Project suggestions for a 10 year old.

[Toney Robertson]

Last weekend I ask my great nephew if he would like to learn how to turn wood. I think he is old enough and he seemed enthusiastic to learn.

What project would you recommend?

For a child that age I think he needs immediate feedback. Something he can take home and show his parents.

Would you recommend that he scrape at first? Maybe less of a chance of catches?

What do you think? I obviously want this to be a positive experience.

I also know that it might be considered child abuse to submit him to the vortex. VBG.

Toney

[Pete Jordan]

Toney,

I started with finger tops with my kids.

[Jim Becker]

Tops are one idea as are pens. When I taught a local "Hands On Workshop" session for our AAW chapter, the one 10 year old I had did an amazing job on a simple bowl using my Ellsworth gouge. It was mostly a matter of getting his height adjusted to the lathe for proper orientation. (I built a simple platform) Then we covered body movement just like David Ellsworth does and did a 4" bowl. As I'm not a big fan of scrapers, I never showed him how to use one...we went right to the gouge and there were no catches that day.

[Brodie Brickey]

Last year the AAW Symposium's Youth Program had classes for the items below:

• Spin Top with Chatterwork
  
• Egg Cup
• CD Spinning Top
• Gavel heads
• Gavels handles
• Baseball Bat Pen
• Honey Dipper

Other than those, baby rattles, snow men, and ornaments come to mind.

[Toney Robertson]

Last year the AAW Symposium's Youth Program had classes for the items below:

• Spin Top with Chatterwork
  
• Egg Cup
• CD Spinning Top
• Gavel heads
• Gavels handles
• Baseball Bat Pen
• Honey Dipper

Other than those, baby rattles, snow men, and ornaments come to mind.

I like the honey dipper idea. That way he could give it to his mom.

What is a CD spinning top?

Toney

[Bill Stevener]

My question is: Do you feel that you are a qualified instructor to be teaching a 10 year old wood turning??

To start, that requires an honest answer.

[Toney Robertson]

My question is: Do you feel that you are a qualified instructor to be teaching a 10 year old wood turning??

To start, that requires an honest answer.

No, I am not a qualified instructor. So I guess I should not continue.

[Bill Stevener]

No, I am not a qualified instructor. So I guess I should not continue.

My question reads on "to be teaching a 10 year old wood turning??

I think it would be very advantageous to join a local wood turning club and bring your young friend along. I bet he would enjoy that very much and get a lot out of the experiences there. Some very talented folks would be more than happy to help you out. In time you both will gain a lot, and more than likely wind up teaching each other a few tricks.

Best of luck with your adventure,

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>

[Toney Robertson]

My question reads on "to be teaching a 10 year old wood turning??

I think it would be very advantageous to join a local wood turning club and bring your young friend along. I bet he would enjoy that very much and get a lot out of the experiences there. Some very talented folks would be more than happy to help you out. In time you both will gain a lot, and more than likely wind up teaching each other a few tricks.

Best of luck with your adventure,

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>

The "local" turning club is over an hour away. Not really an option for someone that is ten and has a ten year olds patience.

Toney

[Bill Stevener]

I am sure some other folks will chime in to help you out with your situation.

Again the best of luck, with what you are trying to do.

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>

[Barry Elder]

Toney, I admire your enthusiasm and desire to teach. How about a phone call to that club that is an hour away. They might have a member who lives 10 minutes from you! You would be surprised how cooperative woodturners are when it comes to helping another woodturner. Give it a try!

[Norris Randall]

How about letting him start with a baseball bat?
Full size or mini would give him a chance to feel the thrill while watching the bat take shape.

Or you can "bowl" him over.

PS while I'm here can someone tell me if I have to change my "Member" to "Contributor" or will that be done when my donation accepted?

[Les Kuesel]

How about a magic wand (like a Harry Potters) He will see how wood can be transformed into something magical.

[Clem Wixted]

I "helped" my 8 year old grandson make a handle for a 6 in 1 screwdriver. I used a plastic handled 6 in 1 screwdriver that I removed the plastic handle from. I drilled the wood for the insert.

I helped him turn the handle and let him do all of the sanding, all 8 grades of it. He buffed it and assembled the screwdriver. It took about 45 minutes and he "uses" it a lot and whenever a screwdriver is needed he's right there. That was his birthday outing with me.

Not a challenging turning task but a great introduction, and he has a useful tool.

Clem

[Jim Becker]

How about a magic wand (like a Harry Potters) He will see how wood can be transformed into something magical.

This actually is a project that is more difficult for someone new to turning because of the vibration aspects that you get with thin spindles. I've done three of them and found it to be quite challenging, even with a steady rest!