I have two grandsons living 15 miles away. Yesterday, at Mother’s Day lunch, the younger boy, 10 years old, said “Grandad, can you teach me woodworking? My Dad’s never got time.” The silence at the table was rather heavy as my son, his father, is a good woodworker – when he has time. He has a family to support.
Now, MY question. Where do I start to teach woodworking to a 10 year old? What tools? What projects? I have a full shop of power tools but no way do I want to put a “small in size” 10 year old on a TS or jointer.
His older brother is a great guy with whom I have a great relationship, so no problem there.
Jerry
Edit – Ben is TWELVE years old, not 10. I told you he was small (his brother is 6′ at age 14). Besides, it is hard to remember when their age changes evry year.
To the first three posts: Many thanks for the remembrances and the ideas. The bandsaw is a good idea – “safest” power tool in the shop. I like the idea of helping on “real” projects.
Thanks again.
Jerry
Edited 5/15/2006 10:29 am ET by Jfrostjr
Replies
The Joys of being a Grandparent. My Grandfather started me at about that age on a Bandsaw building bird houses and feeders. The aroma of a big cigar and fresh cut lumber still lingers in the memory, thats 50 years of memory. I have started down that same road with my Grandchildren already, Cameron, 6 " helped" more like observed me build 8 bluebird, wren and chickadee houses. No treated lumber, just cedar. ENJOY. Next project is screech owl and woodpecker boxes.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Jerry,
There are a lot of different and legitimate approaches. I can only relate from my own experience, but I am very aware that other ways are just as good.
When I was 6 years old I got my first workbench and hand tools - including a block plane and chisel. Didn't touch a power tool until I was 12 or 13, and it did me no harm, on the contrary. I spent endless hours sitting on my father's bench when he worked, and helping with whatever I could. I think kids like to be part of real work, not made-up projects for kids. At least that's how I felt. If I could help by drilling holes or counting screws, it didn't matter. Afterwards, I played around by myself with my own bench, exploring with tools. But the key thing was how my father just made room for me in whatever he was doing anyway. I don't think that 10 year olds need to do a complete project by themselves. They just need to really be part of a project that you're doing. And by the way, if you treat them from the start like responsible people, they'll behave that way.
best of luck,
DR
(BTW - my own 3 kids, aged 30 and up, are all in the WW business one way or another. My grandkids ... too young to tell yet)
Jfrostjr,
When I was 10...all I ever dreamed about was being able to make three things: a bow (remember Robin Hood), a sling shot (always looked for the right tree) and a pair of skies. My best friends grandad had wonderful tools...draw knife, spoke shave, etc. and one of those sit on horses that holds the stock. In high school when I finally got to build stuff, the most memorable was a short picket fense for a flower garden...mom make a fuss...
Jerry, as a side line I provide kid's carpentry classes; ages vary from 6ish to 12ish. As was already stated, building something 'real' is more apt to maintain interest. My primary projects are a step stool and a tool tote. All work is done with hand tools. For the younger set I pre-cut the stock; their only challenge (tough enough as it turns out, LOL) is nailing it together. I even help out there by drilling pilot holes. I want the kids' projects to be successful! For the step stool, when working with older kids, we modify it by having a pivoting step/back. In the forward position it's an intermediate step, in the back position it's just that, a back to lean against when using the stool as a seat. Sorry I don't have a picture, but I can describe it for you if you are interested.
Probably the most difficult aspect for me is finding projects. I just picked up a book at Woodcraft, Woodworking for Kids by Kevin McGuire - it's pretty good, some good ideas. I have some other books but they are not at my fingertips.
One other comment; it's hard sometimes, but when the kid's standards and your's diverge, well, it's tough but sometimes one has to swallow one's tongue. ;-)
Have fun!
Jerry:
I have a God-son........now 17 but have woodworked with him since he was 8. We've gone from toy airplane to a full fledged skateboard half pipe. YEAH the neighborhood went "VERT", but now I've lost him to football and a girl friend. Who know's maybe I'll get him back for a jewelry box this Christmas.
