Wood is unlike most building materials because it has has a directional structure (grain)
In this task you will find out about the structure of natural wood, and how it affects it's strength and working qualities. You will also find out about manufactured sheet materials like plywood and MDF
TASK STANDARDS
To achieve a pass on this task you need to demonstrate:
That you understand how grain structure affects the working quality of timber
That you can select the right timber or sheet materials for basic woodworking tasks
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW
FIRST, watch the video to familiarise yourself with the basic principles of timber grain structure
NEXT, carry out the tasks in the STEP BY STEP GUIDE
TALK TO YOUR TUTOR ABOUT...
How would this exercise help you when you are doing these activities?
Reducing an internal door to fit over carpets
Adjusting a warped timber window to fit its frame
Cutting a plywood panel to size
Once you have completed your practical task you need to discuss your results with your tutor and complete some sign off documents, your tutor will show you how to do this.
Take a suitable section of timber and plane along the grain, how easy it is to plane? what finish did you achieve?
Plane the same timber across the grain, how easy it is to plane? what finish did you achieve?
Plane across the end grain, what happens and why?
With your tutor, investigate ways to reduce speltching
Saw timber across the grain and along the grain
Discuss your results with your tutor
Take scraps of plywood, mdf, and chipboard and repeat the steps above
Discuss your results with your tutor
As a group...
Discuss what you have learned
Talk about ways you can use what you have learned in the workshops