Getting my boys started in tools?

[texchappy]

I've begun to think about getting my boys (7 & 12) tool kits started. I know I want good tools so they'll be cable to use them all their life but I'm not particularly asking about brands.

Instead I'm wondering about what to put into the kit and when to give it to them. I don't know how handy they'll be or if they'll do anything with their cars when the time comes but I want them to be able to have the tools to do basic maintenance on home, auto, etc.

So what would you put in such a tool kit?

 

[LB-1911]

A few ideas @

Starter set for your kids
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290688

The basic toolkit
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252292&showall=1

 

[d.mcfarland]

Metric 1/4 and 3/8 sockets are a huge need. Start with those, ratchets, and extensions that are all of good quality and you won't have to worry about them replacing them.

 

[kd3pc]

My son was a tool nut by the time he was 4 or 5 ....I gave him a low drawer in the big box for "his tools" and wrote on the pull "thomas' tools". He is 25 now and I still think of all the great times we have had and look forward to more.

He had a hammer, and a flea market hand "pick". Several screwdrivers, a plier or two and some pencils and folding rule and the like. Pretty much what ever he wanted.

By the time he was 6 or 7, he was scolding my father-in-law for "leaving his tools all over the yard and that he - the F-i-L, should be punished for doing so".

My son and I went on to share drag racing and motorcycles, until he headed off to college in 2007. He still keeps a tool box at his apt for needed items.

 

[texchappy]

Thanks fir the links. I actually searched kids, child, children and came up blank.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Metric 1/4 and 3/8 sockets are a huge need. Start with those, ratchets, and extensions that are all of good quality and you won't have to worry about them replacing them.

I agree ! But you have to have SAE, because most appliances and lawn mowers over 5 years old are not Metric.

 

[madcrisis]

Get him an older bike that needs a little tlc but is in good shape. Get him the tools needed to work on the bike, and keep them in a bag. Thats how I began my tool probl... er, solution

 

[malykaii]

My opinion is just buy a harbor freight kit for each and let them figure it out. Tools will change a lot in 20 years, so no need to buy the good stuff. Also, who knows, one might find prefer German tools over US. One might end up not having anybontrest in tools at all and become a barber.

Also, if you have a daughter grab her a tool kit too.

 

[maxchevy]

My parents bought me a craftsman 200 something piece mechanic set for when I was about 14; 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 sockets and ratchets and metric and sae combo wrenches..I have added to them but that kit still makes up the bulk of my tools... I can't say I still have or even remember a lot of what they have given me but I am still grateful for my first set of tools

 

[dnschmidt]

Well it's cheaper than BLOW but not by much. Everybody has got to be addicted to something.

 

[PureLeaf]

Some of the SK tool sets are fairly good value. Its a blow mold case (so great for storage), comes with ratchet, few extensions, sockets of that particular size, etc.

Pretty high value for a child, especially if any got lost, but from the other end of things, they'd last a lifetime.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1...keywords=sk+socket+set&ie=UTF8&qid=1434309469

 

[jd_1138]

If you want to go with a less pricey set, Husky or USA Craftsman might be a good starter solution. Get one of the 200 piece kits and then a roller cabinet tool box.. Then when they are teens and get more serious about wrenching they can buy better stuff and then use the starter set for a trunk kit.

 

[honcho]

Getting them their own tools is great but, in my opinion, what they need first is something that requires some basic tools to work on. Since I have no idea of what interests your boys have, this will require some exploration. I suggest trying some different projects like taking apart / fixing a weedwhacker or lawnmower. A project that combines electronics and mechanical work like making a simple electric go kart. My boys didn't take much interest in tools until they had their own cars and realized how much money they could save by doing basic maintenance on their own.

Good luck, your kids are still in the "golden age" of their childhood. I wish them and you many happy explorations.

 

[Jim C.]

I started buying hand tools for my two kids about a dozen or so years ago. Almost all of it is USA made Craftsman and a few other brands. My thought was to give the tools to them when they got older. Well, they're both in their 20s now and neither one seems to have a need for them yet. Over the years I've accumulated two identical sets that fill eight copy machine paper boxes of brand new/unopened tools. At first I went for the absolute basics and always got stuff for them when it went on sale (Father's Day, Xmas, etc.). I think I started with hammers, screwdrivers, 1/4" drive sockets/ratchets, adjustable wrenches, a few combo wrenches, various pliers, utility knife, flashlight, tape measurer......very general stuff. As time went on, I added 3/8" drive tools, hack saws, Allen wrenches, a lot more metric tools, punches, tin snips, files, Dremels, nut drivers, tri-squares, deep sockets, pry bars, nail sets, more wrenches, ratcheting screwdrivers, blah, blah blah.......You get the idea.

So, I think it's a good idea to buy your kids some basic tools, and I also think it's a good idea to give them something to work on too.....see if they take an interest and go from there. Good luck. Try not to overspend.

