In my Applied Mathematics class, woodshop has put the shop in applied. During a unit on fractions, I asked students to build a number of these try squares, all different shapes and sizes. In order to assess my students ability to read a ruler and calculate fractions, I made all the dimensions wonky. No 8″Continue reading “Classroom Project: Try Squares”
Tag Archives: basic skills
This Week in the Shop: Mirror, Mirror
I swear the conversation went like this: Wife: “What dress should I wear?” Me: “I don’t know, you look great in anything.” Wife: “This dress? What about this one?” Me: “I don’t know if you’ve been watching me, but I haven’t taken my eyes off you in forty minutes.” Wife: “I need a full lengthContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Mirror, Mirror”
Community Watch: Build A Box!
Eight students, six boxes built and finished. It was a long day in the shop – nearly seven hours with only a few breaks for liquids. I can think of a number of great moments: the first box getting nailed together, the last coat of shellac being applied, the look of what-have-I-got-myself-into as the students tackledContinue reading “Community Watch: Build A Box!”
Community Watch: It’s Build a Box Day!
Today at TX/RX Labs, I’ll be leading a class in building a few of these tea boxes. I’m sending a box to one random contestant on WoodshopCowboy Facebook page, just in time for Christmas. Remember to like WoodshopCowboy on Facebook! And remember: Make it safe & keep the rubber side down this weekend.
This Week In the Shop: One Block Projects – Book Ends
A little while ago, I ran a book review on One Block of Wood. I recently made a pair of bookends using Ms. Tolstrup’s plans out of salvaged pine and live oak. Hope you enjoy the looksee. Read a good book this week. Especially books on pirates! Make it safe & keep the rubberside down.
This Week in the Classroom: Try Squares
My new “little” project obsession: try squares. These guys mark boards square. That’s it. All they do. The try, not tri, comes from the act of “trying” an angle to see if it’s square, not three, or tri. This slideshow punctuated by a few of my favorite song titles, puns and lyrics in noContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Try Squares”
Come Build the Simple Tea Box @ TX/RX Labs Dec. 1st
The good folks at TX/RX Labs invited me back for another weekend of teaching woodworking. This year, I’ve asked to build some Christmas gifts. We are building the Simple Tea Box – and I’m sending one to the winner of my “First to 30” likes raffle on WoodshopCowboy’s Facebook Page. So like WoodshopCowboy on Facebook,Continue reading “Come Build the Simple Tea Box @ TX/RX Labs Dec. 1st”
Tool Primer: How to Select and Use Power Drills
The first power tool I probably ever used (and owned) was a power drill. The lowly power drill can do a whole lot of things if you know how to use it. A power drill can strip paint, drill big holes, little holes, create dowel joints, sand curves and screw stuff together. It makes pocketContinue reading “Tool Primer: How to Select and Use Power Drills”
Woodworking Plans: The Kid’s Bed Frame
Last year, I posted a quick project: The Bed Frame. It has since become the most searched for post on this website, garnering a little over a thousand views with no publicity. People like to build beds. It’s taken a while, but I’ve put together a small PDF which outlines how I make my simpleContinue reading “Woodworking Plans: The Kid’s Bed Frame”
This Week in the Shop: Kid’s Play Table
The finished play table I first blogged about last Friday. If you look close you can see some screw holes on the top. I used short 1″ #8 wood screws to get everything together…but when I put the pieces together, I found the fit snug enough that I didn’t need the screws. I’ve included anContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: Kid’s Play Table”
WSC Designs 