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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Dawie on November 07, 2011, 12:19:19 pm
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As I have no kids of myself I was wondering what a good/safe age is to start a kid using a scroll saw. The eldest son of friends of mine 9 years old is absolutely fascinated by what I make, he wants to come over with his dad to see how everything works. I still have a handsaw about, so we could have fun with that, but I was just wondering. He is a serious kid and normally does not try to do things he does not trust himself with.
Any guidelines on this will be helpful, Would hate to see the kid getting hurt or put off scrolling for life.
David
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Be his mentor Dawie. Along with seeing the joy that some of your project have brought others, starting a level headed youth into woodworking could bring you & him even greater joys.
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I don't think there is a specific age as much as it is dependent on the individual kid. Some kids are able to operate farm machinery at 10 and others shouldn't be behind the wheel of a car at 16.
IMHO, scrollsaws are probably the safest power tool there is. It's tough to get hurt very seriously on one, compared to other woodworking machinery. That said, safety is nothing to take lightly, so of course caution is required, especially with young kids.
Given the description you gave of the young man, it sounds to me like he should be capable, with proper supervision and safety instruction, of making some sawdust with a scroll saw. Check with his Dad for permission and to see what he thinks. I think scrolling is the perfect introduction to woodworking & power tools for kids, simply because it is reasonably safe and pretty fun.
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I started my daughter at age 11. She did great but was a little afraid of it. Just a girl thing I think. She learned it is a fun tool and i taught her the dangers of it. Although the danger is small with this tool there is danger with all tools. I believe if you teach him right and find a simple pattern for him to cut, he will enjoy it and learn from it. I to believe this is one of the safest tools there is to use. Have fun and good luck
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I agree with Bill, at 9 he should be able to be mentored properly to operated a scroll saw, with emphasis on safety and building good habits. Teaching young children responsibility is a great thing, and scrolling would be a great addition.
I'm a firm believer that kids should be taught as soon as possible. My son, by the age of 10, has already operated a scroll saw, and other power tools, as well as welding, routine maintenace on his dire bike, etc. Again, with EMPHASIS on SAFETY. If the child is able, start him/her learning to work with their hands.
Good luck!!!
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Thanks all I will have a word with his parents and see what they say before I promise the kid anything.
David
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With the proper supervision and guidance I cant see there being a problem starting at 9.
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I started my grand daughter at 11 and in a few days she was cutting simple items with no problems. I think at nine he should be able to start. :)
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I let my 3 year old sit on my lap while I scroll, but his attention span was like 30 seconds.
At school I teach woodshop to 6-8 graders, 11-13 years.
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My grandson had just turned 8 when he started and I always make sure the the hold down is on for him. My granddaughter can't wait until its her turn.
Marg
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The scrollsaw was actually the first powertool I owned. My Dad bought me one at a young age and I used it for several years. It was a Sears unit termed a "vibrator scrollsaw". The blade travel was so short you could hold your finger against the blade without being cut. It wouldn't cut anything at all thick and used pin end blades, but I sure chewed up a lot of 1/4 inch plywood with it. BTW, that was in the 1960's.
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I'm not sure that the 'age' is the most relevant part, its the level and skill of the supervision that's important.
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I got my 1st saw for Christmas when I was 13. That was back in the 50's. Still have all my fingers.
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I used to teach a group of cub scouts (ages 8-11) at the Home Depot. They got the basics of hand and power tools and did get hands on on drills, miter saws, and yes, a scroll saw. That was by far their favorite and many of them came back in to ask questions. If a kid has the curiosity and the want to, go for it.
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i think 4 years old is a good start.. I started when i was 7 years old..
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Hey David, it depends on his " concentration (time) curve". some 9y old kids will, with a little guidance, operate the scrollsaw quit well.
my advise would be: let him try to do some small sawing projects with the handsaw first. just some thin poplar ply and let him saw a few of is TV figures like Donald or so.
I know I did this in school when I was about 10 and loved it.
my daughter is now 12 and did some sawing on the hegner. I set it on slow speed and she's doing it realy nice.
she's now in the first class of "middle" (VMBO-TL) school and they use there Hegner's in technical class!!! (great school!! 8))
so stay with him and let him try.