Thread: Marginally Metalwork related...

Oh, just as an aside: Jack wanted to "have a go" with the restored Dawn post drill the other day. I considered the safety risks and explained where his hands needed to be to stay out of harm's way and helped him holding the workpiece (a piece of hardwood). I set the autofeed at one click per revolution for him so he wouldn't fail.

His face was priceless when he realised that he was able to drill a 16mm hole straight through!
He does indeed already understand the effort required to drill holes of different sizes with his hand drill - and appreciated what had just happened. Brilliant!

Joe

Joe, you're the best sort of Grandad a kid could have. They're also lucky - and so are you - that you're young enough to do that sort of stuff. Enjoy.

Hi Joe,

Fantastic stuff, what a great way to teach kids.. I like the fact that they are all real tools, not plastic hammers and saws.

I'd love to hear those kids talking in years to come, "Grandad taught me this way...... "



Regards
Ray

PS. I wish I had that tractor when I was a kid..

Thanks Bryan and Ray - and you are absolutely right.
I have fond memories of my grandfather teaching me woodworking and metalworking skills - and still have some of the hand tools he gave me 55 years ago.
I actually originallyu made the wooden workbench for my son when he was 4, 32 years ago. We kept it in the shed extension for posterity. He declared last year that it was time I refurbished it (filling all his drill and nail holes etc.) and pass it on to the next generation.
Before I sanded and repainted the draw of the workbench, I took a photo of my son's label on it (before he was at school):

(meant to read - and does in a way: "nails and machinery")

Interestingly, the plan to repeat family history and give Jack real tools caused some debate in the family: mother-in law thought it was irresponsible to give a 4 year old sharp tools. Fortunately Jack and Ned's parents (my daughter - also educated in the use of tools and machinery by me - and her husband) voiced the opinion that they felt safer for a 4 year old to loose a bit of skin from using a junior hacksaw and a fine toothed dovetail saw then to loose fingers at 12 or 14 wher he is bound to pick up a power saw without any experience whatsoever. Better to hit his thumb with the force of a 4 year old learning to hit nails then a teenager with juvenile exuberance... I whole-heartedly agree.

Mind you, Britt has been horrified at times that I have shown Jack all my tools and machines and have allowed him to try quite a few - power jigsaw, electric drill press, compressed air tools etc - but always with a thorough safety and risk analysis and explaining how to avoid injury and explaining the skill required - naturally in his terms and at his level of comprehension.
Interesting divergent perceptions of short and long-term risks with tool use....
Joe

I love it Joe. Fantastic.

As a kid, my old man made me a "copy" of a 303 he brought home from the CMF ( Army Reserve ) It had a webbing sling and a bit of copper pipe sticking out the end for a barrel. I thought I was king s..t with that thing. Now days it would go down like a lead balloon.

You've brought back great memories. I loved my Dad's shed.

BT

You must be loving life at the moment joe.

Originally Posted by jhovel

Better to hit his thumb with the force of a 4 year old learning to hit nails then a teenager with juvenile exuberance... I whole-heartedly agree.

Spot On Joe!
Absolutely Spot On.