Teaching a 6 year old to turn #1: Introduction

That’s wonderful Alin. Vlad looks quite happy. I think it’s great that you are teaching him so young. Making rules and standing by them is a lesson that he will take out of the woodshop and into everyday life.

Keep it up. I look forward to watching Vlad’s progress.

-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.

I think it is great to get kids started young and learning proper saftey at this age he will carry it with hime for life. I look forward to seeing one of his projects.

-- Frank Auge---Nichols NY----"My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked, but it is price competitive."

Wow Alin I love this story. What a great way to start a young boy in woodworking. He has got to be proud of his self, and of course dad.

-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota

wow. That is so great. I wish that I could have started woodworking that young and to be able to turn! Keep up the great work. You and your son. He’ll be the best woodworker when he’s older.

-- Tyler, Illinois

Great story. You may even consider taking the key out of the power switch when your are not around just to be safe. I hope he will be posting a project soon.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

Alin,

It is absolutely wonderful that Vlad is moving in this direction. I would rather see him doing something like this as opposed to sitting in front of an XBOX all day long. Here he gets to expand his mental horizons and develop his imagination while learning a valuable skill. He is one precocious young man.

Have you thought about installing a lock-out on the lathe? I know that you have told him not to do this but occasionally, especially after they become an “expert”, they seem to think that the standing orders no longer apply to them.

But then again he could probably figure out a work around- as intelligent and resourceful as he is.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Scott,

As trifern noticed, the switch on the lathe has a lock I can take out. I’ll start doing that to be on the safe side.

Thanks everybody else for your comments.

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

That’s great – you’ve really thought this out, and he’s loving it. My daughter is so interested in seeing me use my “Jet tool” It’s nice to see their enthusiasm and eagerness to try new things – what a great education your son is already picking up!

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

A family that turns together stays together, huh?

Great looking little setup he has.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I am sure the lad is in good hands Alin, he could not have a better teacher.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

thats awesome. i think you’ve got a master wood turner to be on your hands. great post.

That is so cool. Good for you guys.
I started turning when I was 13, and some said I was too young. It looks like the rules and guidelines you are demanding will make this a lot of fun.

Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

This is so neat to see, Alin. Thanks for sharing it. I am glad that you are teaching him heavy emphasis on safety, too. That is a lifetime lesson.

That’s great Alin,

But I recommend that you get a full face shield for him.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Hi Alin

Thank you so very much for this blog. I have a 5 year old grandson who I am sure will become interested in wood working once his grandpa gets his shop up and running. It is a wonderful thing you are doing with your boy. I might have to buy a small lathe just to be doing something like this. My wife expressed and interest in wanting to build pens. Maybe I will get both grandma and Tim into woodturning. Might have to have two working heights, grandma is 6’-2”. Thanks for posting

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

Thanks for this post! My eldest is only 2, so I’ve got a few years…but I’m hopeful that at least one of them asks for their own bench/tools some day. I’ll be following your adventure with great interest!

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

I think what you are doing is great. And the fact that you are being very methodical with safety is the key. He will be an expert some day, I’m sure.

I do not turn, and do not have a lathe. But one thing from your photos caused me concern. Isn’t it dangerous for your son to be turning with long sleeves on? It just seems that with anything spinning and exposed, such as a lathe or drill press, all loose clothing should be pulled back or taken off. If he were to reach for something over the lathe for any reason his sleeves might get caught.

Just one more thing to think about, I guess. Otherwise the setup and teaching method appears very safe.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Blake,

I thought about it too and I started raising his sleeves. Thanks for pointing this out since it is very important.

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

Alin.

Great post. I got my ten-year-old started turning a while back, but we lost steam for some reason.

One thing you might try for safety that I learned from Alan Lacer is to use a cup center instead of the spur center. I think these are also called “dead centers?” The cup center holds well enough to turn small diameter work like you’re doing, but if you get a catch the piece you’re turning can just slip on the cup and stop moving. That way the chance of the tool getting knocked out of your hands is much lower. I don’t turn a lot, but when I do I still use the cup instead of a spur.

Keep it up with your almost-six-year-old.

-- johnjoiner

awesome!
very clear boundaries and expectations and never waver from them. Period. —you are giving him the best lessons he’ll ever get in life: self-control.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Vlad is very fortunate to have you instructing him and allowing him to learn at this age.
He’s begun a journey that will produce miles and miles of rewards; I can see so many accomplishments
in his future.
What a wonderful setup: the bench reminds me of the one I built for my first lathe.
Kudos for making him perfectly comfortable!
Please keep us update on his progress.
Cheers,
Gary

-- Gary, Florida

Johnjointer: thanks for the tip. I was thinking the same thing when I saw such a thing in the new Penn State catalog. I’ll get one as soon as possible.

Debbie and Gary, thanks for the comments.

Alin

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida