Replies

1. 
   booch | Mar 25, 2003 04:49pm | #1

   Congrats,

   I've ran my 3 boys thru most of my tools. 17,15,11. I generally show them how it works. Let them do it with me holding the implement with them. Then I talk about F-ups and how to protect themselves. (ie Skil saw kick back. ) I show them w/o power how the saw moves when it kicks and how to align their body away from the path. almost all of the time I stop what I'm doing to spot for them. The older they are the less I "watch" overtly, I always worry.

   Buy him his own safety glasses, give him his own place to work, buy him tools for his birthday. He'll take fewer of yours when he leaves the nest if you start buying now.

   As they get older (1st year of highschool) they get really separate and squirrely. I think it is genetic so they are actually ready to leave the nest. Working side by side (even if you don't talk) really reduces the tension. As my Dad said, "If you want them to stay as sweet as they are you need to keep them away from their friends" Don't give up the time together. Oh yea, bite your tongue often!

   Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
1. 
   ToolDoc | Mar 25, 2003 07:03pm | #2

   Booch : I like your ideas,sounds like you have them down pat..lol..

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Mar 25, 2003 07:12pm | #3

   Doc

      Booch has pretty much nailed it. The only thing I might add is if in another year or so, when he is more knowledgeable than any adult could ever possibly be; check out the requirements for the Federal Witness Protection Program, The name is deceptive. It was really created for parents of teen-agers. Think I'm kiddin'. huh!? ha..ha..

   Keep him busy as there are a lot worse things on the street..

   sarge..jt

1. 
   ToolDoc | Mar 25, 2003 07:40pm | #4

   SARGE: AS usual your right, I would sooner have him & his friends in the shop than running around who knows where..LOL...Guess I better load up with a few more gross of scroll saw blades & a few more sheets of plywood and just let em cut there little hearts out..<G>...

                                                       ToolDoc

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Mar 25, 2003 09:58pm | #7

   Doc

      You are a gentleman and a scholar. You won't regret giving the kids some direction. It is not good at their ages to get bored. They can wander quickly. I do not speak with forked tongue.I have a just turned 17 yr. old that I am (now) very proud of. He just went over two years drug free about a week ago. He speaks in schools with the local Sheriff's Drug Program about what happens with trying to be cool and boredom.

      Get plenty of blades and encourage him to encourage his friends to participate. If you need help buying blades, e-mail me. Checks in the mail.

   Times a wastin'

   sarge..jt

2. 
   ToolDoc | Mar 26, 2003 06:37am | #9

   SARGE: Thanks for the kind words,I see that your Son has also turned into a Fine Gentleman like yourself & you can be very proud of him as I am of mine also..Guess the Apples didnt roll far from the tree..<G> ... Were both very lucky to have kids that are turning out A-ok, in these troubling times its all to easy for our youth to turn there focus on Drugs & other not soo good activites.. Im just glad mine & his Buddies are in the Shop & out of Non-Sense.. There will always be Blades  & materials there for em to use & anything  else they need , I even loaded the Ref up with soda for them .. Only thing they arent getting to use is the New Delta P20  thats off limits..hey a guy has to stake claim to something..hehe...

    Take care Buddy...                ToolDoc

2. 
   All10Attache | Mar 25, 2003 07:46pm | #5

   I can't pick up a tool in my shop without remembering the 'lessons my father taught me'.  At times it's kind of spooky, thinking that he's looking over my shoulder to make sure i'm doing it right.  I've done the same with my 3 sons too.

   Good luck and good going.

   JB

1. 
   ToolDoc | Mar 25, 2003 08:45pm | #6

   Guess we all have fond memories of that "special " someone who took the time to teach us those tricks and common sense that we learned along the line..I too have fond memories of my Dad who left me many fine hand & power tools and of the Great times we had together in the shop...

                                                                        ToolDoc

1. 
   GrouchieGrum | Mar 25, 2003 10:03pm | #8

   I received plenty of tools growing up, funny how they disappeared when I left home... was over at my parental units place last week, and I swear I saw a socket wrench with my initials on it before it was scurried away into the tool chest... I have a feeling this buying tools and having other tools disappear when the child leaves home, goes both ways.....

   I am 32 now, and am really starting to have a hunger for knowledge in wood/metalworking... First christmas it happened, I hated getting those tools as presents, but that didnt last long... now adays when people ask me "What do you want for birthday/christmas/whatever?", I just say the first thing that pops into my mind... "CLAMPS!!!! AND LOTS OF EM!!!!"... kinda funny now, we go to rockler/local wood stores/etc.. and my wife heads to the clamp aisle.. she knows what I need.. hehe

1. 
   ToolDoc | Mar 26, 2003 06:40am | #10

   Hmmm now that I think of it I can start buying even more toys errr I mean toolsfor the shop soo that my little guy has what he needs  to work on any projects that might come up...

   Happy Woodworking..             ToolDoc

1. 
   plinthe | Mar 26, 2003 07:27am | #11

   Sorry if I'm getting mushy,

   but I just wanted to thank you all for inspiring me to be a better father and spend more time with my daughter. After all, many of us hide from the world alone in our shops...

   Last summer I showed her the art of nailing two pieces of wood together. Tomorrow I will show her how to sweep my shop ;-)

   Plinthe

2. 
   BrianF | Mar 26, 2003 04:13pm | #12

   Great topic. I became a stay at home dad about 6 yrs ago when my daughter was born. She has been in my shop almost her whole life. When I'm not doing any heavy machining of stock they play and create. She and my 3yr old son take all the scraps out of the bin and glue up "sculptures". I have to watch small pieces that are part of my projects, many have become parts of their projects. Last summer my daughter started cutting on a scroll saw that was my father's first power tool. I had to create safety gaurds for it, not too many safety guidelines 50 yrs ago. She also likes to relief carve some of her art work with one of my small gouges on 1/4" ply scraps.

   Becoming a stay at home dad was the best choice we have ever made. I only have to do a few projects a month to bring in some income to make up for what I would have made minus daycare. I get to spend every day with my kids. We spend alot of time out hunting, fishing, exploring and a little wood working. I know those are the things I remember the most with my father, and I only had weekends and evenings with him. Keep up the good work with the kids. I hoping at some point that skilled crafts people will become even more valuable, and my kids will be able to do things for themselves even if it is only for a hobby when they grow up.

   Brian

   P.S. Even 6 yr old can do a pretty good job sweeping up shavings on the floor.

3. 
   ToolDoc | Mar 26, 2003 05:53pm | #13

   Hmmmm Sweep up my shop dang why didnt I think of having them do that..LOL

4. 
   booch | Mar 27, 2003 03:07am | #14

   'Cause mine do and I can't find lots of small stuff after they go thru the place. Sweeping turns to vacuuming and next thing you know I'm pawing thru a 16 gallon bucket of sawdust and smutz trying to find a brad point bit set and the nuts and bolts for the power tool I took apart.

   Brooms are good vacuums are not.  Remember to always review the tailings. Oh and remember not to complain too loudly.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?