The rules were the same in California in the early 50s, you just have to be smart enough to keep the "authorlities" and schools uninformed.
I started using power tools by the time I was 5 years old and went to work plastering for my dad when I was 14 durring vacations but I knew the rules and kept my mouth shut and of course never applied for their stupid permit which would have been denied because of the work I was doing.
When I was 12 the kid up the street and I worked on weekends rebuilding D-8 Cats for his father.
I also drove my first flathead rail at Santa Ana drag strip to 128 mph when I was 12.
The authorities can take their safety and stick it where the sun doesn't shine!
The harshest rule of gardens is that the weak demand all your work.
I started using power tools by the time I was 5 years old and went to work plastering for my dad when I was 14 durring vacations but I knew the rules and kept my mouth shut and of course never applied for their stupid permit which would have been denied because of the work I was doing.
When I was 12 the kid up the street and I worked on weekends rebuilding D-8 Cats for his father.
I also drove my first flathead rail at Santa Ana drag strip to 128 mph when I was 12.
This sounds like the America I used to know. I did much of the same and would allow my children to do so also. I would also use what I have learned to make them more safe, always use blocks and jackstands, (I didn't always) never work on an incline, never use gasoline to wash parts (I did) always use correct gloves, eye protection, and clothing ect.
We can't make everything perfectly safe, and kids need to learn to work and deal with risk maturely that's how they survive both as kids and adults.
This guy should take his kids off the high risk jobs and give them other work till they are 16 and trained and the state should take that and leave him alone.
Didn't take too long and I guess it was to be expected.
I was foolin' around with my father's power tools at around 10 or 12 ... (I'm 56 now) and I never hurt myself ... well, not as a kid ... only as an adult when I became a big-shot and knew more of everything than a kid does.
My 18 and 10 yr. old sons have picked up my tools on their own when I was around. I showed them how to hold, where to look, how to stand .. etc., and watched 'em go.
They do pretty OK.
Your attitude (and historic accuracy) regarding how our nation came to be so great is right on.
I'm with ya', dale.