RULER

Rulers are used for measuring short distances in either Metric (mm, cm ect.) or Imperial (inches, feet, yards). The only unit of measure in Design & Tech room is the inch do to the fact that it's still widely used today in the industry

TAPE MEASURE

Tape measures are flexible steel rulers rolled up into a cylinder. They measure longer distances than rulers but do not work well for drawing straight lines.

PENCIL

Pencils are the only marking utensils to be used in the D & T room, because they are erasable and they make lines that are the thickness of blades used to cut.

SQUARE

Try Squares are used to check corners and surfaces to see if they are square (90º). For testing, hold the work up to the light, put the material you are working with against the true face, and slide the material down until the blade touches the edge being tested. (refer to demo in class) If no light shows under the blade, the work is square. Combination Squares are used like a try square but have an adjustable blade (ruler). They will measure square (90º) and miter angles (45º). T Squares measure square (90º) angles.

BENCH VICE

The vice is fixed to the bench (wood top of table) so that the top of the wooden jaw facing is level with the bench top, and is used for holding work.

HAND DRILL

The Hand Drill is used to rotate twist drills up to 80 mm diameter. The side handle can be unscrewed to allow the drill to work close against obstructions. The chuck has three self centering jaws to grip the round shanks of twist drills. When the chuck casing is unscrewed the jaws spring back and allow the shank of the drill bit to enter. When the chuck casing is screwed back up, the jaws close and grip the drill.

PLIERS

These are mainly used to grip small items. Combination pliers are also used to cut wire.

WRENCH

These are used to grip and turn pipes or round bars. It Increases the tension on nuts and bolts

CLAMP

Jorgenson clamps are wooden clamps used to hold parts together while marking out, shaping and drilling. The clamp is tightened with the centre screw until the jaws are parallel and grip the work lightly. A firm grip is then obtained by tightening the outer screw. C clamps are used to hold work down onto the saw bench and work table when drilling or to clamp small pieces of glued wood together. Protect your work with scrap wood when using a metal clamp. Spring clamps can be used to gently hold together jink wood when glued.

HAMMER

To use, grip the shaft near the end and watch the nail, not the hammer. After a few taps to start the nail, take larger swings from the elbow without bending the wrist. Hit the nail with the hammer head square to it.

MALLET (wood, rubber)

Wooden and rubber Mallets are used for shaping sheet metal without damaging the surface. The faces can be shaped for special jobs. They can be used gently on plastics.

SCREW DRIVER

There are many different types, it is important to keep the blades ground accurately to shape and to use the one which fits the screw exactly.

HACK SAW

Hacksaws are used for straight cuts. The blade is held in tension in the frame with the teeth facing forward.

COPING SAW

Coping saws are used for cutting intricate and curved cuts in wood (and plastic). The teeth of the blade are small and point towards the handle, which means the coping saw cuts on the pull stroke.

BACK SAW

Backsaws are for accurate straight cuts in small pieces of wood. The back of the saw has a limit to the depth of cut.

HAND SAW

Hand saws are used for straight cuts in large pieces of wood.

MITRE SAW (Box)

This is used to cut wood at 45 º accurately. The 90 º cut in the centre is for squaring wood accurately. Fix the Miter Box firmly into the vice (above the top of the vice) to use.

GLUE GUN

Glue guns dispense HOT glue and should be used with heat resistant gloves and extreme caution. Hot glue is used to hold jink wood together. Should an accident occur inform the teacher immediately, remove the glue and immerse the area under cold running water.