Grade 11 - Hand Tools

It is expected that students will:

Have students use hand tools to build small items (e.g., knick-knack shelf, spice rack) out of a softwood. The projects should involve the use of basic woodworking joints (including mitre, butt, half-lap, cross-lap, dado, and rabbet joints) and some boring and shaping details.
Provide students with seven to nine 1' x 1' x 10' strips of various species of woods. Have students use only hand tools to create the necessary face surfaces required to glue these strips into a panel. After the panel is glued together, have students:
- hand plane the panel to given thickness
  (e.g., 5/8')
- lay out a specified geometric shape into which the panel will be cut
- cut the panel
- hand plane the edges smooth
- prepare the surface using surface preparation tools
- sand and finish with a food-safe finish.
The panel can be used as a small serving tray.
Through a written or oral quiz, have students identify the basic wood joints, describe each joint type in terms of appropriate use, and describe how each joint is made.
Then give students the opportunity to construct basic woodworking joints.Using plane irons that have been ground too short for use in hand planes, have each student practise grinding a new edge and honing it sharp.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

For a given task or project, look for evidence that the student:
- selects the appropriate tool(s)
- inspects the tool's condition prior to use
- properly prepares the tool for use
- uses the tool safely and correctly.
When assessing the final product built using hand tools, begin by having students use a self-assessment sheet to gauge their understanding of the criteria by which the project will be assessed. Once the student self-assessment is complete, the teacher assessment will use the same criteria. When discussing with students the differences between the two assessments, have students determine where or how the project could be improved. The criteria may include:
- squareness of parts
- adherence to specified sizes
- use of proper joint construction procedure
- tightness of joints
- removal of all marks
- surfaces sanded properly
- application of finish
- thumbnail sketch of project
- general appearance.
Assess each student's ability to perform maintenance operations involving sharpening hand planes and chisels. As students grind and hone the plane iron and reassemble the hand plane, assess the extent to which the student:
- grinds the plane iron without burning
- hones the plane iron to a keen edge
- correctly adjusts the blade depth for cut thickness
- succeeds in having the plane cut easily and smoothly
- produces shavings that are uniform in thickness and width.

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES

Print Materials

Revised: December 2001