At what age did you get your child into wood working?

[fritter63]

He used to call me "little Scotty", even when I was 30 something! I guess he always pictured me as the little kid.

I think that's just always how it works, summarized by this great commercial

 

[Tim Morris]

My son will be 7 in one month. He has helped me in the shop for two plus years. He mastered the hammer first then on the the saw where he learned the value of a clamp quickly. He has been scroll sawing for nearly a year. He loves every new puzzle or alphabet letter he cranks out. We were in Lebanon in January where Shane "allowed" him to try out the CXS and the RO 90 after that conversation I'm guessing those tools will be strictly hands off for me.  [eek]

 

[MTRANGER]

My son is 5, almost 6, I think he has been out there with me for almost 3 years now.  He dosn't come out everyday, and sometimes he don't stay out long.  I am alway amazed at how fast he catches on, he isn't allowed to use or touch most things, but he can mark a piece of wood to be cut the same length an another piece of wood to build his "scraper", the really neat part is he will explain to how if I cut on the wrong side of the line it won't fit.

I rambled there for a minute, I think the most important part is that you get your kids out there, and include them,  my son is in charge of putting the dominos in the mortise, he also uses the hand saw to finsh some plunge cuts.

Scott your story is very heart warming and reminded me of the time I spent with my father in the garage.

 

[Dan Clermont]

My kids started using handtools (mainly spokeshaves) when they were about 3. They were using the ET S sanders at the age of 5.

Now they are 7 - 10 and I have not yet tried to get them involved with power tools although my son  (7 year old) could give you a pretty good presentation on the Festool product line and the Felder saws LOL!!!

Cheers
Dan Clermont

 

[LostInTheWood]

The thing is, every kid has something that just clicks for them. Some may be great in school, some may not, but be good at mechanical things. It's important that we introduce them to new things, but support them in what THEY choose to do. I know far to many parents that push their kids into stuff they don't like. It's good that you recognize that. Who know, some day they could make it big, and they can buy all the festools you can handle! [big grin]

I think the biggest problem with kids today is lack of exposure. All the highschool "shops" have closed down. It's sad, and they wonder why we have a lack of skilled people for the trades!

I support that 100% 

BTW Scott, great story.  That was literally a Hallmark movie moment. 

 

[Eli]

The last time I pushed anybody to get involved was when I put my oldest son, Kai, in the top drawer of the toolbox at age two. I cleaned out all the chisels and pokey things from easy reach, and left all the rest of the tools in easy reach. Nobody has needed any encouragement since then, if I let them, they'll be included. Have to wear PPE if anythings running, and I always wear it in practice and by example. No one has cut themselves yet, and it's good motivation to keep dangerous piles of crap cleaned away and the floor clear from trip hazards when the shorties are in the shop.

 

[Pdevore]

Eli,
I have this vision on a 2 year old getting stuffed into a drawer, much like I use to hide in my mothers dryer [big grin] [big grin]

 

[Eli]

I went looking for the picture, it's pretty funny, but couldn't lay hands on it. A year or two later, I made a wooden lid for inside top of one of the bottom drawers, and by pulling it out, he had a stepstool to climb up on and have a play.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Well, I'm totally tickled that both my girls have suddenly gotten so interested in daddy's hobby.  It probably helps that going to my workshop is sort of special / limited.

It took a little browsing around to find some kid-sized real tools...  The Bosch driver was for me, but it's pretty perfect for their hands.  Thanks to Sean A. at Tool Nut for the red Mini-Sys.  Kind of a scarcity to find.    [smile]
[attachthumb=#]

Here's my younger daughter (she'll be 4 soon), who has been insistent about "helping" around the house, and making trips to the garage.
I did a few practice projects with her, just to get her used to the idea of following directions, and being safe, and cleaning up her toolbox.

A little "measuring"
[attachthumb=#]

Some practice sawing
[attachthumb=#]

And our first actual project together, a simple birdhouse.  She especially likes the "bamming".  But concedes that "bamming is hard work!" and prefers driving screws.
[attachthumb=#]

It paid off in a bonus manner... my older daughter (soon to be 6) was so enamored with the birdhouse, that SHE wanted to work with dad.  Yay!
So, we built another.  This one with a 'bird sitter' on the front.
[attachthumb=#]

We're going to paint them this weekend.  

Meanwhile, my younger has some higher aspirations!  And no, I did not dress her up for this picture.  I was setting up and she decided she would help.  Don't call Child Protective Services.  I, of course, didn't let her use the saw!

[attachthumb=#]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Look out Bob Marino!  There's a new future dealer in town, and she's 4.  [wink]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Awesome picture Junkie! [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

 

[Sean7a]

Great pictures!  They're adorable.  Especially love that last one.

I don't understand why there is a Bosch item in the background though.  I started adjusting the colors on my screen, for about 30 minutes actually, figured something was wrong.  [tongue]

 

[GPowers]

Look out Bob Marino!  There's a new future dealer in town, and she's 4.  [wink]

Your right, it looks like she is ready to take your order.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I, of course, didn't let her use the saw!

A friend of ours, when he was in high-school, found himself baby-sitting an 8- or 9-year old.  Well all of a sudden the kid disappears, and then a huge shrieking noise starts up through the house.

My friend runs to the basement and sees this little tyke pushing a board through a tablesaw.

My friend is beside himself, afraid the kid will kill himself.  "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING ??", he yells.

To which the kid yells back "It's OK, my Dad lets me do it!".