Kid's first engine

[Mr_Roboto]

Well, my son is 5 and he was interested in what I was doing to my project heap. I am thinking we may go through a Briggs engine I have laying around. Anyone done this before with a little one? Just wondering how it went, and if anyone had any hints. I'm thinking we'll probably end up using my small cordless impact to make life simpler.

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[RICH17]

Hand tools only for the small one. Make him suffer....

 

[Mook]

5? Might I suggest legos instead?

 

[Mr_Roboto]

5? Might I suggest legos instead?

I could wire a fuse panel by 8. With actual house voltage. I have my doubts it'll kill him, if anything he may learn something.

 

[Mook]

And I was able to wire a thermostat by 31. We're not here to gloat.

 

[CMNTMXR57]

Shit, my kids were out in the garage helping me not soon after they could walk.

I say a Big Block is needed.

 

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Maybe one of the clear engine kits, so he can see how it goes together. I'm not sure if there are really any that are appropriate to a 5 year old.

I've met quite a few kids I think would be smart enough, but most lack the patience to actually put the thing together.

its the same problem with Legos. Some kids have the aptitude to assemble the big kits, but just don't have the patience, so you end up with a pile of bricks that become a mine field in your living room. Just waiting for that one mis-step.

And NOTHING seems to hurt more than a lego brick.

 

[RICH17]

Legos are a must for any kid I think.

 

[IceCreamAssassin]

Small steps, they lose focus fast. Could always just go Lego Technics, those have motors.

 

[importcrew]

As mentioned, start smaller with a model kit or legos. But if your son is kind of like my 2.5 year old daughter, you'll have times when the kid really tries and focuses while listening and times when they just goof around a lot and can't maintain their attention. But any day you notice they're willing to notice and listen, jump on that chance.

I say start with something smaller then work your way up to bigger and bigger motors.

 

[P40E]

Auto 1 in high school is small engine rebuild . You get a running lawnmower engine tear it down and put it back together . And hopefully it runs .

 

[Mr_Roboto]

I do not think this will go back together but will be a chance for him to get his hands dirty and maybe learn something. If he gets it running and back together I may have a prodigy on my hands.

 

[boostedguy05]

get an old $5.00 weed wacker off CL and have at it.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

get an old $5.00 weed wacker off CL and have at it.

Pretty much the plan, I have a few dumpster dived lawn mowers I was going to scrap out anyways.

 

[boostedguy05]

same concept. good enough!