Kids running saws

[Rooted.Tree.Solutions]

So, I’ve got 5 kids, 3 are boys. My oldest boy is 10. I’ve got no problem with him running our log splitter to split wood as long as I’m home and around. He works hard and follows direction. I’ve been training him on that machine for the past 2 years. I’ve never been comfortable with him running a saw because I feel like he still isn’t strong enough to handle it safely. I’m just curious how old some of your boys were when you first started letting them run a saw and how you came to that decision.

 

[VenasNursery]

So, I’ve got 5 kids, 3 are boys. My oldest boy is 10. I’ve got no problem with him running our log splitter to split wood as long as I’m home and around. He works hard and follows direction. I’ve been training him on that machine for the past 2 years. I’ve never been comfortable with him running a saw because I feel like he still isn’t strong enough to handle it safely. I’m just curious how old some of your boys were when you first started letting them run a saw and how you came to that decision.

I have no experience in this situation butI feel you are the best judge on this subject

I’ve been running skid steer when I was 4 years old
Times are totally deferent now but I believe the younger the better if they are ready
IMO

 

[oldoakman]

I agree with Venas. You are the best person to decide when you feel your boys are mature enough and strong enough to handle a saw. My son was 12 but he, like me is a supersized person. My grandson on the other hand while he will probably be ok running a saw at 12, is of smaller stature which may limit him. he runs equipment now and has had his own commercial grade battery weedeater and blower for 2 years so he understands the issue of safe operation which his dad and I both reinforce in him. The biggest thing you must instill is that they dont operate them unless you are present. Boys will be boys.

 

[southsoundtree]

Start with bucking logs on the ground.
Move saw, release brake, position saw, finger to trigger, cut, chain brake, move saw.

You can start, with finishing pre-measured kerfs at firewood length. All effort at safe handling, no need to decide where to cut. A stack of wood at a good even length, like Dad cuts, would be a satisfying result.

Somehow mark that wood, so the kid/ family knows when his wood is warming the house.
I wrote funny messages for my GF on wood she GRCS lifted and lowered over a house. By the time it's ready to burn, it's a memory to burn, and a milestone for their skills... Remember when this was so new... See what you can do now!





I'd start holding the saw with the kid, reaching from behind.

Stepping stones to build skills, and strength.



Or just wait until they're strong and smart enough for my dad's chainsaw orientation to cutting (he didn't know how)...Keep it away from your leg, and try not to get it stuck in the cut.

 

[Rooted.Tree.Solutions]

Start with bucking logs on the ground.
Move saw, release brake, position saw, finger to trigger, cut, chain brake, move saw.

You can start, with finishing pre-measured kerfs at firewood length. All effort at safe handling, no need to decide where to cut. A stack of wood at a good even length, like Dad cuts, would be a satisfying result.

Somehow mark that wood, so the kid/ family knows when his wood is warming the house.
I wrote funny messages for my GF on wood she GRCS lifted and lowered over a house. By the time it's ready to burn, it's a memory to burn, and a milestone for their skills... Remember when this was so new... See what you can do now!





I'd start holding the saw with the kid, reaching from behind.

Stepping stones to build skills, and strength.



Or just wait until they're strong and smart enough for my dad's chainsaw orientation to cutting (he didn't know how)...Keep it away from your leg, and try not to get it stuck in the cut.

This is great feedback. Thank you!

 

[B_Strange]

I agree that you are the best judge for your kid. I’ve got 2 daughters, 17 and 11. The 17 yo is artsy and while she does well rigging her eye hand coordination and situational awareness are not as good as her 11 yo sister. My 17 yo will not be on saw ever. Just not her talent. She’s not weak or less than than just not where her skills lie.
My 11 yo has her own Stihl 170 that her grandfather gave her. He was too unsteady with vertigo to use it so he gave it to her. She has rated eye and ear pro and her own pair of chainsaw pants. I taught her to buck logs the way @southsoundtree said in his post. She knows never to use it if I’m not home and is a PPE Nazi (can I say that?)! Eyes, ears, chaps or pants and a helmet better be on or she is on you. Keeps me honest and I appreciate it. Her saw is named “Chip” and she saving for a case. After she buys her own climbing system.
I will say this, and it’s nothing you don’t know, your kid will do what you do. If you are a cowboy and unsafe your kid will be as well. Model what you teach and be humble.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Great story B!

