Elementary woodwork for use in manual training classes

The object of this work is to place before pupils who are beginning woodwork such information as will lead to a correct use of the tools and lay a good foundation for advanced work without lessening in any way the other benefits of school shop work.

It is designed for elementary rather than technical instruction, and therefore many problems and suggestions found in other works have been omitted. Great care, however, has been taken to arrange and illustrate the exercises employed so that pupils will avoid the common error of using tools improperly in the first years of work, and thus escape fixing habits which later will cause much trouble. We are certain there is no need of using tools improperly in the first years of shop work.

The work is so arranged that each new lesson contains a step in advance, yet is so closely related to the previous exercise that an ordinary pupil may properly comprehend and execute the new problem.

This book is intended for class use, and the author has endeavored so to arrange and grade the exercises that they may be followed very closely. Where no preliminary exercises are made, and the pupils proceed at once to the construction of some complete object, the problems should be studied topically as the pupil has need of them. The complete index and the 'cross references found in the text will aid greatly in finding any desired instruction. The special information required by the instructor will be found in another volume.

If the methods of doing work given in the following pages are judged from the standpoint of first class practical workmen they will be found correct in every case. Where there is a choice of methods, the one which is considered best for the pupil's use is given. The lessons have been tested carefully with many pupils, and the various processes tested not only in the school room, but also in years of practical work among mechanics. The foundation principles involved are treated so thoroughly that no pupil, after completing the book, need fear to use these methods in any first-class shop. In shops where special methods are employed these lessons will be found to have given a broad basis on which to build any special line of mechanical work. Above all, these exercises will give a drill in system, careful forethought, and intelligent perseverance which will be of great value to any pupil, either boy or girl, and will well repay the effort, even though the pupil may never use such tools after leaving school.

Care must be taken to do the work thoroughly and earnestly in order to receive the full benefit of the course. Whenever possible, one hour and a half each day should be devoted to shop work.

These woodwork lessons take up the common tools in the order which the author has found to be best. They are so graded that the pupil should be able to execute each exercise in a satisfactory manner. The chief difficulties are carelessness and thoughtlessness. If the pupil reads carefully the entire text for each exercise before beginning it, and then re-reads the text, step by step in order, as the work progresses, he will find little difficulty in making proper progress

As each tool is taken up, the pupil should turn to part III and study carefully what is said about that particular tool; and each day, until the lessons are mastered, review what is said in regard to the use of the tools in the lessons and also the description of the tools in part III. Each new lesson depends very largely upon those preceding. Therefore, only by a constant review will the pupil get the greatest possible benefit from his study. Although the directions are quite explicit, an abundance of opportunity is left for individuality in work.

If proper care is taken there will be no necessity for giving any pupil a second piece of material for any exercise. This method is not only more logical, but more satisfactory to the pupils when they realize that it results in greater good to themselves. The author has many times had pupils, after a piece has been finished, voluntarily express great satisfaction at having been kept so long at the exercise, although considerable effort had been required to do so. It is conquering a difficult exercise that benefits the pupil and gives real interest in the work. The grade established on the first piece is apt to continue through the entire course. Pupils who conquer thoroughly the first difficulties, though perhaps at first dropping behind those more easily satisfied, are quite likely to work so much more rapidly later on that they will more than make up the loss of time on the first exercises.

These lessons will be found very useful when constructing complete articles. Where no model joints are made, the lessons should be studied topically, each exercise being taken up as it occurs in the article being constructed.

Personal Equipment

Each pupil must provide himself with a suitable apron, an oilstone, a pocket-knife, pocket-rule, pencil, clothes-brush, soap, and towel. Each of these articles must be plainly marked with the pupil's name. No pupil should be admitted to the class until he has his personal equipment and each article properly marked. These articles may be kept either in the bench drawer or in the locker. For description and suggestions in regard to the above articles, see Part III.

School Equipment

In addition to the personal equipment, each pupil is provided with such tools and materials as are required for the exercises. A part of these tools are used by all of the pupils who work at one bench, and are called the bench-set. They are not likely to be injured, and therefore may be kept in a drawer unlocked. They consist of hammer, backsaw, mallet, try-square, and tee bevel. Handsaws, rip-saws, large square, etc., are kept in the tool room and given out as required.

Regulations

Pupils should enter and leave the room in an orderly manner. Conversation during work hours is prohibited, as it is impossible for pupils to do their best work when there is conversation in the room.

Each pupil should have his own materials and tools as required, so that he may remain at his place during the recitation period. Every piece of material, including sandpaper, must be plainly marked by the pupil as soon as received. When the name is erased in working the piece, it should be placed on another part. When the work is completed, the name and date of completion should be plainly written on one end, or on some other convenient part of the work. So far as possible, the work should be kept in the bench drawer. Work which has to be left on the finishing table to dry will be cared for by the instructor.

Pieces of material left over that are large enough to be used for an exercise should be left on top of the bench or handed to the instructor. They should never be destroyed, mutilated, hidden, or thrown on the floor. At the close of each lesson the tools must be put in place. The bright parts which have been moistened by contact with the hands should be wiped with oily waste. Tools which require grinding may be reported to the instructor or left upon the bench. Each pupil must have a key to his own drawer, and will be held responsible for the tools, etc., which it contains. In case any tool or bit of material has been taken or tampered with during the absence of a pupil, it should be reported to the instructor as soon as discovered.

At the close of the recitation, each pupil must brush all shavings and dirt from his bench; and when cleaning the bench care must be taken that no dirt is thrown on to adjoining benches. The lavatories are for use, and every pupil should wash his hands and brush his clothes before going to another recitation. At the close of the year each pupil may remove the work he has completed by paying for the materials used, except such pieces as are needed in the school for exhibition.

For each exercise a sufficient amount of material will be given each pupil. This material will be sufficient to complete the exercise properly, and only in very extreme cases shall more material be given. In no case shall any credit be given for work done on extra material. The first piece given must be finished as well as possible, even though very incorrect or under size; and the record will be made up from this piece. Sandpaper should not be used on any exercise until that exercise has been passed upon by the instructor.

Notice

No cutting, or marking, or jamming of the benches will be tolerated. On discovery of any injury to the bench the pupil will be required to pay a fine or be suspended from the class. Broken handles or tools will be replaced at the pupil's expense.

The bench-hook and bench-board are to protect the bench from injury by saws, chisels, or other tools. Unnecessary cutting or injury to the bench hook or bench-board will be treated the same as injury to the bench.