The leader in a wood working project needs to be able to explain to children the various techniques that will be called for in making any simple projects – such matters as how to enlarge or reduce a pattern, how to trace it properly, how to handle a coping saw or a jigsaw.

Checkerboard method of enlarging patterns:

The design for any project may be enlarged to any desired proportion by placing a piece of tracing paper which has been ruled with 1/2-inch squares over the pattern and tracing the outline. A second piece of tracing paper is then prepared with larger squares to give the desired increase in size.

Preparation of materials:

If the children are expected to trace the patterns themselves, care should be taken that the tracing paper is held securely to the pattern and to the piece of wood to which the pattern is being transferred. This may be accomplished by pushing the edge of the tracing paper firmly into the binding of the book or using clips or cellophane tape to hold the tracing in place.

Shop techniques:

Checkerboard method for enlarging a pattern. Lay tracing paper over the design or pattern you wish to enlarge and outline it carefully. Draw a perfect square around the traced pattern and, with the aid of a ruler, divide this box into any convenient number of small squares.Decide what size the pattern should be and draw a second square box of this dimension. Divide the large box into exactly the same number of squares used in marking off the original tracing. Now you are ready to copy the pattern in the large box, sketching one square at a time until the drawing is complete.This same technique may be used to reduce the size of a pattern, if the box in which the pattern is copied is made smaller than the original design.

Use of coping saw and jigsaw

The difficulty which children encounter in using a coping saw efficiently is largely due to inadequate support for the piece of wood to be cut. The wood must be clamped or held in a vise so that the point at which the saw is cutting is as close as possible to the jaws of the vise or the grip of the “C” clamp.

When cutting with a coping saw, best results are achieved by using short, even strokes directed at right angles to the wood. The blade should be guided by slowly turning the frame, avoiding any sudden twisting of the handle which may result in broken blades. Detailed figures with sharp angles should be cut from the wood block in rough outline form before attempting to reach the more difficult corners. Very acute angles can best be cut by approaching the apex from two sides instead of attempting to turn the corner.

Whatever the project, the most valuable assets of a carpenter are his or her woodcraft supplies. If the carpenter does not have the proper supplies, he or she cannot do the job at hand. If you are a true carpenter you will probably have a favorite store where you purchase all or most of your supplies.

The first is the table saw, this power tool is very important and is a must have in any wood shop or shed. The table saw will be used for practically every project you set out to accomplish. It is most likely to be the most sound and important investment you are going to make in your carpentry endeavors.

The second tool we will talk about is the band saw. This is probably the most underrated tool used in woodworking. There are many that think that this tool is not a necessity for carpentry work. The band saw can do many things such as re-cutting wood, ripping wood, doing crosscuts, cutting circles and cutting joints.

The third tool that is on our list of topics for discussion is the drill. What wood worker could do without a drill? Drills are used in a few different ways. You can use it to make screw holes in many different materials, especially wood. You also use the drill to screw or unscrew bolts, rivets or screws from wood and other things.

The fourth tool is most likely going to be a set of tools. It is essential for any woodworker to have a good selection of measuring tools. You will want to measure, check the measurements and re-measure just to avoid having to start the project over because of a simple mistake.

The fifth and last tool we will talk about is the router. A router, along with a good selection of router bits, is great to have in any wood shop. With a variety of bits you are sure to make your project look wonderful and unique. A router can cut designs in wood and add wonderful art to any project.

With a wood shop needing so many tools, it is essential to take care of them to avoid having to spend a lot of money to replace rusted and broken woodcraft supplies. You should have a tool case to keep you smaller tools, nails and screws in to keep them from getting wet. You should also oil and clean your tools regularly and after projects to keep them from rusting.