junior tool and project kit where to get a good one?
My 12 year old son has asked for a tool kit for Christmas. He has enjoyed doing wood and metalwork at school and wants to try at home but the kits I have seen are either tools only which have bad reviews or precut wood pieces which seems to defeat the purpose. Any reccommendations would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks folks
Here is a list of 10 woodworking projects for young woodworkers. http://homeschooling.about.com/od/productcrafts/tp/tpwoodworking.htm – some of the kits are pre-cut, but some are basic plans
And these folks offer hundreds of plans for all skill levels from beginner up — nothing pre-cut
http://www.allcrafts.net/woodworking.htm#Ideas
A simple list of hand tools would include: a claw hammer with finishing head, 6″ layout square, nail set, block plane, utility knife, 25′ retractable tape measure, chisels, level, screwdrivers, sliding bevel.
A list of basic power tools includes: a circular saw, power drill, jigsaw, random orbital sander, compound miter saw, table saw, and router.
Here are the components of a good basic shop — Check out Lowes, Home Depot and Sears for bargains. Consider used equipment from Craig’s List, garage sales, eBay. Don’t buy the best, but don’t buy the cheapest either. Give him an opportunity to grow. If he really takes to this, it will give you the opportunity to easily buy him gifts forever!
Use the following checklist as a guideline. He doesn’t need everything immediately. You and your spouse should go through your home workshop and determine what you already own and what needs to be acquired. Don’t forget to let the grands in on the interest, we love to spoil our grandkids and can contribute monetarily, or even we might have duplicate tools that aren’t being used that can be passed down.
Measuring Tools:
Combination square
Sliding bevel
Marking gauge
Framing square
Steel tape (10′ or 12′)
Folding rule
Compass
Scratch awl Cutting Tools:
Crosscut saw (12 pt.)
Rip saw (6 1/2 or 7 1/2 pt.)
Backsaw or dovetail saw (15 tpi)
Coping saw Hacksaw
Slip-joint pliers
Needle-nose pliers
Diagonal cutters
Shaping Tools:
Smooth plane
Low-angle block plane
Wood chisels (1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″)
Single-cut mill bastard file
Round rasp
Flat rasp
Cabinet scraper and hand scrapers
Utility knife Joining Tools:
Claw hammer (16 oz.)
Finish hammer (8 oz.)
Nail set
Wooden mallet
Screwdrivers (straight, Phillips)
Doweling jig
Bench vise or clamping system
Bar or pipe clamps (2-3′ and 2-5′ min.)
Handscrews
C-clamps
Safety & Maintenance:
Face shield or safety glasses
Hearing protector
Dust mask or respirator
Sharpening stone (dual-purpose, coarse/fine)
Portable Power Tools:
Router (1 hp, 1/4″ collet) (Purchase bits as needed; bead, chamfer, cove, straight, round-over, rabbet)
Circular saw (7 1/4″)
Drill (3/8″ variable speed)
Twist drills (1/16-3/8″)
Spade-shaped drill bits
Brad-point drill bits
Jigsaw
Dual-action pad sander (straight-line and orbital)
Belt sander (3X21″ with dust collection)
Happy hunting!
Custom Foam Tool Kit