Are 1st graders to young to use power tools under one-on-one supervision?
thebuffettour asked:
I am a Cub Scout Den Leader and I wanted to have the boys build a birdhouse. My thought was to set up 4 stations including a table saw, hand drill, hammer and a nail gun. All the safety devices would be set and a parent would be at every station to help the boys use the tools.
Really it was going to be that the boys make one cut (on one piece) on the table saw. Drill a hole for the perch and then hammer in the perch. They would then use the nail gun to put the house together. I have done this several times with my own son but one parent is bawking at the idea thinking the kids are too young.
What do you think?
Related Blogs
- Related Blogs on Hammer And A Nail
- SNUB23 » Blog Archive » I'd rather be a Hammer than a Nail …
- How To Use A Hammer | Home Improvement
- Basic Tools You Will Need For Various Home Improvement Projects
- Related Blogs on Nail Gun
- Two Gun | Comic Books for all Ages
- Weapons Madness – Round One – 9mm. Pistol vs Nail Gun — A World …
- Related Blogs on Power Tools
Related Blogs
- Related Blogs on Hammer And A Nail
- SNUB23 » Blog Archive » I'd rather be a Hammer than a Nail …
- How To Use A Hammer | Home Improvement
- Basic Tools You Will Need For Various Home Improvement Projects
- Related Blogs on Nail Gun
- Two Gun | Comic Books for all Ages
- Weapons Madness – Round One – 9mm. Pistol vs Nail Gun — A World …
- MP3 Search
- Related Blogs on Power Tools
No way, would I let any kid below the age of 12 use any power tools. pathfinder
Let’s put it this way, and this is just me being a parent (as would anyone else being a parent)….if I found out you let my 6 year old kid use a power tool and he was hurt, I would sue!
NOT a good idea for you. Just show them as they sit and watch. nydanceradio
Why not have the wood pre-cut for the boys and use some good wood glue to hold it all together? It’d be a lot safer, and less of a worry for the parents Kit
This could end up a nightmare! Obviously the other parents than the one are ok with it, but I’d be getting some legal waivers in place at the least! Another option would be to set up a Home Depot visit where they have similar sessions in a more professional setting. As for being too young, I wouldn’t let my kids participate in that at first grade. c_a_m_2u
I wouldnt be too happy with that. If the parents want to do it with their own kids, fine. But I would not like it if another parent was helping. Those kids are still to young for those power tools. Have everything ready to go, then let them use the hammer on their own with supervision. That is acceptable. cheryl r
No way! My grandson is an average13 year old and he had a tough time drilling a straight hole and hammering a long nail into some wooden stairs that he was helping me build, so I can’t imagine a 6 year old using “power tools”! I wouldn’t chance it because 6 yr. olds are not very coordinated. Green Eyes
would you really let a 6 year old near a table saw? he could saw his hand off, or much worse! i believe it says on the package that it is not to be used with young children. why not let the kids use a hammer and nails the old fashioned way? it’ll teach them a lot more than “How to Hurt Yourself 101!” not to be rude about it, but its plain and simple, kids and power tools DO NOT MIX!!! haleybug342
how about instead of power tools, you let them use old-fashioned tools to build something? a little hammering, screwing, etc. would be great for that age group. momof4
They are too young for the power tools. One second of inattention on the saw and that’s a child without a hand. I’d happily use one with my own child (having scared him silly about the consequences of not doing exactly as I say beforehand) because I know him, but no way would I take that responsibility with someone else’s, when I’ve no idea how likely they are to do something completely unexpected and stupid.
Hand tools would be great and I’m sure they’d love it. Why don’t you do all the cutting beforehand (that’s only one extra cut anyway) and instead of the nail gun, drill nail-sized holes in one of the pieces to be joined. That way they can use the hand drill to make the hole for the perch (safe if supervised), hammer it in, and then the nails can sit in the pre-drilled holes while they hammer them through into the other piece (so no hammered thumbs). cathrl69
I think that is too young….it is an accident waiting to happen! Have the wood already cut into the shapes and let them use glue to hold it together in place of the nails. Tracy M
hell yeah they are too young i diden’t use power tools till i was 11 and i still think i should have ot used them till i was 12. do us all a favour and find an alternatave Jonathan
Depends on the tool… Electric Screw driver? SURE no problem My 8 yo helps me all the time…
Detail hand sander (B&D Mouse) Sure
small dremel? NO PROBLEM
So long as all the safety equiptment was used and the child is taught how to use them and respect the tools…
Power SAW? Table Saw? Bench Grinder? Belt sander?
HELL NO!
When i was in the Cub Scouts we could not even carry a pocket knife… e careful… Small tools that are small enough for their little hands are okay but remember most of these tools are made for ADULT HANDS and even with one on one supervision… its a disaster wating to happen… Ryu C
when i first saw this question i thought no way but once i read it through and thought about it, i think it would be a great time to teach them about safety and responsibility. did you explain to the parent how it would be? if they still wont agree to it, maybe use glue instead of nails and have the pieces already cut. make it so they wont have to use the tools. boy scouting (just like girl scouting) is about learning and growing and i think the parents should let them, the boys would really enjoy it amberlicious81
try 2 or 3 adults at each spot sportscutie
They are too young. They can make birdhouses which are glued together. You can get cheap pre-cut kits. Lydia
no don’t let them use the power tools . if you go to maybe a hobby shop or the scout shop they have bird houses already cut and all they would have to do is paint it and glue it together. it gets one of the requirements out the way and keeps the parents happy. they could probably use a hammer to nail it together if their parents will supervise. miarose