Description and Objectives

• Basic Woodworking is an introduction in the use of basic hand and power tools and how to use them safely to construct a variety of projects.
• Students will learn about wood including the definition of and the difference between hard vs. soft, engineered vs. dimensional, grades and dimensions.
• In order to complete a project well a student must be able to visualize the finished product and see the steps it will take to reach it.  The same ability that is necessary on the athletic field, in the class room and in life.

Outline of Topics Covered

• The basic hand tools covered will be the measuring tape and several types of squares, saws, screw drivers and hammers.
• Students will need to add, subtract, multiply and divide with fractions and will learn to use scale.
• Power tools that will be covered include the table saw, sliding compound miter saw, jointer, planer, drill press, lathe and sanders.
• Students will learn the use of several different types of fasteners including nails, screws, glues and how to choose the best one.
• Some basic joinery may also be practiced such as mortise & tenon and lock miter joints.

Textbooks

• No text is required for this class.
• Students are advised to search for project ideas on woodworking and furniture websites and in magazines and catalogs.

Course Requirements

• Students will be required to complete two minor and one major project each semester.
• Projects will be chosen from a class list provided and those ideas supplied by each student.
• Students may work in pairs but they are not required to.
• Grading will be based on effort, class participation, attitude and on how accurately their project represents the drawing or model.

Successful Students

• The most important quality necessary to do well in this class is a positive attitude and the willingness to try again and again if necessary.
• This course could awaken in the student an interest in woodworking / cabinet making or convince him he never wants to do this type of work again, either way students will gain an appreciation for the effort and skill required in the production of furniture and cabinetry.