Jim C.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

Getting them their own tools is great but, in my opinion, what they need first is something that requires some basic tools to work on. Since I have no idea of what interests your boys have, this will require some exploration. I suggest trying some different projects like taking apart / fixing a weedwhacker or lawnmower. A project that combines electronics and mechanical work like making a simple electric go kart. My boys didn't take much interest in tools until they had their own cars and realized how much money they could save by doing basic maintenance on their own.

Good luck, your kids are still in the "golden age" of their childhood. I wish them and you many happy explorations.

I grew up doing regualr maintenance, car repairs, and projects around the house with my dad, but didn't have my own tools. It didn't bother me because I never saw the need to have my own, or expected not to use his tools. I was taught to respect his tools. Personally, I wouldn't worry about getting them their own tools unless they have a strong desire to do so. The memories I have with my Dad are what's important, not the tools. Make lots of memories, and when they go off to college send a basic blow-molded all-in-one kit with them. They'll build their tool inventory from there as they need.

Not to say gifting tools to them is a bad thing, just that unless they are really into the tools, it's not necessary. The lessons you're teaching and the memories you are making by using the tools together is what's really important.

 

[RustyAngel]

If memory serves, my grandfather ("Grumpa") got me started with my first tools as a Christmas present when I was about eight years old. (That would have been the same year my dad gave me my first pocket knife for my birthday). Grumpa picked out a small Plumb hammer, a 6 foot Lufkin tape measure, a 6" pair of Channel-lock arc joint pliers, a 6" Crescent adjustable wrench, a small set of sae combinations wrenches, a set of Stanley screwdrivers, and an S-K 1/4" sae ratchet and socket set, all in a Plano tool box. I remember most of the brand names so well because I still have all these tools and use them to this day. The tool box was large enough to accept more tools as Grumpa added to my collection. For instance, the following year I received two sets of Vice-Grips; a regular jaw and a needle nosed.
My tools did outgrow that original toolbox. Now my tools are joined by most of Grumpa's old tools in his Craftsman rollabout cabinet. He's given me most all of his mechanics tools, including all the Snap-On tools HIS father used as a professional mechanic, back when "the Ford car" meant the Model T.
Every time I pick one up to work on my cars, I'm grateful.

 

[Granite80]

Gave each of my boys (12, 14, 16) a Snap-On F80 for Xmas. (Used off eBay, but like new condition.)

Huge hit. More cherished than Xbox, though the Xbox gets more use by them. Wanted them to start with Made in the USA high quality, unlike how I started

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd start off buying them a decent little box, well, not that little. A wide array of places should carry a box like this.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...r-steel-portable-tool-chest-20-1-2-in-l-black

Once you get it bought, it becomes a place to store the tools you buy for them. If they get older and decide they don't want to do much in the "get hands dirty", it will be sufficent for them. If they grow up to become a guy that enjoys GJ, they then will still use the box that dad bought for them.

Keep your eyes open in the Hot Deals section as you can get some great leads on tool deals. Start with the basics.

 

[930dreamer]

I've begun to think about getting my boys (7 & 12) tool kits started. I know I want good tools so they'll be cable to use them all their life but I'm not particularly asking about brands.

Instead I'm wondering about what to put into the kit and when to give it to them. I don't know how handy they'll be or if they'll do anything with their cars when the time comes but I want them to be able to have the tools to do basic maintenance on home, auto, etc.

So what would you put in such a tool kit?

I have a pallet of hand carry and larger toolboxes if you need two let me know, and I'll bring two your way.

 

[sberry]

Some kind of box and Sears or HF sale set. If they like that let them add. There is absolutely no point in tossing money at this. The low end tools are not much more than toy prices, maybe less. My kid has a pile in Thomas ****, I don't even want to know, all scrap.;

 

[sberry]

Mine wanted an own box,,, or others thought it was a gread idea and 10 well spent to find out it didn't take long to figure it was really easier to use Dads tools anyway.

 

[cabin fever]

I bought my son the HF Red 6 drawer cabinet. (the one with the flip up lid that has its own thread on here). Stocked it with metric, and SAW wrenches, and all size sockets, and ratchets. Screw Drivers, pliers, and some Misc ****. Did it for him when he was 11.

When they start borrowing your tools, its time to get them their own.....that was my thought anyway.

 

[the gypsy]

Eureka! I just figure, I can buy tools I don't have and when the wife *******, I can tell it's for your son....... LOL

 

[trainer]

When my twins graduated grade 8, one wanted a digital camera, the other didnt say what he wanted.
I bought him a roller cart with a basic set of lifetime warranty mechanic's tools. We spent about the same on both gifts.

Now they are in their 20's and the camera is obsolete and never sees the light of day, but the tool set keeps growing.

 

[texchappy]

I have a pallet of hand carry and larger toolboxes if you need two let me know, and I'll bring two your way.

That's great 930dreamer, thanks.