Teaching kids woodworking

Dusty – I always find it interesting when friends and I discuss finding others to do work for us and it always comes back to being so expensive, plumbers, electricians, all the “trades.” It’s expensive because it’s hard to find folks that have been taught how to do it and most folks today are not taught as they grow up how to take care of their homes in basic fashion. I have friends that would not know a phillips from a slot screwdriver or even how to turn off the water to a leaking toilet. They’ve never been taught – they just hire someone at a huge price to do the basics for them.

Some of my friends are amazed at what I do around my house – but in reality it is just basic stuff that they could do if they were taught or took the time to find out how to do as opposed to first thought being to call someone else.

I don’t have kids, but I like to think if I did I would teach them the basics and try to get them interested in doing things for themselves as opposed to always depending on someone else and just opening their wallets to pay for it.

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

I think you are absolutely right.

-- If knowledge is not shared, it is forgotten.

excellent.

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

How oddly coincidental that you would post this now. After reading about Bob#2’s grandson in his shop, I had thought about what it would take to engage youngsters in this craft. I like to believe that the opportunity to create would be a positive motivation for young folks and I have begun to investigate how to go about it. Your post rings in harmony with that thought and is an encouragement to move forward. Thanks.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

I for one, have an 11 y/o boy for whome I am teaching the craft. Yes the schools may be dropping shop classes like hot rocks, but there are other avenues. My son is in the Boy Scouts and I am one of the Scout Leaders. I learned the basics way back when I was in scouts, but was able to refine my scills in shop classes. Since these boys may not have the option of taking shop classes, I teach them many “handyman” things during the scouting meetings.

As for my son, he has built his own tool tray, dvd/video game rack, and is currently working on his own shop bench (as mine is too high for him). I bought him his own coping saw, box saw, miter box, screwdrivers, sanding blocks, and various other handtools. They are his and he can use them as he pleases, (provided he gets a project approved by me first).

As far as power tools go, I am still a little wary about letting him use mine. When he masters the hand tools, I will probably allow him to use certain tools of mine like perhaps the router table and the scrolling jig saw. I am probably going to get him an orbital sander for Xmas (he hates hand sanding, much like me…).

Anyhow, the point is, I obviously agree with you. If we don’t take the time to teach our young, who will? Very well written article, thanks for sharing.

-- Sgt_Lobo -- Aurora, CO

I have a 14 yr old son who is falling in love with wood working. Iy’s great to see the pride in his face when he completes a project that he has created and built on his own. I hope he does not lose the passion he has found.

-- Ed - Milan, IN

Encourage him Ed. There are some great woodworking schools out there on the left coast. I believe with all this high tech, there is going to be a real need for people that can work with their hands.

-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com