How young is too young to learn

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I want to start teaching my 8yr old to weld with the Mig.  He already knows about the safety issues. But I can't find any good leather gloves small enough for him.  Is 8yrs old too young?  He is really excited and keeps asking every day when we're gonna go out in the shop.  I figure if I teach him now, he'll have the upper hand and be able to start building his own toys at a young age.  Chad
Reply:burning metal and running up the power bill... and learning in the process is a far cry better than what most kids want to do at that age.How about something like motorcycle gloves?  I don't remember if they're leather, or a plastic knockoff.  Like BMX riding gloves or something to that effect.
Reply:Talk to your LWS, they can usually special order some pretty small gloves. I've seen some female welders with pretty small hands !!Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Excellent idea teaching your child something useful and in demand. They DO make ladies welding gloves that are spefically made for smaller hands. Give that a shot and kudos to teaching the youngin'! John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Looked at my Radnor catalog but didn't find anything that would work. A quick search on ebay turned up these pricey things that might; http://cgi.ebay.com/Shelby-Fire-Glov...QQcmdZViewItemXSmall is 6-7 inches measured around the palm, only thing I saw in smaller sizes wasn't suitable for welding. Get that kid welding...and enjoy it !!Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Have you thought of women's TIG gloves?
Reply:Try Standco Gloves at 1-903-796-7936,  They will have them or will make them for you.  A large glove and leather Mfg.     JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Originally Posted by 3 weelin geezerHave you thought of women's TIG gloves?
Reply:I started letting my 7 and 10 year old GIRLS run some stick weld beads and they thought it was pretty cool.  The smallest gloves I had weren't a very tight fit so they weren't ideal but they did the trick.  I started off standing behind them and holding my hands around theirs running the first few beads, then I just got them started on some beads and let them complete them.  They tend to want to move way too fast.  An autodarkening hood is also a must if you want to make it easy for them to get started.
Reply:Heck yeahThat way you can say  "How do ya like me now "  to those over-protective parents that wont even let their kids use pointed yard darts  Its good glad to hear of it. weld it like you own it
Reply:I wish I started earlier than I did.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Thanks for the tips on the gloves. I'll find something for him soon.  As for those riding gloves like bmx'ers, if they are anything like Mechanix gloves they are bad news for welding. Ask me how I know.I've got my 8yr old and a 6yr old that is getting interested too.  I am blessed with two boys that would rather spend the days out doors than playing video games. No offense to any of you Trade welders but I don't want them to become welders when they grow up but I do want them to learn how to do as much as they can on thier own and become self sufficient.  I have taught myself to do many things with nothing more than the will and desire to do it.  I want them to be the same way.  I'm all about College but a man anit nothin if he can't use his hands.
Reply:I've already had my 3yo daughter burning some wire.  Hard to keep here attention though.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:I started when I was 8. My dad was tired of welding my go-kart so he tought me. As for not growing up to be a welder. I am not offended but let me tell you in the right are with the right skills!!!!! look out. I do very well and have a few other welders here that travel to the states 6 mo. out of the year and only work here for 6 months. He makes about 125k in 6 months. Others I know here avarage 100k running a small buisness. More than my wife the lawyer and we aint got no 100k student loans. Good luck and you might try Lowes or Home depot I get my light duty welding gloves there I just use regular leather wirk gloves and they have all sizes. Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:Taught the nephew to MIG around 6-7 years.
Reply:If they have an interest in it, I don't see where age has anything to do with when a person can learn to do anything.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33If they have an interest in it, I don't see where age has anything to do with when a person can learn to do anything.
Reply:I think it is a great idea. My dad helped me lay my first bead when i was 11. Wish i had started sooner.  I got hooked and have been doing it ever since.  As soon as my little one gets older i will attempt to get her interested, however its doubtful she will due to her mother. I'm sure some of you guys know what i'm talking about. can't live with em, cant' kill em   I say go for it man and good luck.
Reply:I was 9 or 10 when my Pop handed me the Stinger & helmet saying "You give it a try." It didn't wack me out much PJ - Bucks County PALincoln: AC-225, AC/DC 225/125, Weld-Pak 155
Reply:Thanks for all the support guys/gals. I thought I had this thread set up to get an email when someone posted to it but I guess not.  I would have replied sooner otherwise.  Unfortunately, Things have been real crazy lately and I haven't been able to get him out in the shop but I will  be here very soon. I'll be sure to get a couple of pics of his work too.
Reply:Very cool, get them out there.My dad was a High School Industrial Arts Teacher. Starting at around 7, I have great memories of going with him when I had a day off of school or to his night classes that he taught. He would set me up with a stool at a welding booth with a pile of scrap. I had so much fun, I would dress myself up in all of his protective foundry clothing including at that time some huge gloves. Then I would burn lots of rod. What a blast.
Reply:My daughter-in-law has expressed an interest in learning with the Mig.  Son has a stick welder but he seldom has a need to set it up and frankly, I think she might be a bit intimidated from watching him in the past.Looking forward to it!
