Angle Grinder - Safety Question

[Damaged]

Hi,

At what age would you let your Son (supervised) use a 4 1/2" grinder?

My lad is 14 years old, very sensible (more than I am at times ) and quite practical, he's good around the garage with hand tools and was very sensible when I let him use a mig.

I'm just a bit concerned that he won't be prepared in the event the grinder snatches.

He thinks I'm being over protective and keeps asking to let me do his own prep.

Many thanks for any advice,

Mick.

 

[Afterimage]

Hi,

At what age would you let your Son (supervised) use a 4 1/2" grinder?

My lad is 14 years old, very sensible (more than I am at times ) and quite practical, he's good around the garage with hand tools and was very sensible when I let him use a mig.

I'm just a bit concerned that he won't be prepared in the event the grinder snatches.

He thinks I'm being over protective and keeps asking to let me do his own prep.

Many thanks for any advice,

Mick.

Get him kitted out in good safety gear and let him get on with it,it's not that likely that he's gonna sever any fingers now is it?
Just hide the twist knot cup brushes away,cos they can be a bit unpredictable.

 

[runnach]

I'd be wary with your son only being 14yo. Reason being, society is a tad too pc these days, if something did happen (injury) and he had to attend hospital, perhaps NHS may have to call in social services because of type of injury and his age? It is all ifs and buts.

Whatever you decide, do not let him change a disc, no abrasive wheels certificate could make matters worse! The above maybe sounds a bit OTT, we live in a cotton wool world when kids are involved. I have to create risk assessment docs for 18yo students, whether this be for tool usage in college, or taking them on a visit to an interesting manufacturing company.

 

[malcolm]

If it was me I'd go for it. I bought my first angle grinder at 16 and had no safety tuition at all. If you give decent safety tuition (such as don't change the disc while the power is on, never remove the guard, proper protective equipment, don't press too hard and have the disc shatter or bend a cutting disc, clear the work area so sparks don't set fire to things, grind so sparks go away from self etc) then he'd be in a better position than I was.

If it's clear that he'll be banned from using the thing if he violates the rules then he ought to be safer than the 36 year old I have sharing my garage who on occasion has ignored every single bit of that advice.

 

[Hitch]

I think at 14 he should be capable to hold onto a 4.5" grinder in any circumstances surely? I gather hes not one of theses kids thats frightened of everything and afraid to get dirty!
The biggest thing to beare in mind, is are you using it properly yourself?

Id let him change discs himself, as long as hes shown properly, and the right disc is selected.

There comes a time when you have to stop worrying and just get on with things.

 

[Damaged]

Thanks very much for the replies Gents.

If he asks I'll let him have a go at the weekend.

I didn't mention it in the origional post but Mickj picked it up, it was wire brushes I was worried about, will keep them locked away.

Thanks once again

Mick.

 

[Hitch]

Hell have to use one oneday mick....

If hes wearing PPE, including overalls or a leather apron, hes not going to come to any harm. The worst will be it'll snatch and scare him.
I wonder what grinder you have mick?

 

[Drains]

Have to agree with Hitch. Let him at it, but insist he wears the right PPE including gloves he can grind into and notice before his hand goes, and make sure he knows why, and remind him of the waiting time at the local A&E and what a PITA it is getting bits of steel picked out of your eyes, then applying those sodding eye drops for a week after...

Doesn't matter how old he is, it's whether he has a brain in his head.

 

[runnach]

I guess I had my work hat on when replying, hence the OTT I added in, I agree with Malcolm and Hitch, I just maybe looked further outside the box (bigger picture) one has to learn by one means or another. Point I was trying to make was, in the horrible event of an injury, would/could this be deemed as a parent being irresponsible taking into consideration the age of a a child, any child.......interesting!

As for changing discs, industry H&S recommends the user/guy who changes the discs attends an abrasive wheels course and is certified to do so.

 

[malcolm]

could this be deemed as a parent being irresponsible

It's very irresponsible - he'll be playing with fabrication when he should be out meeting girls.

 

[runnach]

Now that is sad, grinding metal when............no matter

 

[Welderpaul]

It's very irresponsible - he'll be playing with fabrication when he should be out meeting girls.

Nowt wrong with that!

Yeah, i agree, show him the proper way to use the grinder, how to change discs etc, keep a close eye on him, and let him get on with it.
I had my first grinder at 14 ish. A Black and Decker it was
By 14 1/2 developed a fetish for Makita!

 

[Hitch]

I didnt get my first grinder till 18, had jigsaw and drill at 14 though
Used my dads circular saw and elec plane from about 13.

 

[Weldingartisan]

Far better you show your lad the right way to use tools and give him the confidence and skills to do it safely, than by curiosity when dads not about! W/A

 

[HasBean]

My grandad was a plumber and from the age of 6 spent Saturday mornings with him in his workshop (slave labour )
Working the belows for his forge, being the motor for his pillar drill, chopping up zinc into HCL (that was fun!)
Always showed me how to do things and I almost always left with some type of tool, albeit a file or some sort (having been shown how to use it first!)
My eldest daughter had a maplin electronic 'bug' kit and a soldering iron when she was 7, she didn't need a lot of supervision (hasn't burnt herself yet but that'll come, I still do!)
Worrying thing is my 3 yr old wants an angle grinder from Father Christmas

 

[Hitch]

My 3y/o wants a kettle and toaster for her birthday

Sounds like shes getting ready o move out

 

[Damaged]

Cheers Gents,

I have 3 grinders, all Makita.

2 x 4 1/2" and 1 x 9" (the 9" will stay out of bounds for now...)

Thanks,

Mick.

 

[Muggins the Mug]

Hi there,

I think it's great that a 14 year old is being shown how to use tools properly. For too long in this country the PC brigade has tried to wrap the kids up in so much cotton wool, that it's hampering their upbringing.

In common with others who've replied to this thread, I've started using power tools and the like when I was a lot younger. I was soldering when I was 11, using a petrol lawnmover and electric strimmer when I was only 12 - often walking long distances to get petrol for the Victa lawnmower.

To me, using a power tool comes natural and most people are able to use one without great difficulty. I think where H&S comes into it is when you've had an idiotic minority abuse the tools or play around with them resulting in injuries. I think if it wasn't for these type of people we wouldn't be so hide bound with regulations.

Regards,

Ian.

 

[paul33]

My son was making stuff from wood when he was 5 - the wife thought i was mad giving him a brand new hand saw for his 6th birthday, he is now 21 still has all his fingers! he was always in workshop with me and he was introduced to the machines when he seemed ready. drilling machine at about 8, lathe at 10, baby mill at 11 or 12. the grinders are the things which I thought are most dangerous so spent a lot of time making him realise how much care is needed. I dont think you can say when the young ones are ready - it is just a case of watching over them and giving them a chance.

 

[JimM]

Personally I'd say the earlier the better - hopefully with you watching over him the safety aspect will become second nature. If you leave it too long he'll think he's 'big' enough not bother with gloves, visor etc

Also it's great to hear, you and son are keen on doing things together - personally some of my best memories are diying with my dad albeit he wasn't around much to do this