Tuesday, November 28, 2017

November 27-28

Students were introduced to the router table.

Students were encouraged to view Maucks.com concerning router table operations.

Students were reminded to use work instructions to help avoid mistakes.

Students began routing for box bottoms.

Students need to have passed the written test and demonstrations for:

Drill press/ Drill and Driver
Bandsaw
Planner
Table Saw
Chop Saw

The next new test will be on the router next week.


Tuesday, November 21, 2017

November 20 and 21st

Happy Thanksgiving!


In the shop most students have used the bandsaw to create the fingers of their box.

Many students have cut free the fingers and the slot.

Next week we will learn how to insert a bottom into the box, then we will use the table saw to cut a bottom to fit.

Students will begin fitting a lid to their box by the end of the week.

We got our main wood order this week.

Mr. Zartler gave a short lecture on kinds of wood.

Students should by the first week in December have passed their tests and demonstrations for:
Table Saw
Band Saw
Chop Saw
Drill Press and Hand Drill/ drier
Planner

Students should be studying the router and router table.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

November 14-15

Students are currently working through the following work-flow steps for their box.

These directions (like the work instructions for the five minute dovetail) should be in student notebooks). Add details and insights to these are you learn new lessons and refinements to procedures.


Work Instructions for Finger-Jointed Box

1) Mark boards for 1/3: only need one board; may use different dimenstions

2) Mark depth of fingers: use a shim to create "proud" fingers. Use the marking knife bevel down: be gentle!!!

3) Mark ALL faces of tenon boards with an S

4) Cut joints at the bandsaw; use shim on the tenon board.

5) Mark all the bits that get removed with Xs on ALL faces

6) Make a knife wall. Pay attention to keep the flat base of the chisel towards the wood to be kept when chiseling (it's the other way around when paring).

7) Remove waste with a saw being super careful NOT to cut the knife wall. (Leave some waste to be removed by the chisel.)

8) Use chisels to get exactly to the knife wall (or slightly undercut inside the knife walls).

Whoops!

Class has been busy working on finger jointed boxes for the past two weeks.

The box will be a finger jointed box very much like this one:

Students also teamed up as locker partners. Students have been issued a combination lock. Project pieces, hearing protection, and notebooks can be stored in the lockers in class.

Monday, October 30, 2017

October 27 and October 30

The class has milled up a huge pile of pieces for the finger jointed box.

Period 5 will be taking tests on Table Saw; Planner; Compound Miter Saw; Band Saw on Wednesday (students will be asked to take three tests from among those four).

Mr. Zartler will have entered tests and demos into Synergy before the end of the week.


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

23-26 October

Students began processing wood for our finger jointed boxes.

Students were given instruction in examining rough lumber for flaws, and laying out lumber for rough cuts to prepare for planning.

Students practiced and demonstrated use of the Compound Miter Saw / Chop saw to rough cut lumber for milling.

Students took notes on milling lumber.

Students who have passed the Bandsaw, Planner, Tablesaw, and Miter Saw tests and successfully demonstrated safe operating procedures took the lead in milling lumber for the finger jointed box project.

17-20 October

Classes focused on becoming acquainted with operation of the surface planer. Students will take the planer safety test next week.

Students also were given hands on practice with the planer and with the table saw.

Students were asked to check and update their safety test and demonstration pages with Mr. Zartler

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Thursday / Monday 13 and 16 October

Last class students learned how to use a Marking Knife / Striking Knife to help make more accurate joinery. The key to this is to use the knife to make a line where it is needed, and then use a chisel to carefully create a "knife wall" to use to register chisels.

Today, students will work in small groups to draw and illustrate in their notes the steps for this process.

Class will begin with viewing instructional videos on the planner. Students have a sheet with various illustrations to take notes on these processes with.

Planner Basics #1
Planner Percuations #2
Planner Operations #3

Students will begin the finger jointed box next week.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Monday / Tuesday October 9th and 10th

Students were shown how to use a marking knife / striking knife

 and a "knife wall" to create more accurate layout.

