woodworking tools for pre-schoolers

[Vinko]

My son's preschool class does woodworking. They use hand drills, they saw wood, they hammer nails, they screw fasteners into wood to "make things" -- whatever their imaginations allow them to do. They use C-Clamps to clamp the wood to work tables and wear safety googles.

I think it's great.

Right now they're using claw hammers that are probably 12 oz. or 16 oz. Kind of too big (obviously).

I was thinking of getting them some 8 oz Vaughan ball peins for the school. But does anyone know anyone who makes a good 8 oz or even 6 oz claw hammer, preferably American-made with a good handle?

[Stuey]

I'll be on the lookout, but I'm not optimistic. The lightest quality claw hammer I can find is 10oz. I hate to say it, but for what you want to buy them for, you might want to consider mid-level brands such as Plumb or Stanley.

I remember buying either an 8oz or 12oz WorkForce claw hammer from Home Depot, and although it's nothing like Estwing or Vaughan, it's fine for non-essential work. In other words, when myself and the wife assemble furniture, that's the hammer that she gets to use. :D

If I remember correctly, an 8 oz Vaughan is about $13 or so at Home Depot and elsewhere.

I also think it's great what they're doing, and what you want to do to help them out. I'm a bit shocked that they're offering this to preschoolers, but as long as there is proper instruction and supervision, it should be alright.

[MAD]

My daughter recommends this one:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00938128000P?vName=Tools&cName=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&sName=Hammers

(She will be four in a couple days)

[Stuey]

My daughter recommends this one:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00938128000P?vName=Tools&cName=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&sName=Hammers

(She will be four in a couple days)
Ah, didn't see that one. What I like is how in the specs it says "item weight: 0.8 lbs." Only at Sears will a 7 oz hammer weigh 12.8 oz!

[Herb]

My mother took my first woodworking set away from me one piece at a time. First was the saw that I tried to saw my sisters arm with. Then there was the screw driver that I used to remove the screws from my prison cell door. Then the hammer that I used for beating on whatever was in arms reach.

[MAD]

What I like is how in the specs it says "item weight: 0.8 lbs." Only at Sears will a 7 oz hammer weigh 12.8 oz!

Hammers are classified by the weight of the head. The handle (+ packaging if it's shipping weight) could account for the rest.

[Paladin]

That's AWESOME! I thought all the schools in America were trying to turn our sons into nutered girls! The first time I got to work with tools in a school environment was in junior high. Good stuff!

[Stuey]

Hammers are classified by the weight of the head. The handle (+ packaging if it's shipping weight) could account for the rest.
I thoguht about that, but Craftsman hammers are sold w/o any packaging. I assumed that the handle was a bit less than 5oz, but maybe you're right.
That's AWESOME! I thought all the schools in America were trying to turn our sons into nutered girls! The first time I got to work with tools in a school environment was in junior high. Good stuff!
I never had any formal shop training. Well, except for my senior year of high school. FIRST robotics competition required some power tool use, and I took a double period tech shop. It was so random, too. We used spot welders, metal brakes, a drill press, and a band saw.

Actually, that was a great class! The first project was to modify a 2x4 to be as strong as positive (me and my partner won), the second project was to take huge empty cans from the cafeteria and turn them into flower pots, and the 3rd project which I too vaguely remember required building a contraption to lift a ball up, or something like that.

[MAD]

I thoguht about that, but Craftsman hammers are sold w/o any packaging. I assumed that the handle was a bit less than 5oz, but maybe you're right.
.

Hammers are classified by the weight of the head. The handle (+ packaging if it's shipping weight) could account for the rest.

If you have it shipped, they send it in a box.

[Stuey]

If you have it shipped, they send it in a box.
Yea, I know... I just wanted to hold onto the Sears-bashing, but I see that I'll just have to concede. By the way, check out the photo on this Craftsman product! (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00999979000P)

Ah, my Craftsman-bashing

[MAD]

By the way, check out the photo on this Craftsman product! (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00999979000P)


Yeah, I know about that one. I went to my local Sears to buy those clips. When I found out that it did not include the dB meter I was beside myself with anger. I insisted that I talk to the manager, but the idiot had no idea what I was talking about. Fortunately, I brought a printout that showed the picture with me and after 35 minutes of heated argument, they gave in and said if I bought the clips, they would ship the dB meter to me since it was not an in store item. I thought I had everything all taken care of until I went to pay for the clips. The bitch cashier would not let me combine discounts from two different coupons! Then the manager would not even come out and talk to me again. I have already filed a complaint with my state A.G. as well as the Better Business Bureau and I am seriously considering getting a lawyer to sue their ass. ;)

[Stuey]

Yeah, I know about that one...[snip] ...;)

LOL :lol_hitti