The way I started with him was together we talked about our shop drawering, together we'd measure (he read the ruler), I'd do all the cutting and he would tail. I always over emphasized hands away from the table saw TABLE, and never left a tool plugged in.
When it came to assembly, we did everything with brads, screws and glue. Until he was big enough I had a step stool for him, I would hold the drill in place, he would pull the trigger. Same for the screw and brad gun. As he got older and stronger the hand drill and screw gun were part of his tool arsenal. The drill press was also a tool he could manger early on. I have a compressor with a Brad and nail gun that he would operate also like the drill. Of course looking back I remember yelling at him for, "I just wanted to see how far the nail would shoot". KIDS???!!!
Our first project was a limited run at a very basic jewelry box. Rabbet joint, luan bottom, butt hinge, and a top that over lapped so a perfect fit wasn't mandatory. We cut-out for the butt hinge on the router table and left the rounded bit shape in place, quality issue for you and me, a 10 year not so much. I believe a chisel in the hands of a child is asking for trouble. We made about 6 of then, he did all the sanding, I have a small Mikita palm sander he used. I did the finishing on them (stained and sprayed with Deft) and he was disappointed he didn't finish them.
I remember us doing a simple tool box for him, that we filled with an old hammer some bits, etc. It was 2 3/4 ends and a 3/4 bottom. The ends were like a gable roof with the peak cut off. The handle was a dowel that fit loosely between the 2 ends and swung as you walked and the sides were just 1/4" ply. Again I cut he tailed and he assembled.
To address his desire to finish, one Christmas we made candle holders for all the lady's. At the local craft store, we picked up the candle cups. Together we made bases, I put in a circle saw in the drill press and locked the pieces down well and he cut the round ones out, I made square ones for him. At this point, I put a 1/2 round bit in my "laminating router" and gave him his introduction to the router. At first I would guide the router but he would push it. The cups were connected at different heights with dowels so the drill press agin. Because he wanted to do finishing we painted all the candle holders using acrylic paint in Christams colors and had holly stencils etc. He loved that.
Probably the most fun project for him was a Bi-plane we made for each other. Goes back a while but we ordered 2 or 3 different kinds of wheels, wooden people for the pilot and made what appeared to be complicated, a relatively simple project. Again, after discussion, I cut out the fusciage, wings, tail section, and he did all the assembly; at this point he was very adapt at measuring, using the awl, drill press, drill, screw gun, glue. I would have to measure with him, mark, and hold the piece in place but you will be surprised how fast they get "turned on" or "jacked" as they say today.
JEEZ.........Jerry you've got me missing my woodworking buddy. Our last project was the half pipe and I know one day he'll build something again.
Jerry.........use birthdays and holidays as your vehicle to launch your endeavor. The positive response he will get from his accomplishment will be more important to him as a young man than the actual process. One last thing, I gave him his own place in my shop with a box thathis name is on and still has scrap wood pieces in it
I'm very envious Jerry.........do enjoy it........Neil http://www.furnitology.com
Be careful about power tools with young people. I saw 3 fingers in a pair of gloves. They were cut off by a bandsaw. The young boy was 14 years old.
I envy you and your 'problem'. I have but one grandson who lives 1500 miles away and has been 'hidden' for much of his life by a father that has custody and does not like to share. I have seen him only three times in 14 years.
Count your blessings and take great joy from them.
Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral.
Frank Lloyd Wright
My advice is to recognize that woodworking is a rich man's sport. This child maybe 40 years from having a shop of his own. So I say skip the stationary tools he won't have access to for the next 40 years and concentrate on things he can do in an apartment, one car garage (with a car in it), quick projects for a young family etc. (Likewise, I think every young person should learn hjow to fix a car, since that will undoubtedly be one of their first challenges in life).
