What age would you let a child start turning? (supervised)

[Mattty]

It's half term next week and my 12 YO is off tomorrow as well (teacher training day) .

He'll be in the workshop with me and has experessed an interest in doing a bit of turning. Obviously i'll be tutoring him and won't leave him alone.

It got me thinking though, is he old enought to be turning at all? Even with me stood next to him?

 

[wizer]

12 is plenty old enough for the lathe IMHO. I remember being sensible enough to drive my dads trucks in his yard, so I'm sure he can be taught the basic safety principles. I'm prety certain turning used to be taught in secondary school.

 

[tulsk]

Hi Mattty,
sounds a good age to get started on to me. I would start him on some small section spindles so that any dig ins aren't too scarey.As said above the safe working principles are the first thing he should be taught.
Hope he enjoys himself, John

 

[penman]

I had my first taste of turning at kingsteignton secondary modern in Devon at the tender age of 12 and I still have the Afromosia fruit bowl that I made.
So I don't see any problem with teaching your son to enjoy the art of woodturning

Malcolm

 

[CHJ]

Well Matty, This Ten Year Old Mastered the basics and safety quite quickly.

And still retaind the instructions Twelve months on

 

[Mattty]

Thanks for all the replies, it's reasuring to know you all think it's ok. He's a bright responsible lad so i'm sure it will be fine.

CHJ- thanks for that, i'll show him those pic's and hopefully inspire hom a bit.

 

[Jenx]

Thats a great question !

I suppose a lot may depend on the individual themselves, - I've an 18 year old son who "couldn't run out of sight on a dark night" when it comes to anything concerning manual dexterity of any description ( his strengths lie in other areas though! )... and yet there's Chas's wee one at 10 with enough competency to ensure he's ( Chas , i mean ) comfortable with whats happening.

If your lad is keen, has the common sense, and is good at taking instruction - I'd see no reason why not to get him started !

I certainly got it at Secondary School - not enough of it on reflection, but it certainly occurred.

Sounds good to me ! 8) 8) 8)
Good luck to the young fella too

 

[Doug B]

Plenty old enough Matty.
My son turned a pen for his teacher when he was 10, i showed him what Malcolm had been kind enough to show me & he took to it like a duck to water. In fact he showed less apprehension than i did, so perhaps it could be a good thing to introduce children to turning at a young age.
They don`t have the fears that maturity can bring, which sometimes holds us back.

 

[richburrow]

Go for it,
My dad got me on the lathe sometime around then, can't remember exactly when
He will love it!!

 

[Bodrighy]

My nine ywear old grandaughter has had a go a couple of times all be it on a mini lathe and with plenty of 'hands on' guidance but my 10 year old graandson isn't allowed any where near anything that ha electricity going into it.
Being a father of 6 and grandfather of 9 I have eleart from experience that there is no specific age when a child can safely use any machinery but each child needs so be assessed by their ability to take instruction, their concentration and their size. Can they reach the lathe safely? can they pay attention? can they take instruction?

Pete

 

[maltrout512]

I remember being about 9 (1975)when my dad showed me the basic art of wood turning on his cornet major (which he still has). I did have a little go and quite liked it. When ever I went into his workshop I plucked up courage to ask if I could have a go. The response was, well only if you are careful. That's all I needed to hear. It was great fun and there was a little bonding, although he was too busy repairing antiques to take part. It was a great learning curve. I haven't any children myself but my brother has two boys. The youngest one (5) loved Grandads workshop, job for my brother to get him out when they were going home. They have been over to my workshop a couple of times and the 5 year old as always asking what machine is that and what does it do. At some point he'll get a try on the lathe. Bit more time to go yet. So as to age 12 doesn't seem a wrong age in my eyes.

 

[The Shark]

Hi Matty,
Let us know how he gets on.
My 12 year old son had a lesson a few months ago, and by the end had already got the hang of using a spindle gouge to produce a smooth finish.
Looks like something else he will be better than his dad at

Malc