but if their parents are even somewhat responsible, they would be grateful that this the only thing that you did, and that you brought it to their attention, understanding that a more severe response was warranted but not chosen.

[aarvig]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
First of all, I have dealt with the situation by talking to the kids and their parents. I did not blow a fuse. I tactfully spoke to them about what was done, how much those parts cost and the amount of work that goes into them. Not once did I raise my voice or get mad. I don't want the kids to think they can't come into my shop when I'm there or that airplane builders are creeps. It was not done intentionally so I needed to act accordingly. Everyone understood what happened and I am sure it won't happen again. I let the kids watch me fix the dent (next thing you know the plane will be covered in microballons and epoxy ). Anyway, I am satisfied with the outcome, the kids are not afraid of me or airplanes and the parents and I remain friends.
Finally, here are some pictures of the fix. It is perfectly flat even though the pictures don't necessarily show it. Once primer is on this...you will never know it existed. I sanded the dent and crease with 80 grit (lightly). I then filled it with microballons and epoxy and sanded it down with 180, 220, 320 and finally 400 grit.






Being a perfectionist, this was a real learning experience for me and I felt that I grew as a person and in my builders skills. I learned patience and forgiveness as well as accepting imperfection and the end result is that I am better for it. As a builder I learned that I am not afraid of dents because now I have the skills to fix them.
Now its time to move on and get this thing done...

[pierre smith]

[quote=aarvig;587169Now its time to move on and get this thing done...[/QUOTE]

This is a great outcome!...Everyone learned a lesson too....and no one's mad at the other!

Best,