Students practiced this skill with dovetailing in preparation for working on the finger jointed box.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Wednesday / Thursday October 5th and 6th

Everyone is invited to see Mr. Zartler's (and some other even better woodworkers') latest work.


Students will work in small groups to practice for the table saw test.

Students will continue to finish tool holders.

Students who have passed written safety tests will be asked to demonstrate proper techniques on the bandsaw. (And thus help make dovetail practice material....)

Students will have a chance to have supervised practice on the planner. (And thus help make dovetail practice material....)

Students were offered this to read and discuss.

Table Saw test NEXT CLASS


Monday / Tuesday October 2nd and 3rd

Students were given instruction on the table saw.

We viewed and discussed three videos from Maucks.com on table saw safety . There were questions and answers and demonstrations.

Next class students will study in small groups. The table saw test will be Friday and Monday.

Most students had time to practice dovetailing. Woodworkers were asked to focus on paring: using the chisel to remove very thin slivers of wood in order to get a tight fit for gluing.

5th period had a lesson in measuring screws and pre-drilling pilot holes. On Thursday, fifth period will practice pilot hole drilling.

Friday, September 29, 2017

Friday September 29

5th Period devoted a lot of time to unpacking a very large tool order. Students identified the new tools and learned about their use.

Mr. Zartler showed students how the safety mechanism on the SawStop table saw works.

Students were asked to preview the table saw instruction on Maucks.com.

Wednesday / Thursday September 27-28

Class was focused on dovetail practice.
Tyla's Fine Five-Minute Dovetail





Students worked in groups at their bench to remember the steps and procedures (see previous post).



Then students had practice time.





Many fine dovetails were made!

How to make a 5 Minute Dovetail


Tuesday, September 26, 2017

GRADING POLICY

Mr. Zartler introduced a comprehensive grading policy for Wood Technology. It will be available as part of the syllabus when the syllabus is approved and posted.

Introduction to Wood Technology Grading Policy:

·       The Wood Technology Class is a Career and Technical Education class; students will be evaluated on appropriate Career Learning Standards http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/standards/crls/newerpg31acarrellearn.pdf . These standards include: Personal Management; Problem Solving; Communication; Employment Foundations; and Career Development.
·       As a production based class, participation, procedures and protocols are vital to student success and safety. Students will receive a daily grade based on implementing Career Learning Standards as measured by: regular attendance; application of skills and knowledge; collaboration and independent work; responsibility for the machines, tools, and physical space (including cleaning and organizing); and production of projects.
·       Producing excellent projects does not guarantee a high grade, and students who consistently follow best practices and procedures, but who are diligent in process and may earn an “A”.

Students MUST past safety tests and a safety check on each power tool or machine that they are to use in class. These safety tests are vital because they are a prerequisite for independent work in the class. Students may have multiple opportunities and multiple pathways to demonstrate their knowledge of safe procedures.

Grade Calculation:
·       Daily Career Related Standards: 70%
o   Each Student is eligible for 5 points each class period. Unexcused absences will result in 0 points for the missed class.
§  1 point – On time; prepared with appropriate materials; appropriate clothing and footwear.
§  4 points – Working independently and collaboratively; following shop rules and protocols for safety and material use; using time efficiently. These standards are similar to our Generals Lead Philosophy of Live to Learn; Engage with Purpose; Advocate for Self and Others; and Demonstrate with Passion.
·       Final Projects and Academic Work: 20%
o   Students are encouraged to keep a notebook.
o   Major projects will be evaluated for evidence of following and implementing the plan, and for knowledge of the properties of the materials used.
·       Safety Tests: 10%
o   All students MUST pass the safety test and demonstration for each tool or machine that they use in the shop. Students may pass the tests in a variety of form; please see the instructor for options when needed.
o    
Classroom/Rehearsal Rules and Expectations:
·       NO CELL PHONES for texting social media etc. Use for appropriate data retrieval, documentation, etc. is acceptable (infraction = loss of 1 daily point.)
·       Students will be on time, with a pencil, and in appropriate clothing for work.
·       Students will show respect for themselves and others in class at all times.
·       Students will exhibit positive and supportive behavior at all times.
·       Students will not bring food or drink into the classroom, except water.


