Dremel for kids?

Justin Passing

Justin Passing

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First to set the scene - I'm suddenly alone so need distraction, and a neighbour is a single parent home educating 3 boys. The mother is very bright but hasn't anyone to teach her kids the sort of thing her dad taught her. Sexist yes, but realistic, I think, to perceive a problem. Highlit in her case by marrying a bloke who would call someone in, to put a number on the front door.

She won't accept charidee so I'm going to have to "lend" things. I thought a dremel kit with the routing etc attachments would get the kids going, They're around 9-12 yrs old at the moment. Fiercely intelligent. (one's doing ancient greek gcse, to get a better ide when translating the sctiptures, natch).


I don't have a genuine Dremel, - what I was wondering, is if they would be too chunky for small hands???

I have a razor saw and mitre box , to do some balsa carpentry without too making too much mess. ANy other ideas?
 
dremel also comes with the attachment , that should be fine , i have 7yr old grand child who has used - only once

PPP would be a must - and also what is it you plan to do with the dremel

I purchased a kit off amazon when it was down from almost £200 to £125 great kit has various attachments etc

I also purchased at the same time on a deal , the vice and the router kit, drill stand and holder

this is the kit i got

and all these bits

Rotary Tool Attachment Accessories For Drill Dremel Grinder Cover : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Shop Rotary Tool Attachment Accessories For Drill Dremel Grinder Cover. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.
www.amazon.co.uk




Dremel 335 Plunge Router - Rotary Tool Attachment for Precision Routing, Cutting, Drilling, Trimming & Inlay Work : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Dremel 335 Plunge Router - Rotary Tool Attachment for Precision Routing, Cutting, Drilling, Trimming & Inlay Work : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
www.amazon.co.uk

Rotary Tool Accessories Kit, Longmate 544pcs Rotary Tool Bit Set 3.2mm Shank Universal Attachment for Easy Cutting, Grinding, Sanding, Sharpening, Carving, Polishing, Engraving for Wood, Glass, Metal : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Rotary Tool Accessories Kit, Longmate 544pcs Rotary Tool Bit Set 3.2mm Shank Universal Attachment for Easy Cutting, Grinding, Sanding, Sharpening, Carving, Polishing, Engraving for Wood, Glass, Metal : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
www.amazon.co.uk

 
I've let my youngest loose on a ye oldie band saw, he enjoyed using that he may have been 10 at the time, he enjoyed cutting out the letters of his name, otherwise he's done basic sawing, drilling (battery drill/drill press) and screwing, mainly making crude boxes/small planters out of scrap wood, that also requires some accurate(ish) measuring/marking out so good there too or at least the intent was. Got him into a bit of bicycle maintenance too as he's into riding, tube/tyre replacements etc, cleaning the chain, he's a dab hand at cleaning the parts of a derailleur in a tub of white spirit. Obviously all supervised. He can tighten up/adjust bits on his scooter/skate board, when he remembers, he's done it for a few of his friends too apparently, when he's been out and about.
 
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Fair play to you for your plan and fair play also to the mum for not just plopping them down with the 'putor.

I had my grandmonsterskids (7 & 9) banging in nails prior to laminating a floor just a couple of weeks ago and they loved it. Agree with all FMT's comments and would add gardening. helping wash your car as other possibles.

FWIW there are plenty of Dremel clones around at << price. Mine came from Lidl IIRC. Wouldn't want to use day in day out but for occassional use: perfick!
 
A mate that I was at school with did a lot of model aircraft building at the age of about 12. I don’t think his dad had much involvement. Balsa, scalpels and glue.
I’d say the 12 year old would be fine with minor supervision, using a Dremel. The 9 year old would need close supervision.

In another life I worked in a university art dept. It is scary how many 18 year olds have zero idea of how to join two bits of wood together. We had massive induction courses as we had full woodworking workshops that would kill the inattentive.
 
Justin Passing said:
First to set the scene - I'm suddenly alone so need distraction, and a neighbour is a single parent home educating 3 boys. The mother is very bright but hasn't anyone to teach her kids the sort of thing her dad taught her. Sexist yes, but realistic, I think, to perceive a problem. Highlit in her case by marrying a bloke who would call someone in, to put a number on the front door.

She won't accept charidee so I'm going to have to "lend" things. I thought a dremel kit with the routing etc attachments would get the kids going, They're around 9-12 yrs old at the moment. Fiercely intelligent. (one's doing ancient greek gcse, to get a better ide when translating the sctiptures, natch).


I don't have a genuine Dremel, - what I was wondering, is if they would be too chunky for small hands???

I have a razor saw and mitre box , to do some balsa carpentry without too making too much mess. ANy other ideas?
Click to expand...

A few years ago I worked for a lovely family. As a parting gift, I gave the kids a cool/hot melt glue gun and a Japanese saw. Mr customer already had a cordless drill. I figured that a pull saw was safer than a push saw.
 
check the basics first
make sure they are aware off general dangers off tools as they have had probably zero exposure so check the absolute basics first
 

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