Category Archives: Tool Safety

Home #Makerspace: How to Saw (for Young and Beginning #Woodworkers)

I use Japanese-style saws exclusively in my classroom and home shop because I have young makers.  I love the quick bite and accuracy of a pull stroke, the low cost and high quality, but mostly, enjoy handing my saw to young apprentices and watch them succeed, no matter what their size, shape or need mightContinue reading “Home #Makerspace: How to Saw (for Young and Beginning #Woodworkers)”

Tool Primer: How to Select and Use a Router

The router can do an incredible number of tasks: cut grooves and dados, used with guides to make parts, do complex or simple joinery and create edge treatments for wood. The router can be mounted on a bench or table top or it can be manipulated by hand. The router is the single most versatile tool in the woodworker’s power tool box.

Making a Makerspace: What Do We Make Here? Some Capabilities and Tools for Your Educational Makerspace

This is Part 3 in my Making a Makerspace series.  If this interests you, catch parts one and two. A makerspace is a space for a group of interesting and creative people to make something.  Makerspaces differ from traditional constructional spaces in schools such as woodshops, auto mechanics shops, tech labs, etc because making bringsContinue reading “Making a Makerspace: What Do We Make Here? Some Capabilities and Tools for Your Educational Makerspace”

Teacher Tip: First Aid Kit & Safety Equipment

I live a blessed life.  In the past eight quarters as a woodshop teacher (and going on one quarter as a chemistry/biology/mad science teacher) I have had four injury reports.  Not the best record, but not the worst.  During set-up this year, I ordered first aid kit for all the tool-heavy classrooms – gardening center,Continue reading “Teacher Tip: First Aid Kit & Safety Equipment”

This Week in the Shop: Fixing a Broken Jet Table Saw Fence

In the classroom, I stress safety at all times.  After a few incidents my first year as a woodworking teacher, I changed the way I teach sawing.  This year, as I’m teaching brand-new students to woodworking, I’m starting from scratch.  At home, I apply the same principle.  This blog post, though, revolves around a factContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Fixing a Broken Jet Table Saw Fence”

Parenting: On Making Kids Who Make Stuff

1. Determine your child’s level of interest. A child who’s fascinated by tools or electrical equipment typically demonstrates an almost obsessive interest in them, pays attention, takes direction well, and instinctively focuses on the job at hand. I’ve taught soldering to children as young as eight, and their ability to concentrate is astonishing. If you’re aContinue reading “Parenting: On Making Kids Who Make Stuff”

This Week in the Shop: Plywood Storage & Lights & New Workbench

Since I moved into my new digs in April, my shop has undergone a number of changes.  I blogged about the move-in and of course I went and changed it immediately. First, a couple bright spots.  Not long after I unloaded everything I realized two very important things about home ownership.  One, you can putContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Plywood Storage & Lights & New Workbench”

Student-Built Seesaw (He see-d, he saw-ed, he fell down)

Yesterday, we completed a physics demonstration: The adjustable see-saw.  This seesaw has holes drilled into the balancing beam, allowing students/users to experiment with the capabilities of numerous levers.  You just shift its position along the beam and viola!  Instantly, a foolish grin hits your face as you try to balance anew. More pictures after theContinue reading “Student-Built Seesaw (He see-d, he saw-ed, he fell down)”