I don't like the use of this N word either. The connotation has made me uncomfortable for decades. There are plenty of other terms.

 

[B_Strange]

Thanks Tom! I appreciate you helping me sharpen my social skills. I’ll be the first to admit I need to grow in that area. You are right about that and I apologize for being offensive. So a PPE hawk? Thanks again!

 

[CanadianStan]

Start with bucking logs on the ground.
Move saw, release brake, position saw, finger to trigger, cut, chain brake, move saw.

You can start, with finishing pre-measured kerfs at firewood length. All effort at safe handling, no need to decide where to cut. A stack of wood at a good even length, like Dad cuts, would be a satisfying result.

Somehow mark that wood, so the kid/ family knows when his wood is warming the house.
I wrote funny messages for my GF on wood she GRCS lifted and lowered over a house. By the time it's ready to burn, it's a memory to burn, and a milestone for their skills... Remember when this was so new... See what you can do now!





I'd start holding the saw with the kid, reaching from behind.

Stepping stones to build skills, and strength.



Or just wait until they're strong and smart enough for my dad's chainsaw orientation to cutting (he didn't know how)...Keep it away from your leg, and try not to get it stuck in the cut.

You

Start with bucking logs on the ground.
Move saw, release brake, position saw, finger to trigger, cut, chain brake, move saw.

You can start, with finishing pre-measured kerfs at firewood length. All effort at safe handling, no need to decide where to cut. A stack of wood at a good even length, like Dad cuts, would be a satisfying result.

Somehow mark that wood, so the kid/ family knows when his wood is warming the house.
I wrote funny messages for my GF on wood she GRCS lifted and lowered over a house. By the time it's ready to burn, it's a memory to burn, and a milestone for their skills... Remember when this was so new... See what you can do now!





I'd start holding the saw with the kid, reaching from behind.

Stepping stones to build skills, and strength.



Or just wait until they're strong and smart enough for my dad's chainsaw orientation to cutting (he didn't know how)...Keep it away from your leg, and try not to get it stuck in the cut.

You are a wise man. I really appreciate all of your contributions on this site

 

[Stumpsprouts]

I wrote funny messages for my GF on wood she GRCS lifted and lowered over a house. By the time it's ready to burn, it's a memory to burn, and a milestone for their skills... Remember when this was so new... See what you can do now!

This is so romantic. Way to go!

 

[Steve Connally]

I am really on the fence with this as I have a company I work for that routinely has children on the ground. The older child is running a saw fairly well. My concern is he's Autistic and I worry about his attention and job site awareness. Since i'm just a sub I really don't have a say in the matter. It's a family biz and I suppose if the parents see fit then who am I to question it. It still makes me uncomfortable having children working on a job site i'm on. There is a local biz owner who's in jail and has been for quite a while. One of his adopted children had a fatal chipper accident. He was charged with child endangerment, violation of child labor laws and involuntary manslaughter. I honestly don't know the age limit for heavy machinery in VA but I personally wouldn't hire or have a person less than 18 years old on one of my job sites working. Just gives me pause. My inner dialogue screams at me that this is not acceptable. Maybe i'm wrong as many on here started working and climbing at a young age. I guess I worry more about the safety and legal ramifications. Or perhaps i'm just a stick in the mud.

 

[Rooted.Tree.Solutions]

I am really on the fence with this as I have a company I work for that routinely has children on the ground. The older child is running a saw fairly well. My concern is he's Autistic and I worry about his attention and job site awareness. Since i'm just a sub I really don't have a say in the matter. It's a family biz and I suppose if the parents see fit then who am I to question it. It still makes me uncomfortable having children working on a job site i'm on. There is a local biz owner who's in jail and has been for quite a while. One of his adopted children had a fatal chipper accident. He was charged with child endangerment, violation of child labor laws and involuntary manslaughter. I honestly don't know the age limit for heavy machinery in VA but I personally wouldn't hire or have a person less than 18 years old on one of my job sites working. Just gives me pause. My inner dialogue screams at me that this is not acceptable. Maybe i'm wrong as many on here started working and climbing at a young age. I guess I worry more about the safety and legal ramifications. Or perhaps i'm just a stick in the mud.

Steve, this is great feedback. Thank you. I wasn’t very clear in my original post. I’m simply looking to have my kids help me at home cutting and splitting firewood that we use to heat our home in the winter. Here in Indiana, you are not legally allowed to work on a jobsite until you’re 18, or if you’re in an internship program, you can start at 16. Thanks again for your input.

