13 year old that wants to start woodworking - Woodworking Talk

Spyko · 03-11-2008, 03:55 PM

Hi All,

I have a friend with a young son that has seen my shop and is interested in trying his hand at woodworking. I don't think he's ever made a thing before. His dad is not around much.

Does anyone have suggestions for a starting point for him? He is in Long Island, NY and his Mom is very supportive of his interest. If anyone knows of a program in the area, a website he could use, or a book or series of books I'd be grateful.

I will set him up with a basic set of tools out of my "doubles and triples". I don't intend to let him near anything with a cord or a battery yet.

Thanks much!

-Spyko

knotscott · 03-11-2008, 06:23 PM

Sounds like a worthy venture. What's he into? My 12YO came home from shop class earlier this year with clock for his mom. It looked pretty simple and he was about as proud as he could be.

Cutting boards are fairly straight forward. I remember making a gun rack and a foot stool in shop in 7th grade. Maybe he could evolve enough to do a simple set of speakers in time...my boys all love their music.

stuart · 03-11-2008, 09:00 PM

boy scouts a little younger [and cub scouts] than 13 were helped to make "wooden" cars with alloy medal [for weight on bottom center] for downhill [not outside] races with other.
I suppose you could start out making wood cars. I loved doing that!

mmwood_1 · 03-13-2008, 02:41 AM

Spyko,

Are you nearby and available/willing to help him out? Here's an idea. My kids went to school at a Waldorf school. Their mom was a teacher there. In 6th grade, they took woodworking. The instructor taught them how to use chisels, and had them CARVE AN EGG out of wood. In my opinion, it was brilliant. Using some hand saws, they cut a small block from the hardwood of their choice (he had walnut, maple, oak, etc.) and then they used only chisels to create the basic egg. The virtue of this is that they have to work the wood from all directions, get to see the concept of the nap of the grain in action. Learned that they have to cut in one direction here, another direction there, in order to avoid tear out, etc. Then when they got the shape down, he had them use rasps and sandpaper to smooth and polish it. It was a great first project, and they all learned a lot about wood, and its characteristics. And they all made reasonably good eggs.

arkyrick · 03-13-2008, 08:07 AM

My first shop experiance was in the 7th grade I was hoplessly hooked ever since, I assume that schools still teach shop now days, I would also see if there are any inner city programs that may help you with him learning the art. Then there was my girlfriends Grandfathers shop, he shared his knowledge with me and his tools and his Granddaughter who became my wife, what great secrets he taught me with wood working, rest his soul

This is the kind of thing that could become a passion to a 13 year old.

Ryu Bateson · 03-13-2008, 11:25 AM

Its great he has an interest in woodworking! Encourage it as much as possible!!

All over the web there are woodworking clubs and guilds.

Also consder signing him up here on these forums if he finds he love it so much!

If his mother is worried about using a sharp object, you can give him a butter knife and a bar of soap! Thats a great way to start carving without worrying about haveing a new woodworker hurting himself.

I practiced with soap myself before working with a sharp knife!

One other footnote,I wont be able to post much this week. its final week at my college.......