Tag: how to

Classroom Project, Home Makerspace, Maker Eduation, Maker Project, Scouting, Woodworking1 Comment

Home #Makerspace: Build a Pinewood Derby Car With #YoungMakers

woodshopcowboy

pinewood-derby-carEvery winter, millions of families prepare for serious bonding time at kitchen tables, in garages and in workshops across the country.  We enter with dreams of speed, beauty and glory.  With a little luck and skill, we leave with pride, joy and a completed Pinewood Derby Car.

Here’s how to generate that little bit of luck and skill for your family so you too can guide your young maker with confidence.

Too Much Weight!

The Pinewood Derby is a race between small gravity-powered model cars.  Each official Scouting kit contains a solid pine block, four nails and four plastic wheels but specialized kits are available online.  Official rules vary from organization to organization, and in Scouting, district to district.

This guide will show you how to support and help your young maker design, make and race their derby car.

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Classroom Project, Home Makerspace, Maker Eduation, Techniques, Tool Safety, Woodworking, Woodworking, Young WoodworkingLeave a comment

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

woodshopcowboy

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

This Week In the ShopLeave a comment

This Week in the Shop: Fixing the Couch

woodshopcowboy

My wife bought a beautiful used Craftsman couch for the new house.  Unfortunetely, the previous owner had two young boys.  Boys, as any parent knows, have an instinctual hatred of nice things.  My parents used to run around my house yelling “this is why we can’t have nice things” at random intervals throughout my childhood life.  Often, I would not actually be engaging in destructive behavior, but they thought judicious over-use of the saying would compel me into good behavior. I am now the father of two young boys.  I believe they didn’t yell that enough at me!  I got … Continue reading This Week in the Shop: Fixing the Couch

Classroom Project, This Week In the Shop, Tool Safety1 Comment

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

woodshopcowboy

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 the jump…

Continue reading “Student-Built Seesaw (He see-d, he saw-ed, he fell down)”