Turning with Kids

Steve asked: My 12 year old daughter wants to start turning with me. Has anyone had any experience turning with kids? Can you get kid size face shields and other equipment? I am thinking of buying a mini lathe for her to work on. Any thoughts on Jet vs Delta?

Mark Trenier: I am a teacher and just had two of my 8th grade students over and they both could handle my Jet 1642 lathe. One was rather small and a full size shield fit him fine. Take it slow with simple. I have not experience with either lathe, but I do own several other Delta machines and if and when they need fixing, parts take a long time to get here from China—as long as a year!

Carole in VA: I think the Jet Mini is the best little lathe you can buy for the money (or even more money). I have two lathes but I wouldn't give up my Mini for the world.

Ken DeMarco: My 12 year old daughter has been turning off and on for a year now. She has kid size goggles but prefers to wear my face shield—it fits her fine. She turns on both the Jet mini and the Boice Crane, and the bigger lathe doesn't intimidate her at all. I will second what Carol said about the Jet Mini-lathe—can't go wrong there.

Jennifer in Indy, USA: Steve, my now 12 year old son has been making pens for about three years. I think each child is different and you have to judge their individual maturity as to know when they can/should start. When you do get her to the lathe you will find nothing more fun and gratifying than to see her face after she completes her first project. It really is priceless.

Barbara Gill, Remlik VA: If the small face shield hits her chest when she looks down, it can be trimmed with your bandsaw. Leave the protective cover in place or if it is gone, put some masking tape where you will cut. I started our granddaughter when she was six so the small shield was too long. Don't forget breathing protection.

Rob Wallace: Today I'm doing a demonstration to our turners group on ornament turning. Last night, while I was turning some samples on my Jet 1642, my eight year old son was turning on our Jet mini-lathe, which he considers his lathe. He invariably asks to turn whenever we are in the shop, and the Jet mini is very appropriate for him, in that the scale of the tool is not intimidating, and he is very comfortable using this lathe.

He is becoming pretty adept at making spindles, and has already asked to turn his first bowl (our goal is to have him able to rough out and finish a bowl on his own by his 9th birthday, which is about five months from now—he's well on his way). He loves practice turning with these short spindles, and when he thinks one's done, he sands for about two to three minutes, and then runs upstairs with the spindle to show his mom! Then he's back to the lathe to do another…

I recommend getting a smaller lathe for children so they can be at ease while turning. Start with a ¾" roughing gouge and teach how to turn a square billet to round. Then hand them a sharpened Sorby spindlemaster, and let them have at it, making whatever shape comes to mind (we use lots of scrap 2x4 pieces ripped to 1½" x 1½" and about 8-10" long). Let them work at their own pace, and the addiction grows. It's a blast to watch.

Above all, teach safety first, including a complete check list for free rotation, tool rest position, etc. before any hand gets close to the on switch.