The tools at each workbench are:

• 7 oz. curved claw hammer
• hand drill, eggbeater style
• 3/8 inch center punch
• 4 inch scratch awl
• stubby Philips screwdriver
• corner mount woodworking vise
• 20 inch 11 tpi crosscut saw
• wooden mitre box
• 3 x 5 rubber sanders (2)
• tri-square
• surform shaper

                                        Brief description of techniques used:

To saw wood in a miter box…mark the wood with a pencil where you want to saw it, then:

• position the miter box over the front edge of the bench.
• line the wood up in front of the slot that’s going the direction you want to saw.
• protect the top of the wood with a shim.
• clamp the whole thing to the workbench with a “C” clamp.
• carefully place the crosscut saw in the miter box and cut the wood into two pieces.
• return the saw to it’s place. Take off the clamp and–if you are through sawing parts–put the tools away and sweep up the sawdust. Do not blow it–sweep it! Now put your wood in the vise and sand all the edges. .

To drill holes for screws and dowels (sticks)…

• mark the wood with a pencil, then with a center punch and hammer.
• put the wood in the vise with an underboard to protect the table.
• drill the hole (use a stopper on the drill bit).

To attach a propeller or wheel…drill a hole (follow directions above) in the piece you spin or turn .

• put your project in the vise.
• measure and mark with a pencil where you want the wheel or propeller to be and use the scratch awl and hammer to make a pilot hole for the threads of the screw (tap, tap, tap, wiggle in a circle).
• use a screwdriver to turn the screw in and put a washer between pieces of wood if you want to reduce friction.

To shape and sand wood…use the vise to hold larger pieces, sand the edges and corners with “coarse” paper then with “fine” sandpaper.

• when you sand small pieces, wheels, and dowels, hold the sander in one hand and the piece in the other.
• use the vise to hold the wood when you use a surform shaper and always keep both hands on the tool. NEVER hold the wood in your hand and scrape with a surform shaper.

To hammer nails safely…choose the right size nail.

• support under the edges of the flopping wood with shims or use the vise to hold the bottom piece.
• start the nail with a tap, tap, tap, then GET YOUR FINGERS BACK!

I have Rules and I have Guidelines. My rules are not flexible. They are meant to ensure safety. My “guidelines” are suggestions that are flexible depending on the child’s age and the task to be done.

Sheila Dawson