I think it is possible that piece was so rusted out that it was going to break no matter who got their mitts on it. But he just doesn't know when to stop. And yes he is strong for a 5 year old. I kept telling him we would let time out help that bad boy turn another day. I'm not sure he understands that he broke it. But when we don't do any more on it I guess he will get the picture. Maybe at some point he will understand that you have to rock them gently when they are stuck. In this ones case it was the bobbin area really rusted out. Little parts went flying... Usually there is enough dried up oil to kind of protect and once the oil gets a touch of oil it frees things up a bit. This one the rust held the parts enough to break something else. Looking at it now there is so much rust I'm not sure it was going to work anyway. I have 3 other old White Rotary machines but none for parts... I love the way the White machines move - they seem better made than the Singers for some reason.