TOOLS, MACHINES AND PROCESSES

WOOD WORK MACHINES

Types and used of wood work machines
Power tools: This are tools where the power to drive or operate the tool is provided by
electricity rather than human effort. Example is electric drill. They are generally easier to use,
efficient and faster than hand tools but it is easier to make mistake using them if one is not
careful because they work quickly.
Portable power tools: These tools can be moved quickly and easily from one place to another
because they are generally light and compact.
Belt sander: A belt sander uses a special loop of sandpapers that runs over rollers driven by the
sander’s electric motor. It makes sanding much easier and faster. The sand paper belt can be
replaced whenever it wears out or coarse sandpaper can be replaced with fine sand paper at
any stage.
Hand drill: Hand drills come in different sizes, depending on what they will be used for. Modern
drills are often cordless and run off a rechargeable battery.
It can be used following:
1. It is used with a bit to drill holes in wood, metal or concrete
2. It is used with screwdriver bits to act as a screw driver
3. It is used with sanding discs to act as a sander
4. It is used with polishing (buffing) discs to polish wood or metal surfaces.
Fret saw
A power fret saw is useful for cutting sheets of plywood or thin planks. It is especially useful for
cutting shapes because it is easily manoeuvrable. The blades move up and down very rapidly,
rather than rotating.
Electric Screwdriver
This handy tool can screw woodworking screws in or out, without the user having to turn the
handle of the driver. It is used to secure lots of screws quickly.
Machines
Machines are usually not portable but they are designed to be set up and used in one place.
The wood is usually taken to the machines but power tools are taken to the wood.
Examples of wood machines are
1. Circular saw: The saw of this machine is used to cut logs, timber, planks and almost any
type of wood. Its circular blade rotates in a constant cutting motion.
2. Band saw: This is a heavyduty machine that uses a blade consisting of a continuos band
of metal with teeth along the cutting edge. The band rides on two rotating wheels or
rollers. It is useful in cutting irregular or curved shapes but can also make straight cuts
3. Wood lathe: This machine produces beautifully turned wooden articles from long pieces
of wood.
4. Surface planer: this is used to plane a plank of wood to produce an even surface.
5. Thickness sander: This is a specialized piece of machinery used to sand and smooth
planks of wood and articles such as a table tops after surface planning
6. Drill press: This machine holes drills absolutely steady to produce neat, accurate holes as
the drill bit is lowered into the wood.
Class Activity : Student discuss the care and maintenance of wood tools and machines