Got an up and coming youngster that fab's? Plz share your pix so that we can light a fire under some more of them. My 11 year old suprised the &*^% out of me after doing some pretty good planning, prototyping and welding this week. We got to teach them young before we get to old, sore, blind etc to do it ... Here's a before shoot. I'll get more of the finished science project (Catapult) when she gets it back home. (Yes its a four legged, one HP, alpha male in the background...) Mike www.Customikes.com
I don't have a pic, but one day when my son was 5, he came in and said "Dad, I need a saw." Um... for anything in particular? "Yeah: I need to cut this wood to make a slingshot." He had found a piece of wood, had gone into my shop and gotten a sharpie marker, and had drawn a dotted line around the fingers where he wanted to cut! I was stunned by two things: he had a plan, and he'd watched me enough that he drew the cut lines, but I never specifically taught him that. About 10 minutes late, he learned to use a coping saw. -Brad
My 7 year old has cut, painted (gets some runs) and even fabed up some easy stuff (metal punch) for me at work. He watches me weld. I havent let him try it yet though. He's pretty good. What impressed me the most was dis***embling and re***embling a small engine at age 5
I knew there was some good stories here. Keep em coming. I let Sammy read these. Really motivational for her. Thanks, Mike www.Customikes.com
my dad ran a body shop when i was growing up learned how to sand when i was 7 and then learned how to weld when i was 10. RUINED me for life. LOL
I can't wait. my kids are very interested in whet I do in the garage but I just don't trust the little *****s yet.
I got my son to help pack wheelbearings the other day. My daughter asked for a welding hood when she was like 7. She's been welding ever since.
my son has been helping me for a while now he started his 1st real project when he was 14 a 66 stang doing good on it hes 16 now and is jonesin for it bad i will try to post some pics
That is a great picture. He's having the best time ever. You guys are killing me, this signature is to funny. "Shop rule #1: You have to ask if they are okay before you start laughing" I'm going to have to put that In my shop... Thanks, Mike www.Customikes.com
My boy told me right after his eighth birthday that he really needed to learn how to weld while he was still eight. So we got him a jacket, gloves and a helmet. He did just fine. He even designed and welded up some desktop organizers for Christmas presents a few years ago. After that he did all the fab work on a peanut tank for his Schwinn Stingray. He's thirteen now and just can't get enough time in the shop. Although he steers clear of the VW project his sister and I are working on (see my albums). I'll try to dig up some pics of Jesse at work.
Really cool guy's. Showed the thread to my daughter and she's thrilled to death. Appreciate you sharing the pix and stories. Mike www.Customikes.com
My 10 year old son learning some of the basics of mig welding. He does my tack welds for me. Here is a fender we repaired. He was the official tack welder on this project.
Got the 15 yr. old involved in building his first car. He will also build the motor, with instruction from the engine builder standing right there.
The Jalopy Journal
