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Originally Posted by Zeke
It does. But I wonder how it would look through a child's eyes, children that grew up with computers, phones and e-games.
The Handy Andy set looks useless to me. I see a brace in 2 of the sets but no bits. On one it looks like a couple of driver bits are missing. What kid is gonna fool with a brace when he sees cordless driver drills everywhere?
No, I'd pass. You can't buy a 10 YO a wood lathe but you can do better than Handy Andy. That's for your memorabilia shelf. Like an Erector Set.
I guess Legos are the contemporary Erector Sets because you could actually get hurt building things with the ES. I think I got my finger in the gears of the motor once. Once was enough. But then I started abusing the thing like running paper through it just to see it wadded up.
I was a destructive little fk. I tore down everything I owned and by age 14 I was the sole mechanic on my McCulloch race kart. My dad didn't know JS about tools. He did buy me some tools — sockets, end wrenches and Allen keys, etc. I still have all of it except what got lost and that was rare.
I had more tools than most men by 16. In that day a corded drill motor was big time. None reversed and all used a chuck key. I bypassed the brace and bit. |
My dad was a gear head, if he was going to do stuff, preferred it to be a vehicle, although he did DIY stuff around the home when needed. At 15 or 16, I got a set of tools for Christmas or birthday, and added to them over the years. I've still got them plus.
I have put together a bird house kit with the oldest who's 7. I figure introduce them to hand tools and building stuff when they are too young to think doing it with hand tools is dumb, and before they are old enough to understand the dangers of power tools. I figured I'd fix or add to anything that was missing. These kits are 50-60 years old, so I'm not expecting them to be perfect.
I think back when I was very young (<10) , I got a tool box with a brace and a couple of bits and a few other tools from my grandparents. My dad's dad, hated working on cars, but enjoyed wood working. Unfortunately, with dad being in the Navy, I never got a chance to learn from grandpa because we traveled the world.
Yep, the 7 year old is into legos. He's got an "Expert Creator" set of a haunted house that's over 3200 pieces. He put 2/3s of it together in 2 days when he was here 2 weeks ago. My guess is that he and his brother probably have 8k-12k legos.
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Originally Posted by jyl
Yeah, cool and all but best left to the nostalgia folks.
You didn’t say your grandkids’ ages or what they might be tinkering with, which will make a difference.
If it is more of a generic wish to introduce them to the joys of tinkering, maybe start with something to tinker on - a kit or model or project of some sort, fitting their interests and environs. And the tool(s) needed for it!
Or a nuts and bolts construction toy. Meccano is still around, I loved that stuff as a kid.
Of course, if you want to march them straight into DIY bootcamp style, you could ship each of your grandkids a toilet and a wax ring . . .
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7, 4, and 1. THe 7 is old enough to do small stuff. The 4 is a bit young, but wants to do everything that his brother does. The 7yo and I built a bird house from a kit a year-ish ago.
THe 7 year old has done a lot of lego stuff. Their dad didn't learn any stuff from his dad, cars or around the house. Our daughter, the 2 older grandsons mother, took to that sort of stuff and does all sorts of projects around the house.
Thanks for all of the thoughts folks.