I would teach him all hand skills, but you may find you and he can do a lot with a jig saw, block plane, screw gun, and stuff like that. Have him make something for his room or something that interests him. But I'd avoid the HS shop class experience (table saw planer, jointer) that intended to be a vocational education. Good chance that grandson won't go into that line of work.
Making historical reproductions is nice since it can interest a young person in learning about history. That's nice to do too.
Adam
P.S. Even learning to saw to a line with a handsaw would be challenging as well as useful for him. How about sharpening a pocketknife?
I'm now retired, but I was a junior high Shop teacher for many years. The first woodworking machine I taught my students to use was the scroll saw. It's almost foolproof, easy to use and as safe as any woodworking machine can be. Next in order is the drill press and a palm sander or random orbit sander. With these machines and Ed H's suggestion, your grandson should be able to build a foot-stool, tool-tote, birdhouse, and a desk-top book rack. Small to medium size boxes for storing baseball cards or whatever cards are popular, and toys for his younger brother are next. Probably the hardest thing to teach is ACCURATE measuring with a good ruler and square. As he shows responsibility, add the bandsaw and a lathe. Jointers, planers and table saw can be used, but only under CLOSE supervision. That also means YOU should be using all the safety equipment you have... glasses, ear protection and all the machines have proper guards IN PLACE and properly set. Don't expect perfection on the first project, but DO teach him that quality IS important, even if it means making a part over again. SawdustSteve
Jerry,
Many cultures formalised this arrangement as normal for both time and discipline (read safety - who listens to their father) reasons. Both Uncles and Grandfathers have a very imortant role they should be proud of.
My father takes delight in providing instruments and music commentary to his grandchildren. My brother has them out marking sheep and building farm sheds - where he explains the difference between timely delivery and art.
Dave
Check out some issues of the competing Woodwork Magazine from late 2005 for a couple of articles about woodworking training for youngsters as practiced back in the 1920s or so and I remember a ltter to the editor on the topic, I think, in the February, 2006 issue. It may be4 the Ackroyd method or some term like that.
Now, MY question. Where do I start to teach woodworking to a 10 year old? ..
Good question.. I remember what my grandpa did (he was a cabinet maker by trade.. I thing in the 'OLD' days that was much more than makin' cabinets!)
Anyway, all I remember is that he gave me a bunch of wooden orange crates, some junk tools, a box of nails, and a picture of a bird house.
As he left, he said something like.. 'Don't hurt yourself.. call me
when your finished.. I'll show you what you did wrong' Something like that.. Worked for me!
When I got better at it he let me use his GOOD tools. Well, some of them. I do not remember ANY power tools.
I had the same problem with my children. I never could bring myself to let them use any power tool.. Even if your watching it's to late!
I think ALOT has to do with the child and how they go about doing other things. AND will the child LISTEN to you? Judgement call..
About that Bandsaw..
They use them in meat packing plants. Hardly safe!
My oldest daughter I felt 'sort' of OK with her using my power tools.
She did everything with at least some thought first. The other girls wanted nothing to do with spiders they saw in my shop.
My 'oldest' asked me to teach her son. I gave her a flat NO!.. He is like a bull in a china shop. I love him alot and want him around...
EDIT I thing " think?
Edited 5/16/2006 6:23 am by WillGeorge
I'm overwhelmed with the response. My "inbox" was filled Taunton notices, which led to a remarakable set of thoughtful, caring suggestions and remembrances. What a great group you are! Thank you - and Taunton for this site.I will sort out the suggestions and match them to Ben's instincts and my abilities I will keep you posted.Thanks again, JerryP.S. My comment on the bandsaw as "safe" related to the fact that all forces are directed 'down' - toward the table, You can stop cutting, leave the machine on and walk away. Not so with most other power tools. BUT, all power tools are dangerous. The are incredibly fast to 'reward' the careless or unattentive.
