Thread: What age for kids in a workshop?

My boys were in the workshop from about 4yrs onwards. Favorite pleasure for them was at the end of the day or weekends they used to pick up all the odd weird shaped scrap from the bandsaw. Then USE their imagination and build stuff and play.

Grand kids came into the hallowed halls around the same age. Now 7 and 8 they can use planes screw drivers and hammers and vices.

Sharp things are for later on 12 or so, depending on interest level and responsibility displayed.

I think there is a tendency to cotton wool wrap kids up today, takes a lot of fun out of growing up.

Thank goodness the OH&S police were not around in my day or else I would not have been able to build (and wreck billy carts) make bows and arrows use sling shots or the like and guess what after all that terrible behaviour I survived.

It's amazing how quickly you learn when a bit of pain is involved such as a hammer blow to the thumb, a pinch from the vice handle or dropping something on your foot.

I do agree in keeping the power tools away because bruised and cuts heal but fingers don't grow back.

Not sure if that's any help but Kids love doin' shed work


Cheers


Steve

This subject has been discussed previously on the forum and I guess there is no set rule one way or the other. I guess each parent has to make the judgement themselves knowing the child as they do and how he/she behaves under the rules set down by the parent in the workshop. its difficult to come up with a hard and fast set of rules that could apply to each and every child..

As John/Munruben said.

Phone call from eldest son who has my router ATM "Dad I nearly killed my
eldest son, router bit span out of the router and went sailing right where he was standing just 5 seconds earlier."
The 4 yr old is a keen shed/workshop helper with some of his own tools already. This frightened my eldest son somewhat of course still shaking 20mins latter. We will not deter a keen mind and inquisitive boy more rethink and retrain ourselves first and then him to safe working areas distances.

I often here of industrial accidents from well trained or should be workers who have been shot with nail guns stapple guns rivert guns. Drilled their hands, hair caught in drills and more.


In some countries by 10 they are shooting at people.

Welcome to the forum Echo1989 great to have you with us
Most of my tools come from your country
Colbra

Originally Posted by echo1989

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "echo1989",
You'll find a heap of knowledgable & helpful blokes & ladies on the forum all willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo especially WIP photos with build notes.
You've found your way into the Toy Section; top bunch of blokes & ladies here,
BUT Make sure you introduce yourself to the rest of the mob in the "Welcome Section".
What are you doing in China?
How's your shed setup and tool collection?
Enjoy your woodwork.
Enjoy the forum.
Cheers, crowie

Originally Posted by colbra

....
Anyway back to the workshop Goka as well as doing his thing with the sign writing also made centre pin fishing reels for black fishing or into days words luddrick fishing, as well as blackfish rods this helped with his wine collection which for some reason that I could not understand was hidden all over the place now we are getting to the nitty gritty of my part in the work shop it was my Job to look after the wine cellars of which there was several and to cockatoo for him in case Nana turned up.
So should children be allowed in the workshop……. You bet your bottom dollar just ask Goka !!

Colbra

Great story Colbra, good for a laugh.

Thanks Genuine I enjoyed writing it.
Brought back some happy 60 yr old memories of another life I have enclosed some pictures of center pin reels Goka made, a mate sent them to me after I told him I had been telling some people about Goker, he is familiar with all Goka's
escapades and with me hot on his heels at the age of five.
Colbra

Originally Posted by colbra

Thanks Genuine I enjoyed writing it.
Brought back some happy 60 yr old memories of another life I have enclosed some pictures of center pin reels Goka made, a mate sent them to me after I told him I had been telling some people about Goker, he is familiar with all Goka's
escapades and with me hot on his heels at the age of five.
Colbra

Thanks for sharing the photos, they look like valuable antiques, very well made. Your escapade with your grandfather sound like they could be made into a book of sorts, or at least some really good campfire stories.

Cheers, Tony.

Originally Posted by genuine

Thanks for sharing the photos, they look like valuable antiques, very well made. Your escapade with your grandfather sound like they could be made into a book of sorts, or at least some really good campfire stories.

Cheers, Tony.

I am pleased you enjoyed my little ramble, on my young life and with all my family living and functioning in a very tuff part of Newcastle in those days.
I think most folks have a story but for the most part it’s only of interest to them.
And telling it is for the pleasure they get from reliving the memories, of those days

If you like, I shall send you a PM on a message I have sent Ashore forum member being the fact that he comes from Newcastle and has a maritime back ground. It will give you a bit more of the picture on things.
Col

Thanks Colbram that would be great. Always willing to hear interesting childhood stories.