Replies

1. 
   Tony Z | Sep 27, 2006 07:58pm | #1

   WELL, let me say this about that!  Being the father of 3 lovely daughters, ages 26, 24 & 6, I have experienced the identical situations.  With the older two, I was mainly a power tool person, and at ages 6 they simply hammered a lot!  At about 7 or 8 each started using a scrollsaw.  At ages 11 to 13 they discovered boys.

   Now my 6 year old just loves being in my shop with me (since aboutages 3!).  She loves egg beater type drills, loves sawing with a gent's style saw and pounding nails with a 6 oz. warrington style hammer.  She tried using a block plane a few years back with no luck.  Last Christmas I bought her a squirrel tail block plane from Lee Valley (Kunz, I beleive).  Sharpened it up and it planes very nicely.  She is able to use it very well in spite of her petite hands. 

   My advice is don't focus to much on tools to buy her, but rather on projects you two can do together!  It is all too soon when they discover boys!

2. 
   DCarr10760 | Sep 27, 2006 08:02pm | #2

   Sure,

   Bevel Gauge (fun to play with)

   Level (plastic torpedo type) she can check your work!

   Block plane (with your supervision, of course)

   Sanding block (we could all use some help sanding)

   Eggbeater drill (for stuff too small for the brace)

   To name a few!

   David C.

    

1. 
   MattInPA | Sep 27, 2006 08:11pm | #3

   My dad built me my own workbench when I was young. It was smade out of plywood and was about 3 feet off the floor. It was my space for my things. I loved it and plan on doing the same if my son (16 months) develops an interest.

3. 
   ETG | Sep 27, 2006 08:59pm | #4

   Suggest you purchase "Woodworking With Kids" by Richard Starr - published by Taunton but now out of print.  You can find it in many used bookstores on-line and in many areas and at Amazon.

   Richard's work is considered the best available; he teached woodworking to kids from K through 8th grade.  You will see the tools he uses for the various age groups as well as the projects they make.  It's an excellent reference for what you are planning.

4. 
   ring | Sep 27, 2006 09:18pm | #5

   Jason,  your post made me smile.  My father gave me a bench with some tools when I was 6.  That was 51 years ago.  I have run a professional shop for many many years now, where half a dozen people work every day, and the hammer and block plane he gave me are still hanging on the toolboard.  (The board's been changed countless times).

   Anyway, add to your list a coping saw and some rasps and files.  Kids love shaping pieces of wood and often have a surprising amount of patience with it.

   best,

   DR

5. 
   BruceS | Sep 27, 2006 10:03pm | #6

   How about a shop apron and flannel shirt just like Dads.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   JasonG | Sep 28, 2006 02:41pm | #7

   Thanks for the responses. I will be starting on the workbench this weekend. Right now, my daughter has a chair that she sits at outside my shop so she can watch me through the window. She will be thrilled to actually come inside!Jason

6. 
   rhino1 | Sep 28, 2006 05:39pm | #8

   I have a 7 year old, and just went through the same analysis.  I ended up having my daughter use many of my hand tools, mostly trial and error.

   I don't have the room for it, but when I was a kid, my father made me a bench of my own, with my own pegboard and my own set of (cheap) handtools.  We worked on many projects together.  But I also spent hours practicing my technique on styrofoam.  It was great to practice with my handsaw etc.

   My one other very strong recommendation is to get proper eye protection and proper ear protection.  Lee Valley sells some kid sized safety glasses, although I find the full face shield to be a better option as their faces tend to be on the leve with my bench.  Also don't forget a good dust mask to protect her lungs from the dust. 

   My kids are well trained.  The first thing they do when they when the come in the shop is put on their safety gear.  Then they want to wear an apron and start working.

   My final recommendation is to pick a good project you can do together.  My daughter and I have made a large stable for her Breyer sized horses, and a bed for her 18 inch dolls.  She takes great pride in those projects, particularly in her painting skills (you will have a gallon of pink paint).

   enjoy