Introduction to Woodworking Techniques

 

Course prerequisites: Wood Shop Saftey Cerification

 

Instructor: Nao Matsumoto

 

 

 

Course description and Goals:

The aim of this class is to familiarize students with common woodworking machinery and to explore the possibility of basic wood fabrication using wood and engineered wood products s the main medium.

 

Students are introduced to an array of woodworking and related fabrication techniques and processes. The use of hand, power and machine tools is taught through lectures, demonstrations and hands-on experience. Topics include basic woodworking techniques, safety procedures, wood identification, joinery, construction methods, shaping, turning, and finishing. Assigned and independent projects allow exploration while applying specific processes and techniques. Whether functional or sculptural, the goal of this course is to give students the knowledge to conceive and realize ideas in wood.

 

The Progression of this course is driven by accumulating knowledge about the Basic Operation of Woodworking Machinery and Techniques. To begin, students will participate in a Mandatory Wood Shop Certification. Thereafter, weekly lectures and demonstrations will prepare you for assignments that build upon your accumulated knowledge. By the end of the term demonstrations and assignments will “leapfrog” over one another to create a complex array of new information. For this reason consistent class attendance is EXTREMELY important (see “Requirements”).

 

Since technical accomplishment is the primary goal of this course, the assignments are very specific. Your enthusiasm to come up with individual and innovative solutions to these problems will be important to your success in this class.

 

This course assumes that all students do not have prior woodshop experience. With that in mind, shop safety WILL BE STRESSED.

 

 

 

 

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT SAFETY COMES FIRST!!

 

 

 

COURSE CALENDAR:

 

WEEK 1: Introduction to the Course, Safety Regulations and Shop Certification.

            -Presentation of works by former classes

            -Explanation on quality and aesthetic forms.

            -Introduction to the Wood Shop

            -Introduction to Wood

                        -The Nature of Wood

                        -Characteristics of Wood

                        -Different types of Wood

Demonstration: Dressing Lumber

Using the Jointer and the Planer / Attaining a “True” and “Square” surface / Preparing Lumber Demonstration: Accurate cross cutting on the chop saw with out splintering.

Assignment: Bring all required equipment for the class and dress the lumber provided to the specifications. (Read also: Assignment # 1)

 

WEEK 2: The Drill Press -Its Functions and Operation

            -Drill bits -purposes and characteristics

Demonstration: Effectively utilizing the Drill Press for Boring Operations

            -Techniques in assuring an accurate bore.

            -Sequential and pattern boring/ attaining an aesthetically pleasing form

            -Jigs to aid the operation

Quick Demonstration: How to make a fence using a Biscuit Jointer

            (The Biscuit Jointer will be revisited in detail later in the semester)

Assignment: Create a sculptural form by boring out material from the cubes.

(Read also: Assignment #2) AND: Make a Fence and a simple Jig to hold the work piece.

 

 

WEEK 3: The Band Saw - Its Function and Operation -Capabilities of the Machine

Demonstration: Effectively utilizing the Band Saw for cutting operations

            -Techniques in attaining an accurate cut.

            -Sequential and pattern cutting

            -Jigs to aid the operation

Assignment: Create a sculptural form by cutting out material from the cubes. (Assignment #2 +)

Assignment: Create a sculptural form by combining the cutting and boring operations, using two machines in a sequence to attain a pattern.

Assignment: Prepare the left over stock for turning. Cut an octagonal block with the band saw.

 

 

WEEK 4:  Group Critique on the modified cubes. (Assignment #2 +)

Demonstration: Cutting accurately- making an accurate template to reproduce the same cuts.

            -from a computer generated drawing to a MDF template

Lecture: Wood Products and engineered lumber

            -The evolution of wood products

            -Maximizing resources / environmental pressures on woodworking 

 

Assignment: Cut out an accurate template of a letter out of MDF. Use a vector base drafting. (Read also: Assignment # 3)

 

WEEK 5:  Overview of the Router Table / Overview of the Lathe

Router Table -Its function and operation & the different router bits

Demonstration: Template Routing

-Using the template prepared for the last assignment, a variety of materials are cut out repeatedly by using the router table and the flush trim bit.

Assignment: Cut three letters out of: 1. MDF, 2.Plywood, and 3. Acrylics (Assignment # 3 +)

 

Lathe: Its function and operation

            -Preparing the stock

            -Preparing the turning chisels

Demonstration: Spindle turning between centers on the small lathe

Assignment: Turn a spindle on the lathe. (Read also: Assignment #4)

 

WEEK 6: The Theory and Mechanism of Cutting - Glues & Gluing Techniques 

Demonstration: Chisels, saws and planes.