 

[B_Strange]

I am really on the fence with this as I have a company I work for that routinely has children on the ground. The older child is running a saw fairly well. My concern is he's Autistic and I worry about his attention and job site awareness. Since i'm just a sub I really don't have a say in the matter. It's a family biz and I suppose if the parents see fit then who am I to question it. It still makes me uncomfortable having children working on a job site i'm on. There is a local biz owner who's in jail and has been for quite a while. One of his adopted children had a fatal chipper accident. He was charged with child endangerment, violation of child labor laws and involuntary manslaughter. I honestly don't know the age limit for heavy machinery in VA but I personally wouldn't hire or have a person less than 18 years old on one of my job sites working. Just gives me pause. My inner dialogue screams at me that this is not acceptable. Maybe i'm wrong as many on here started working and climbing at a young age. I guess I worry more about the safety and legal ramifications. Or perhaps i'm just a stick in the mud.

Hi Steve. Yep I agree with you. My youngest helps me on jobs but it mostly brush moving. We don’t have a chipper and she never runs a saw on a job site. Not good juju. I respect your opinion and you’ve see more than I have with your EMT background. We have a small homestead so my girls have grown up with weapons and machinery and have a pretty good idea of when to “horse-ass around” ( as my grandfather would say) and when to be dialed in and serious. What I’ve done with the youngest as she wants to be an arborist is to take deliberate steps to train her on the ground and aloft so she will have solid experience before she leaves home. A lot of that is what I read from guys here and at Expo.

 

[SumoClimber]

Well, I still haven't let either of my boys(8 and almost 12) use a "real" chainsaw yet. I did pick up a black and decker alligator to go with the batteries from my mothers old leaf blower, and I've been teaching the kids with that while reducing the backyard brush pile. It's a piece of junk compared to almost anything normal, lol, but it can't be engaged without both hands pressing switches and seemed like the next place to start after trying to show them how to use loppers. Loppers, urgh, lol, one doesn't have the reach, one doesn't have the strength.

 

[Steve Connally]

@B_Strange @SumoClimber Totally get it. Respect you for teaching the "lost" generation some good old fashioned responsibility!

 

[Steve Connally]

Thanks @HigherGroundArborist I understand what direction you are going. That was my almost relevant, but not really, sidebar. Appreciate and respect your parenting.

 

[rustykfd]

My boys started running a small saw with supervision at about 12 and 14, progressed to actually working on the ground at 15 and 17. With my boys, if the older one does anything, the younger one is wired to keep up. We have settled in where my older boy cuts and bucks on the ground and my younger runs the ropes on the ground. They are both competent with the other’s job.There isn’t a right answer to when it’s prudent, but PPE is required.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[benfuest]

This is such a dificult subject. I too have five kids, grown ups realy. Today Joey has gone of to start his first day with a local arb team. Myself, I was on the saw for thirty years as a commercial timber faller and machine opperator. As a City and Guilds trainer and examiner in forest ops it should be all so simple and flow from one gen to the next. when its your own its just not the same. for example he had a text last night asking if he had ppe trousers and boots for saw. I told Joey that while he must respect all in life and those he works with. Think of everyone on site as an idiot with the ability to damage hime behond repare, until proven otherwise.
This summer, I started Joey on saw mantainance, strip down, saftey features and sharpening. The idea is to consolidate his learning. As in Hey Joey come here and run a file over this for me please its in need. The hope is this will make him a valuable team member capable of a tad more than grunt work and build confidence and an understandaing and respect for the tools. If he can cope with that, he will earn the respect he deserves. Perhaps all being well in the spring we can think about tipping over a few small stems with three basic techniques.
So I think as with all, be kind, be patient and remember they are only yours for a little while. Good luck.

 

[B_Strange]

So I think as with all, be kind, be patient and remember they are only yours for a little while. Good luck.

^This. Thanks for the reminder to be kind and patient. I too often forget that especially when it comes to my 17 yo.

 

[Jonny]

Good to read you again @rustykfd , thought ya left us.

Glad to hear everyone’s kiddos are coming along with this. There’s plenty of adults that scare the shit out of me when they get a chainsaw in their mitts. Usually comes with wide open throttle before the chain is even touching wood is definitely my least favorite sound, I’ll listen to nails on a chalkboard or Cher all day long before I gotta hear that painful racket.