With the winter season here, it’s time for my kids to get some woodworking in. I had plenty of fun. They’re making boxes, and just learning some patience, in that the box will be a multi-session project. Tough lesson to learn for little kids, especially in December.
December 9, 2012 at 4:31 pm
I’m giving my son a small tool chest with a set of hand tools for his birthday. I love the look of determination on their faces. :)
Good stuff!
December 9, 2012 at 6:03 pm
This is priceless! But my 5 y/o now is asking why your kids get to use your hand planes but she hasn’t been allowed to use mine. “Because Emma, mine are sharper.”
December 9, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Those are just Lie-Neilson ones I believe his GOOD ones are under the bench. I for one would like to see the finished boxes.
December 9, 2012 at 8:18 pm
I’m 67, and I was doing the same thing just a couple of years ago.
December 10, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Peter: Nice to see the kids learning your craft. Fun for all of you, I am sure. Dad would say December is a tough time for kids, but patience is hard to teach at any time.
December 10, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Gidday, Peter.
Great to see your kids getting into it.
However, I reckon you need to make a bench which is an appropriate height for them. I teach hand tool woodworking to kids and adults from age 4 to 104, and learned long ago that having benches and gear appropriate to the users is essential for helping them get into the joy of woodworking.
You and I don’t work at a bench at chin height… and we’d probably loose our enthusiasm pretty quickly if we had to!
So here’s a suggestion: How about building a scaled down 17th century bench as a holiday project with your kids? It might be a December to remember…
Keep up the great work!
Cheers from Down Under,
Greg
December 10, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Goodness, they have grown up so much since I saw them last. They’re almost out of “early childhood” aren’t they? Best wishes to all.
December 11, 2012 at 9:37 am
Great idea using the raised platform (visible in a couple of the photos) to lift the kids up to a more comfortable height. Pine always encourages me too.