Monday / Tuesday September 25 and 26

Students worked in class on learning to make a dovetail.

Classes watched a short video and had hands on practice.

The most important thing is:

 KEEP YOUR HANDS BEHIND 
THE SHARP END OF THE CHISEL


Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Back to School: Welcome



Welcome to one of Grant's newest offerings: 

Introduction to Wood Technologies 1/2

Yes, it's a fancy name for Wood Shop; Yes there is a reason: Career and Technical Education. Our program is (capitally) funded in large part through state and Federal dollars earmarked for classes that prepare students for "High Wage" and "High Demand" professions.


Jamie Zartler (26th year teaching; first teaching Woods) jzartler@pps.net extension x81455

Woods at Grant is a challenging course that will help students learn:

Personal Management
Problem Solving
Communication
Team Work
Employment Foundations and Career Development

These are the state's Career Related Learning Standards. These standards will be how your student is evaluated in this course.

I beg your forgiveness, but I haven't yet, completely worked out how I will translate these standards into grades. I expect to have a student-family friendly version worked out by the end of the week, and will use Synergy email to send a complete syllabus to all contacts.


Woodworking I and Advanced Woodworking and Construction, and GeoTech are classes designed to expose students to the high demand high wages jobs in Construction and Wood Manufacturing. Though many of the projects pursued are of traditional bench woodworking the goal is to fulfill the requirements of the Federal Perkins Funding that allows us to have this program. Students who complete two or more of the Woods classes will be asked to take a culminating assessment, and will be eligible for an appropriate cord at Graduation.


SAFETY

The first priority of the class is safety, however, there is inherent risk. I will do my best to teach your students to: be safe; to make good decisions; to ask for help when they need it. I ask for your help in encouraging them to be safe for themselves and others.

I am encouraging my students to make good use of Maucks.com to study machine and tool safety.


An essential safety skill is knowing one’s limits and assessing one’s ability to perform specific tasks. This includes recognizing when illness or other factors prevent one from operating machinery or hand tools safely. Students will not be penalized when then notify the instructor that they are not able to perform. It is assumed that these instances will be rare, and if they recur regularly may indicate a need to plan or problem solve with parents, counselors, or administrators.

Students are expected to use appropriate personal protective gear at all times. Closed toed shoes are required when working in the shop. Grant provides protective eyewear and a reasonable number of reusable ear protectors each year. 


MATERIALS

This year the materials for this course will be provided. While this may or may not continue to be the case we are very excited. Additionally the Landers-Bree Foundation made a very generous donation of lumber to start our program off this year, and Hardwood Industries provided a pallet of off sample, test, and practice wood.

Image result for stanley 151 spokeshaveIf your student requests money for wood they are doing so because they wish to make additional projects or to use more costly woods than the school is providing. This is, of course, voluntary.


The district, as well as private and public donors,  have provided a substantial tool inventory. While there are always things on a wish list, at this time we can do fine without additional tools. However, if you are a estate sale fiend and you happen to find some spoke shaves-- these would be welcome.


PROJECTS

Students will make a variety of projects this year. The first individual project will be a finger jointed box.










Students will make there own mallet out of beech.











Second semester students will make wooden toys to donate to those in need in collaboration with the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers.


Second semester projects will include a small table; and a dovetailed box or small cabinet.

VOLUNTEERING

If you have a specialty you'd like to share with Grant's Founding Woodworkers ....

If you have a truck, and you'd like to occasionally pick up some lumber for us ...

If you can sharpen a western style saw ...

Please let me know: jzartler@pps.net