Reply:Good on ya, mate!I'm 40, a total newbie & just taking my first steps in welding (MIG, LE SP 125-Plus). I'm wishing now that I'd started when I was much younger, so my hat goes off to you and to your sons.I have 4 year-old boy-girl twins and an eight month old girl. I'd like them to experience welding as well as woodworking, which is my principle hobby. It's becoming clear to me that my welder just might be a good deal safer than pretty much any of my woodworking machines, with the probable exception of the scroll saw and band saw. I wouldn't be comfortable starting them out on machines before 7 or 8 - and even then only on the scroll saw with supervision. So, assuming you could get protective gear in the proper size (autodarkening helmet, leather jacket, breathing protection, eye protection under helmet, gloves, good footwear), I'd be inclined to say both of your sons probably have the strength, attention span and dexterity to make their first steps.Your kids are lucky to have a dad who's so open-minded. Good luck to you guys!Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away. And you have their shoes.Roland
Reply:I can remember watching my dad when i was 4. He taught me to look thru the hood and not around it when he was welding...BobBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
Reply:i can remember wanting to watch my dad weld, we did not have an extra hood so i took a box lid, cut a hole in it and then taped a dark lense over it. at least i could watch from a distance.G3miller... 225g, s32p, 250x, 304, 12vs, MSW41     victor o/a thermal dynamics cutmaster 50 lenco panel spotter        hobart hf-boxG3 Farms.....raising cattle, hay, kids and hell, ...oh yeah I'm a fire sprinkler contractor by trade.Get them burning the wire.. My 4 year old has been pushing fluxcore wire and i have had him even try stick...I learned at 5 to run 6010.. My dad was a pipeliner..
Reply:I introduced my 6 yr old son to welding just a week ago. he was supposed to be doing his homework but he thought it was so awesome. during the summer I think I'll let him practice on a few scraps. I'm like Incognito though, college comes first... but he can use this trade to get himself through it. If he wants to merge the two, then he can study engineering.
Reply:When you get the gloves, test them out with a propane torch to make sure they don't melt.  I bought some small "all purpose leather gloves" for my 5 yo to wear. Fortunately I found out by accident (hit them with a propane torch) that they weren't leather when he WASN'T wearing them... they just shriveled up and melted in a blink of an eye. I shudder to think what might have happened if he grabbed a chunk of hot steel wearing them."ALL PURPOSE". ha. I let my 5 yo watch me weld, tell him when he is 6 that I will let him try out the torch. I want him to be able to machine or melt anything that is metal and make fine cabinets out of anything that is wood by the time he is in HS.  No starter "food service" jobs for him if I have anything to say about it.Tim
Reply:I am trying to teach my 16 yr old....BUT he's too busy chasing the girls around....go figureIf it's too . get an office jobLincoln wp225g7 Lincoln 250 idealarcFrankenstein O/A set-up Weld-tech  tig set-upLincoln sp 175 plus profax  arc gouger
Reply:Originally Posted by TrachitoI introduced my 6 yr old son to welding just a week ago. he was supposed to be doing his homework but he thought it was so awesome. during the summer I think I'll let him practice on a few scraps. I'm like Incognito though, college comes first... but he can use this trade to get himself through it. If he wants to merge the two, then he can study engineering.
Reply:6 years old!Have to get him smaller gloves though.
Reply:I've been letting my 10 year old and 8 year old sons watch me weld with my extra helmet.  My oldest son has a pile of cutoff scraps that he wants to try to weld together.  I'll probably let him do it.  I like what some of the others here have said about never having to work at a burger joint or grocery store, and it would be great for him to be able to pay his way through college by welding.  (I worked at Burger King, TG&Y, Wal-mart and Sherwin-Williams until I got on the Fire Dept. at 21)
Reply:My boys are 13 and 16, been working with me in the yard over 4 years past now. Arc, flux core, Mig and even TIG. Goal is to have my son certified before he graduated High School. Good Luck, never to young."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:I honestly would say that teaching to weld to anyone younger than 15-16 is a recipe for disaster . There is no hurry at all , and -while welding- errors or mistakes tend to be painful , catastrofical and permanent . I wouldnt ever let my son get close to the welding shop .www.spannerheads.com
Reply:I am teaching my oldest boy at 13 and this summer the yougest at 10 will be giving it a go. Here is a post I did for my oldest son.http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread...hlight=brandonMiller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Originally Posted by jcarrionI honestly would say that teaching to weld to anyone younger than 15-16 is a recipe for disaster .
Reply:I grew up in front of the family shop and clearly remember being 4 years old and being out there when dad was welding. My son was 7 when i started him in the shop and he didn't weld for a few more years he sure could tell me if the part wasn't square or plum. Now he is a jig and fixture builder for a die shop and i still play in the shop  ...BobBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
Reply:Originally Posted by jcarrionI honestly would say that teaching to weld to anyone younger than 15-16 is a recipe for disaster . There is no hurry at all , and -while welding- errors or mistakes tend to be painful , catastrofical and permanent . I wouldnt ever let my son get close to the welding shop .
Reply:I'm almost 16 and i am just learning to weld my dad never welded so i never learned. but he was always working on cars or around the yard and my grandfather always doing wood working projects and let me help. i wish i could have learned welding at a young age so i could fix my own parts that a broke on my 4wheeler and not have to ask people to do it for me
Reply:im glad i learned to weld at a young age now im a freshmen in college working on a bachelors degree. Im able to pay for eveything with my welding job and thankfully because school loans are around $30,000 for a cheap 4 yr school w/o intrest.
Reply:I grew up in a rock pit and I can remember watching my dad welding at probably 4 and at about  6 he set me out in the pile of scrap iron and let me stick stuff together probably kept me busy for hours but by todays standards of safty its a wonder any of us lived to be adults lol