Regarding finishing of a project: As we all know, this can be the biggest "rush" in a project, the closest we ever get to "instant gratification". Luckily, good wipe-on finishes are IMHO easily within the skills of a 10-12 year old or younger. Good rubber gloves (to avoid skin absorption) and old clothes, of course, because it'll get everywhere. Find one that has a long working time (great article in FFW a few issues ago, it recommended MinWax rub-on poly, which I now like). Ultimately, who cares about a few flecks of lint in the finish, anyway. Teach about safe disposal of rags, and be there at the end to insure he does it.
I have found the japanese style pull handsaws to be VERY fast (balancing a youngster's impatience) and yet pretty easy to learn to use. Sears has a $20 one with a plastic handle that works great. Yes, they are very sharp but unless your grandson is actually malicious (which it sounds like he's not) the worst he'll get is a medium deep cut that will hurt like heck but heal in a few weeks. A gentle press of his thumb to the saw teeth when you first give it to him should convince him this is something to be careful with, and I bet he won't get more than the occasional scratched thumb or nicked knee (carelessnss after the cut!) that we all get. Perhaps you can do the "big" cuts on a tablesaw and he can lay out and cut from there with the handsaw.
Sanding: all but a portable belt sander should be pretty safe. Be prepared for some bruises when the workpiece isn't held down properly and the sander throws it; as for the hand saw, one smack in the ribs will probably drive home the lesson forever. If you wear a decent (rubber) dustmask as a something "the pros" do, he'll probably be willing to wear one too. Just as important to young lungs as to old ones.
I have not used a scrollsaw but have seen them frequently. They do seem much safer than a bandsaw, esp. with the cover-nearly-everything guard they typically have. I wonder if their speed can be dialed down? They even have treadle powered ones, I've seen
If you want to teach a history lesson at the same time as adding a tool to his young arsenal, consider an 18th cent. spring-pole lathe (or a modern variation). These work at slow speeds, controlled by the user, but work pretty well on small spindles like candlesticks or simple chair legs in soft woods like sugar pine or soft maple. They are not too hard to build - the web certainly has plans somewhere. A nice thing is that, should he dig the lathe chisel in too deep, the thing will just stop instead of pullling the tool out of his hand and sending it flying lord knows where.
Enjoy your time with him. I wish some of my nephews lived nearby...
Art - following up on "Enjoy your time with him. I wish some of my nephews lived nearby..."
My friend Norm (who, along with his wife was a very special person) used to talk often of his 'grand neighbors'. While Norm built his boat over several years, he helped many of his 'grand neighbors' to build a variety of boats (and other projects) suitable to their needs. I don't know Norm's secret; I sure don't have any 'grand neighbors' of my own, LOL.
I started my son entirely on hand tools. I would let him build the little boy projects he could think up (light sabres, wooden swords, napkin holders, bird houses). He has learned to cut to a line with a handsaw, use a block and #5 plane and a rasp , egg beater drill and most recently a spoke shave. He can scribe a line with a square . He just cut his first (rather rough) dovetails. He is nine years old now. On one of his school projects I recently saw where he listed woodworking as his favorite hobby.
I think woodworking is great for a kid as long as they don't get blood on the tools. I have taught him that he needs to learn these things or he will never be better than his power tools. I think this has been a fun thing for both of us.
Edited 5/17/2006 10:29 pm ET by Biscardi
Thanks for the Scroll Saw post.. I was going to update mine with using them.. You can make MANY nice things with them and sort of safe for a child.. If they can pay attention.I have one but hardly use it.. I wonder why? I like it! Well, have made several Doll Houses for my girls and the neighbors (several)..
I guess I got tired of them askin' fer' furniture to go with it.. LOL
I suggest you also show him the use of the Stanley 12-960 Contractor Grade Low Angle Plane
This hand tool is small and very useful. I agree keep away from jointer. This plane will let you.
Good Luck!
Link to Amazon for plane
http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000223QX/ref=pd_sim_hi_2/103-4344129-2712650?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled