Welcome to “Shop Talk” with Mr. Green
Wood shop is a hands-on learning experience. The information on this page is meant to help students review and be introduced to working in the woodshop with machines and tools!
Woodwork class is all about building confidence while experiencing new skills in the creation of a wood project. Safety and good instruction will help to build this confidence and encourage the learner to become a life-time hobbyist with woodwork!
The “Art of Sanding” begins with the appreciation of how sandpaper is manufactured. Please watch this short YouTube video:
Generally, woodworkers spend 25% of their time and energy sanding. There are no shortcuts to hand sanding if you want a beautiful smooth finished project. Please watch Mr. Green’s video Part 1 from his garage woodwork shop:
Now watch a short video on deciduous and coniferous trees:
Now the exciting part! Please watch Mr. Green’s step by step video showing the proper techniques of hand sanding:
What is a Tree's least favourite month?
SepTIMBER! Hahahahah!
Until next time... Stay Safe!
In the last episode I demonstrated steps of hand sanding and finishing which is the beginning of a beautiful finished product.
Now your wood is smooth with no marks and ready for an oil or stain finish. Please watch this short video starring Mr. Green:
1. If using a rag (usually with oil finish), when you have completed your work, spread edges of rag flat to allow proper evaporation of the product. At the end of the class, place it in the red firebox container located near wash station.
2. If using a brush (usually with hard finish i.e. lacquer) put the brush in proper can holder and Mr. Green will clean it end of class.
3. Wear goggles and shop apron to protect yourself from splashes.
4. Area needs to be cleaned for next student and have Mr. Green check the area.
5. Wash hands in sink with soap and water!
6. Reminder: never wash rags or brushes in the sink
How does Mr. Green identify types of trees?
Answer: by their bark
Until next time, stay safe!
The following video is a quick introduction to hand tools.
You need to know these by their name, when and where to use them.
Please see Mr. Green’s following youtube video:
What is the scariest wood to use?
Answer: Petrified wood!
Until next time stay safe!
Last fall, Rockheights received 4 new scroll saws. This is a great introductory saw. Their reciprocal cutting action makes them a safer machine than the bandsaw. All levels of students have felt comfortable with operating the scroll saw.
PART 1: This is a “beginner” grade 6 video but good review for grade 7’s and 8’s
These are “advanced” skills with scroll saws for grades 7’s and 8‘s (if interested grade 6’s can watch as well) This is a must see for students who want to shape/cut intricate designs in wood.
Example: Grade 7’s will use these techniques with their aeroplane or gumball machine parts. Grade 8’s will cut out internal stars or animal shapes on the upright of their table top book holder project.
The scroll saw is an awesome, versatile machine that is very popular with students and hobbyists.
See you all next time on “Shop Talk” when the “Drill press” will be introduced. Guaranteed it won’t be “boring” (get it?)
Keep safe! Mr. Green
Welcome back to “Shop Talk”. This series is explaining how to operate a drill press safely, while learning to drill a number of varying hole sizes.
The standard wood shop list of safety rules with all machines need to be kept in mind, here is a reminder:
· Wear safety goggles
· No loose or baggy clothing or hanging jewelry or scarves
· No horse- play
· Long hair must be tied back
· Be aware of keeping safe distance between your hands and the machine cutting tools
· Use push stick and guards when necessary
There are two procedures that are emphasized in the video that must be remembered to maintain your safety when using a drill press:
1. Make sure the chuck key is in your right hand before turning on the machine. Note: grade 6’s are not expected to insert drill bits into the chuck (instructor will do it)
2. Clamping down the wood to the table so the wood will not move. The drill bit could break or the wood could bind and fly off the table causing serious injury.
Regardless of grade, all students need to review the demonstrations in video #1.
Now please watch video #1 below.
There are three significant lessons with the 2nd half of the video that demonstrate more safety when drilling holes:
· First lesson demonstrates how to properly insert a drill bit into a chuck, Grade 7’s & 8’s on Day One of woodwork will receive this same lesson by Mr. Green. (grade 6’s are encouraged to watch as well)
· The second lesson is on using a “Jorgenson Clamp “to secure small pieces of wood. This will keep user’s fingers away from the turning bit! (all grades)
· The final lesson is using a “Cradle Jig” to drill holes accurately and safely in a dowel. This skill will allow users to drill holes in round stock (this skill is intended for grade 7’s and 8’s but grade 6’s are encouraged to watch as well)
Now let’s watch the 2nd video:
The information from these 2 drill press video’s will help build confidence and ultimate success in operating a drill press as you construct your woodwork projects.
How do Rockheight’s students get online?
Answer: They just “log” on. HAHAHAHAHA! HEHEHEHE!
Now please lease listen to this audio from Mr. Green:
Today in “Shop-Talk”, I will introduce the vertical belt sander and it’s attached side-kick the disk sander.
The video below demonstrates operations and techniques to smooth or create convex edges or flat surfaces. Rockheights has three sanding machines that are shown in the video.