            -Sharp blade vs. Dull blade

                        -Sharpening a blade

                                    -Overview on sharpening methods and stones.

Lecture: Overview of glues and gluing techniques

            -The variety of glues for different applications

            -Clamping techniques

Lecture:  A look to next WEEK: Introduction to Joinery

            -An overview of different joinery techniques

Demonstration: The Biscuit Jointer (Revolutionary tool in woodworking)

            -Different uses of the Biscuit Jointer

Assignment: Properly sharpen a chisel using water stones.

 

WEEK 7: TABLE SAW OVERVIEW

Students will be exposed to the use of the table saw. The Table saw is the most used machine in the shop. HOWEVER, improper usage can lead to an accident. A demonstration by the instructor will be performed during class.

Assignment: The Seamless Box

A seamless box is created by each student using the table saw and the associated jigs for this project.  The box consists of six plywood panels joined seamlessly at the corners using a miter joint. A splined miter is used to strengthen the box adding characteristics and a design element.

 

Week 8  : Jigs and Controlled Cuts

Lecture: The Theory of Jig Making and Its Purposes

Demonstration: Review -The effectiveness of Jig Making in the fabrication process

A variety jigs and fixtures are shown and demonstrated. 

Assignment: Modify your lathe-turned spindle by setting up an indexing jig.

 

WEEK 9: Theory and practice of Joinery

Lecture: Overview of different joinery in woodworking

Demonstration: The Mortise and Tenon Joinery

Assignment: Cut and mortise and tenon joint using hand tools only – using the chisel that you sharpened last week

 

WEEK 10: Further Modifications : The Overarm Router

 

Demonstration: Using the Overarm Router

            -The process of indexing by making a simple jig

            -Routing and modifying the spindle into a sculptural form

Assignment: Modify your turned spindle using the Overarm Router and the indexing process.

 

WEEK 11: Laminated Bowl Turning

Lecture: Lamination techniques in woodworking

Demonstration: Plywood Laminating, Veneer Laminating

 

Lecture: Overview of the Large Lathe

Demonstration: Turning a bowl from a laminated blank.

Assignment: Lamination of plywood and veneer.

 

WEEK 12: Template Routing and Epoxy Resin Inlay

Lecture: Setting up a template for pattern routing.

Demonstration: Using the Overarm Router effectively

Assignment: Template route a plank of poplar and pour pigmented epoxy resin (Notes will be given in class)

 

WEEK 14 Finishing Wood

Lecture : Sanding,Staining, Sealing, Polishing: The Step by Step of Wood Finishing

Demonstration: Applying different types of wood finishes.

 

 

WEEK 15: GROUP CRITIQUE and Studio Clean Out

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 

1. A Material FEE of $60 will be collected at the beginning of the semester.

            (All materials for this class will be provided)

 

2.  ALL students MUST ATTEND the first week of class for Shop Certification, OR attend the identical Shop Certification session during the first week of class. ALL students MUST be certified to proceed in the class.  Non- compliance will result in immediate failure of this course.

 

3. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to attend all class sessions. Valuable information and demonstration will not be repeated.  Unless there is a family tragety,  emergency health conditions, absence will not be tolerated.  Pratt Insttute policy states , missing 3 or more classes is considered a failure.

 

4. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to take notes during class.

 

5. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to complete ALL assignments.

Incomplete assignments will become a drastic grade deficit.

 

6.  Tools for the class that you are expected to provide:

- All Safety equipment discussed in Shop Safety Orientation

- Notebooks , writing utensils, mechanical pencil

- Tape measures, combination square

- Utility knife

 

GRADUATE STUDENTS MUST MEET WITH THE INSTRUCTOR to discuss the “DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY REQUIREMENT” you have in this course as an MFA candidate.

 

 

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Please see Shop Certification  & Attendance Requirements above with regard to immediate failure.

Grades will be determined primarily by the instructor’s evaluation of: enthusiasm, finish quality and the creative capacities of fabrication methods.

The final grade will be based on:

75 %             successful completion and final quality of all assignments

25 %             efficient use of in-class workshops

25%            Attendance, including prompt arrival and sustained attention during demonstrations

 

Grades:                                               

A 4.0            Excellent                                   

A- 3.7             Very Good                                               

B+ 3.3             Good           

B 3.0             Above Average                       

B- 2.7   Average

C+ 2.3             Fair

C 2.0             Pass

C-             (ug only) 1.7 Recorded as F for Graduate Students, Accepted for Undergraduates Only

D+             (ug only) 1.3 Recorded as F for Graduate Students, Accepted for Undergraduates Only

D            (ug only) 1.0 Recorded as F for Graduate Students, Accepted for Undergraduates Only

F 0.0             Failure