ELECTIVE ADVENTURES
Build It
Learn About the Adventure
Complete the following Requirements.
Learn about some basic tools and the proper use of each tool. Learn about and understand the need for safety when you work with tools.
With the guidance of your Webelos den leader, parent, or guardian, select a carpentry project and build it.
List the tools that you use safely as you build your project; create a list of materials needed to build your project. Put a checkmark next to the tools on your list that you used for the first time.
Learn about a construction career. With your Webelos den leader, parent, or guardian, visit a construction site, and interview someone working in a construction career.
Tools
TOOL CARE AND SAFETY
When you are done working, wipe off your tools and apply machine oil, as needed, to prevent rusting.
Dry your tools if they get wet.
Use tools only for their intended purpose.
Put your tools away when you are done with each one. You won’t lose them and it will keep them out of your way as you work.
Tools that cut—such as saws, knives, and shears—should be kept sharp. If they are dull, you will have to use too much force, and they may slip and cut you.
Keep your hands away from saw teeth and knife blades so that if the tool slips, you won’t get hurt. Make sure that the item you are cutting is held securely. Slips can lead to accidentally cut yourself.
Be careful when you are hammering. If you miss the nail head, you don’t want to hit your thumb. Ouch!
PERSONAL SAFETY
Hand protection: Wear gloves AND always know where all your fingers are when you are cutting and hammering.
Head protection: Always wear a hardhat when you are working in an area that may have falling items or debris.
Ear protection: Wear good quality ear protection when you are in an area that may have construction noise.
Eye protection: Safety glasses are a must on every project. Safety glasses prevent debris and dust from entering your eyes.
Foot protection: Wear good quality leather shoes with thick soles, if possible. This type of shoe will protect your foot if something falls on it and will prevent a puncture if you step on a nail. Never wear sandals, flip-flops, or open-toed shoes when working with tools.
Lung protection: Cutting, drilling, and especially sanding create small dust particles that can irritate your lungs. Protect yourself by wearing a dust mask (preferred) or by tying a bandanna or neckerchief around the lower part of your face.
Wood Project: Mini Cornhole
Note: This project, with the cut pieces and pre-drilled holes, was included in our C.U.B.S. However, you should be able to come up with your own using scrap wood. For a little more direction we originally planned to use 46" of a 1"x10"x12' board. Each top would be 18" long. The remaining 10" would be divided in half. You now have two 1"x10"x5" pieces. Then each half would be cut on a angle to make the side pieces. You can eyeball the first one and then copy it to the second. The diagonal cut should run from about 1.5" on one side to 3.5" on the opposite side. Then repeat for the other set.
We cut 3.5" holes and centered them about a 1-1/4" from the top.
Materials: (if you are making your own you will need a few more supplies - electric drill with appropriate bits and 3" hole saw attachment)
☐ Safety Glasses,
☐ Philips Screw driver,
☐ wood glue,
☐ sandpaper,
☐ 8 - 2 inch wood screws,
☐ wood pieces,
☐ beans,
☐ fabric bag,
☐ needle and thread,
☐ scissors
Directions for Wood Assembly:
Put on your Safety glasses and assemble your tools and workspace.
Sand all wood pieces to remove rough edges and smooth the wood. Be sure to sand the inside of the hole so that the bean bags will not catch and you won’t get splinters!
Lay out your pieces to ensure best fit.
Apply wood glue to the top edge of the sides.
Line up the holes and use screws to secure the pieces together.
Repeat for the second.
The Bean Bags
Note: C.U.B.S included a started 3" bag. You can easily construct these with fabric scraps. You will need four pieces of fabric cut to 3 to 3.5" squares. If you want different colored squares use two pieces of fabric.
Stack two squares of matching fabric, right sides facing in. If you wish pin them together so they do not move while you sew.
Run a simple basting stitch (in one side, out the other, then back to the original side - it should look like a row of dashes) around three sides.
Flip your pouch so the right sides are out and your stitches are hidden. Then continue as below.
Directions for Making Bean Bags:
Your bag will be finished on three sides. You may need to turn it inside out so the finished seams are on the inside.
Pour in beans, leaving ½ inch of space at the top.
Thread the needle with the thread and double to match the ends. Tie a knot at the end.
Fold the tops of the fabric, on the open end, down and in to face each other. Use simple back and forth stitches no longer than 1/4 inch (about the width of your pinky fingernail) to sew the top closed. Tie a simple overhand knot at the end.
Overhand knot
Tool Checklist
Construction Careers
A construction site is an exciting place to visit. You’ll see workers moving all over the place, carrying materials, using tools, and reading blueprints. The work may look disorganized, but it’s all carefully planned.
Every construction project starts with a set of blueprints that shows exactly how all the pieces should go together and in what order. First, workers lay the foundation, frame the building, and add the roof and walls. Electrical wiring and plumbing come next, along with doors, windows, and light fixtures. Near the end of the process, workers add siding, cabinetry, wallboard, paint, and floor coverings. Once the building has been inspected, it’s ready to be occupied.
Construction workers use their hands, but they also use their brains. A lot of measuring is involved, and good math skills are a must. Teamwork is also very important.
When you interview a construction worker, ask questions like these:
What parts of the building do you work on?
How did you acquire the skills you use? Did you go to trade school, learn on the job, or both?
What’s your favorite part of working in construction?
What’s the most fun building project you’ve ever worked on?