Child's Workbench

[Stephenw]

Here is a minature folding workbench that I built for my boys. You can click the picture if you want to read the whole story on my blog...

[rwhite692]

I am in the process of building a bench for my little guy using a chunk of bowling lane wood leftover from building my own workbenches. I'll post up some pics when it's done.

[rwhite692]

OK so here are a few pics. A few little items left to finish up, a little paint, etc. but you get the idea.




I managed to find a Stanley model 700 vise new in the box on Ebay for $17. It is the same model I had on the bench my Dad built for me when I was 2.



Small hand grinder is visible at the top of this photo. I already have my little guy trained to put his little goggles on when he uses it.



old (mid 60s to mid 70s) Handy Andy tool sets (all the stuff w/light blue handles) are pretty cool and are sized for small hands, once again Ebay to the rescue. Just as I remember them from my own childhood. My daughter enjoyed learning how to use the brace and bit:





The little 2.5HP Briggs was a $25 find, it runs great but I don't know if it ever will again, LOL. It will be bolted down onto a lazy-susan turntable. I loosened all the bolts on it, to give my kids a head start on scattering it to pieces. (I took the coil off just in case...)

[Stephenw]

Great Job. It looks like he is having fun.

[rwhite692]

Great job on yours, Stephen! I was just checking out the pictures.

[John in OH]

My father built a simple child-size workbench out of scraps for my children when they were small. Now my children are grown and my grandchildren now use it when they come to visit. The bench is nothing fancy, but I think it is really cool to see the little girls work on a bench built by their great-grandfather.

Top is 1/4" hardboard over 1/2" OSB, width 48", depth 24" and height 29". It is equipped with two, small, old-style woodworking vises. It carries a lot of scars, splashes and dribbles from years of kid use, but that all adds to its character.

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Bench in action!! Before Thanksgiving, I cut pieces for two bluebird houses and pre-drilled all the holes. The two girls (5-1/2 and 3-1/2 ... yes, the "1/2" is very important in their view!) glued, nailed, and painted ... with assistance from my wife and me. They worked hard and stayed focused as can be seen in their faces ... when concentrating the younger one frowns and the older one bites her tongue.

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I've since picked up a pair of 10 oz. claw hammers and child-size safety glasses for next time.

[Stephenw]

Great John. Thanks for sharing your story.

[justafurnaceman]

I've posted this in a thread that I started about my daughter and I but I'll share it here too. She enjoys spending time in the workshop with me "helping" me with my projects. She also enjoys painting, drawing, and playing with blocks of wood or nuts and bolts that I give her. The bench is just a simple design. I've been designing the next one with drawers and such.

[Stephenw]

Another one off to a great start. Thanks for sharing.

[John in OH]

Originally Posted by rwhite692

The little 2.5HP Briggs was a $25 find, it runs great but I don't know if it ever will again, LOL. It will be bolted down onto a lazy-susan turntable. I loosened all the bolts on it, to give my kids a head start on scattering it to pieces. (I took the coil off just in case...)

I like the idea of having a small engine that the kids can take apart and reassemble ... in what ever manner they choose. I've tried to think of mechanical tasks for the girls, but never had much luck. Maybe I can find an old junk engine clean it up, loosen the bolts and turn them loose on a teardown as you have done!!

[rwhite692]

Furnaceman, that looks great. I like the shelves that you added to the pegboard, I think I will add something similar, to the one I built.

Also, your sig line is great, LOL!

[rwhite692]

Originally Posted by John in OH

....They worked hard and stayed focused as can be seen in their faces ... when concentrating the younger one frowns and the older one bites her tongue....

Great pics! and a great bench, John. A family heirloom, for sure! -Rob

[BeachBum2012]

Those are all great looking benches. Its an awesome idea to get them started young too.