Where can I find a good carpentry set

[mama2toomany]

For a almost 10 year old and a 7 year old.

I am not talking about pretend play. I am talking about something functional for my little carpenters. They are always supervised but they love making tables and chairs and stuff like that. They are actually really good at it.

I want to get them a tool bench set. But I cannot find anything for big kids... just play school, little tyke stuff.

any suggestions?

[mamamaris]

I have no idea about kid sized stuff. My dh and ds1 love to build together and we have just bought him real tools that he can use now and as he gets older. The smaller hammer (which I constantly steal b/c it's so much more comfortable to use than a huge one), heavy duty measuring tape, screwdrivers are what he has now.

I'd love to know if you do find something. That would be an incredible Christmas present.

[4evermom]

I think smaller adult tools are the way to go, as well. There is a lot more smaller stuff now that there are more women DIYs. Maybe you could find a sturdy table to use as a workbench and trim the legs down a little. I also worked at a pottery studio once that had a long, wide plywood box built to use as a step in front of a table to make the table a better height w/o lowering the table (which in this case couldn't be lowered due to a heating system beneath it). If you did that, then the step could be removed when the kids grew taller.

[marybethorama]

I've seen a few child-sized tool sets with real tools

but they're hard to find.

I second the idea of small tools. My ds has some.

You could make a bench of wood but how about a Black and Decker workmate? would that work for size? I'm trying to picture one in my head.

The nice thing about making your own is that you could put up a pegboard to hang tools.

or you could give them a real tool box.

I think I'd just buy them smaller tools and go from there.

[TiredX2]

We generally use smaller sized adult tools (like hammers for tacks instead of hte big ones, etc...). Esp for those ages (we started w/tools around 4-5) they will probably do well with mini-adult versions.

Toys R Us also carries a "Home Depot" line. Most of the stuff is plastic but you can get a "real tool kit" that comes with a tool box and the accessories (hammer, pliers, etc...).

I thought I saw some in the Hearthsong catalog, but I can't find them now. You might look somewhere like that as well.

Ooops, I just re-read your first post.

You're not really looking for tools, but the bench. I would look at Fred Meyers or Home Depot for one you assemble yourself. Most of them have adjustable legs (or the legs have different holes and you decide the height) so you could just make it shorter. If you have an IKEA nearby they have a lot of adjustable garage storage that would make an excellent tool bench. You might want to contact a nearby high school or community college w/a wordworking program for suggestions as well.

Good luck!

[Starr]

Check with a lumberyard. They probably wont have any on hand but they have catalogues from their suppliers, like Jeske, and can order one in.

[4Marmalade]

We found a set at Home Depot. They're real tools but smaller versions for little ones. I think they recommend ages 7+ but we're getting a set for our 4 year old ds. He loves building things with supervision. I saw a few on eBay one time so you could do a search.

[jennay]

I would like to get a set for my DS for Christmas

I am thinking about getting either this set from www.montessoriservices.comMontessori tools

or this set at set at Constructive playthingsTool Set

ETA - the link for the specific page at Constructive playthings didn't work. The item number is JAY-282L or search for tools and it's on the second page.

[mama2toomany]

My dh is a carpenter and when I asked him he said "just get the smaller tools lol" and of course I didn't listen to him!

I have asked him to make the workbench and get the tools... Smaller scale ones... he is now as we speak designing the tool bench.. I thought for sure he would rather I buy one because he is soo busy all the time, but he hasn't complained yet.. So When its all complete I will have him take some pictures of it!

[Flor]

Sounds montessori! Try this:

http://store.forsmallhands.com/cgi-b...gls?l=1&g=1500

[PiePie]

http://www.imadethat.com/ can make a table, a step stool, etc.

ETA: Too babyish for teh 10 y.o., probably.