Beginning woodwork at home and in school

This book is intended as a definite statement of steps that may be followed by a beginner in learning the fundamental principles of woodworking. Instead of giving a general discussion of woodworking processes, the book describes and illustrates principles by means of specific examples. The experience gained in doing these problems should enable one to master a large number of others of which these stand as types.

It is believed that this method of treatment of the subject of woodworking will prove helpful in both school and home work.

Shop. Before beginning the work outlined in this book it will be necessary to have what we will call , a shop in which to do the work. This may be quite an elaborate building, but necessity demands only a few square feet of floor space for the work, and even if this be in the corner of a room used for some other purpose, it need not prevent the doing of excellent work. It is desirable that the shop be Well lighted and ventilated, and if it is possible to have light from only one direction, it is best to have it come from the left end of the bench.
 
Bench. A bench with a vise is necessary for supporting the work, and while it is possible to use a crude home-made bench and vise, a bench such as is used in manual-training shops (Fig. 1) is more desirable. These can now be purchased at a reasonable price, and with careful treatment will last a lifetime. When their permanent value is considered, the first cost is a wise investment. The bench should be fastened to the floor by two lag screws passing through the middle of the foot-pieces.
 
Vise. A good vise is a very important item: a cheap one, that might last under the careful treatment of an experienced workman, will not withstand the treatment of a beginner. A good rule to follow in using a vise is to see how loose a piece can be clamped and still be held in place. This method is better for both the vise and the work, as tight clamping may injure the vise and is also liable to mar the work. Vises are made of either wood or metal and consist of two jaws which are opened and closed by a wooden or iron screw, turned by a handle that passes through an eye in the outer end of the screw. A modern invention known as a rapid-acting vise, consists of the same essential parts, but by bringing the handle to a vertical position the outer jaw may be moved away from the inner jaw far enough to admit the piece which is to be held, and then, by turning the handle to the right, the outer jaw is moved toward the inner and the piece is fastened securely in the vise. It should be remembered that a vise is a machine, and therefore the metal parts that rub together should be lubricated occasionally with a little oil, or in case a vise with a wooden screw is used, a little melted beeswax rubbed on the screw will cause it to work more freely.
 
Tools. A good workman learns to feel toward and care for his tools as if they were his pets, and it should be the purpose of the beginner to give so much care to his tools that they will have no opportunity to drop from the bench or come in contact with metal objects, such as parts of the vise, bench stop, etc. Some offer as an objection to a metal vise that tools arc liable to become injured by coming in contact with it, but care on the part of the worker will prevent such an accident. A place should be provided for each tool and should be kept in that place when not in use. If tools are not to be used for a month or more, the bright steel surfaces should be coated with vaseline to prevent their rusting. When a tool becomes dull do not delay sharpening it, as more time is lost in using a dull tool than is required to sharpen it. The method used in sharpening chisels and plane irons is explained in the Appendix. A workman should acquire ability to keep these tools in good condition. The sharpening of saws is not considered within the province of this book, but do not work with a dull one; have it sharpened by someone who knows how. One more rule should be enforced and that is to have a barrel, box or bag in which to keep shavings, and to regularly clean up the shop.
 
A list of the tools necessary in doing the work outlined in this book may be found in the Appendix, page 97.
 
Material. One must work with each particular kind of lumber in order to acquire a knowledge of its qualities. For this reason, it is proposed to use six varieties of lumber in the problems described in this book. Each is especially suited to the problem in which it is used. Other kinds might be substituted, but not without sacrificing some of the advantages of the work. Lumber to be in good condition for working should be well seasoned; that is, a large part of the sap that was in the wood when the tree was standing should be removed.
 
Seasoned lumber will absorb moisture if kept in a damp place; therefore it is best to keep it in a dry place. If the entire amount listed in the Appendix (page 98) is purchased at one time, it is advisable to pile it in layers with an air space between the pieces and with adjacent layers extending at right angles to each other. If piled in the reverse order from the list given, each piece may be removed from the top of the pile as needed.
 
A box should be provided in which to keep nails, screws, etc., and at no time should they be left loose on the bench or in other places where tools might be brought in contact with them and thus become injured.
 
A list of the material necessary in carrying out the work outlined is given in the Appendix, page 98.