With any woodworking machine, general shop safety rules must be remembered and these have been discussed in previous sessions. The belt and disk sander have unique safety concerns:
Disk Sander:
· Use only the left side or downward motion of the counter-clock wise turning disc.
· No long face edge material is allowed to be sanded.
Belt Sander:
· Keep wood flat on the table top and hold the stock firmly with two hands.
· Keep proper distance from other workers.
Both machines:
· Do NOT use wood stock smaller than 8 mm thickness by 25 mm length by 25 mm width.
· Remember on/off switch turns on/off both machines.
· Always tie hair back and wear goggles.
Now let’s watch the video on the belt/disk sander…
What type of tree fits in your hand?
Answer: A PALM TREE!!
The 3rd major electric sander in the Rockheight’s shop is the very popular oscillating spindle sander.
This machine has two major roles:
1. Concave angle designs
2. Defining edges of drilled holes.
The oscillating and turning action of the “sandpaper cylinder” sands in a circular and up/down motion. This double motion erases machine marks that are left on edges.
If you use a non-oscillating spindle sander then scarring machine marks will appear on the edges and can be difficult and time consuming to sand by hand.
Now let’s watch Mr. Green’s video on the oscillating spindle sander:
Future episode #4 will focus on portable hand machines that are used in the Rockheight’s woodwork program.
Until next “Shop Talk”…
Think Green!
COLLAGE: A combination or collection of various things.
The following pictures are woodwork projects from Mr. Green’s classes grades 6, 7 and 8. These will give upcoming grade 5’s and idea of what exploratory woodwork looks like. It will be a reminder for current grade 6 and 7’s for next year.
...will use hand tools, drill press, sanding machines and a scroll saw to construct their projects. But, before turning on the power, each grade level is required to complete a “Safety Pamphlet”, and a final test (all errors must be corrected before moving on to their project).
**Note:** Both grades 7 and 8 are assigned an introductory project that reviews the skills learned in previous grades.
...are introducted to 3 new machines and the safety concerns with them: Band saw, Miter saw and Ripping procedure on the table saw.
...will use all machines. New machine experiences will be with the Thickness planer, Jointer, Router (table) and using a “shooting board” for cross cutting wood on the table saw (and the usual safety concerns with them).
How did Mr. Douglas Fir Tree get lost when walking to Rockheights school?
Answer: Mr. Douglas Fir Tree took the wrong root ! 😊 hahahaha
The following video is a short reminder to look after your pencil. Do not tap, drop or throw pencils or the graphite inside the pencil will break and you will have difficulty sharpening the pencil.
Let’s watch the short video:
I'm off to have coffee & a snack!
Until next time: STAY SAFE!
- Mr. Green
Moving forward, the following episodes are tailored for the grade 7/8 level.
This episode contains discussion on 2 machines: the router table and the band saw.
Our Router table at Rockheights is used for edge design and dado’s. The following video will highlight:
· Safety concerns
· Proper techniques
· Variety of router uses
Please watch the following youtube video on the router table:
The next video discusses the band saw. It operates similar to the band saw at Rockheights. The band saw is a versatile and intricate machine which many students enjoy using. At home, my top three machine purchases have been:
1. Band saw
2. Grinder
3. Mitre saw
Please watch the following youtube video on the band saw:
Question: What type of pencil did Shakespeare write with?
Answer: 2B! hahahahaha!
Until next time: stay safe!
This episode has 3 short videos on the following:
1. Mitre saw (90 and 45 degree angles)
2. How to make rip cuts with table saw
3. Table saw cross cuts
Please watch Mr. Green’s following youtube video on the Mitre saw:
And now, please watch the youtube video on how to make rip cuts with table saw:
Finally, please watch the youtube video, again using the table saw.
This is on how to make cross cuts.
Last but not least, the woodwork joke of the week:
Question: Why do trees hate riddles?
Answer: Because it’s too easy to get stumped!
TAKE CARE UNTIL NEXT TIME!
There are two recordings to watch for advanced woodworkers:
1. Jointer: planing a face edge and face side.
Please watch the following YouTube video but STOP at 1 minute 20 seconds.
2. Thickness Planer: planing wood to a parallel thickness.
Please watch the following YouTube video in its entirety.
We have now come to the end of our Shop Talk episodes.
I must say that creating these have been quite a learning experience for myself at age 66! I was fortunate enough to have colleagues and family members with amazing skills that provided ongoing support with this project. I would like to thank the following:
Ms. Trofimuk (Principal of Rockheights)
Annie Armstrong (teacher)
Eilidh Morrice-Ashdown and her side-kick Kurtis Green🐾
Natalie and her side-kick Nova Bean Green🐾
“The intention of shop talk was to provide light hearted woodshop videos for Students at Rockheights and to help take their minds of COVID 19 and assure them that Mr. Green was thinking about and missing his students.”
Please enjoy the following silly video of Mr. Green’s sport’s clips.
(No one was harmed in the making of this video, especially Mr. Green!)
Question: What is a tree's favourite drink?
Answer: Root beer!