tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34011427.post8159089910983155637..comments2024-03-26T07:00:11.620-05:00Comments on Wisdom of the Hands: make it easy?Doug Stowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003845322415622289noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34011427.post-8293028693534967012012-02-03T21:39:28.906-06:002012-02-03T21:39:28.906-06:00My two cents:
For middle to high school, I've...My two cents:<br /><br />For middle to high school, I've been having great success with a saw bench and a bench hook on that. The student drops his knee onto the bench, the stock is stuck against the fence and they cut straight. A hundred percent improvement in student quality this semester with that technique.<br /><br />Why not use the ol' butt clamp at younger ages? Relationships between peers being just as important as our ability to saw, why not make the cutting of stock a peer activity? I've had pretty good success with longer pieces with one student sawing and one student helping hold the piece, then switching.<br /><br />I'd also offer that really small pieces like this might be better served with a hand-powered miter saw. Again, I've had success with younger kids here, because they can clamp the piece & the machine focuses their energy into movement along one plane.<br /><br />Mr. Patrick.woodshopcowboyhttp://www.woodshopcowboy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34011427.post-34490263194637395482012-02-01T14:48:04.540-06:002012-02-01T14:48:04.540-06:00David,
I think we need to pepper the way with fun....David,<br />I think we need to pepper the way with fun. Engagement comes from the interests of the child, and I believe the failure to engage is the failure of education. this is what makes learning more art than science. A good teacher carefully observes the student's level of engagement, coaxes when necessary, allows for some choice, allows the lessons to wander and then pulls them back when possible to the theme. Like music, a tension between the melody and refrain.Doug Stowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003845322415622289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34011427.post-62552924253622937962012-02-01T14:13:40.407-06:002012-02-01T14:13:40.407-06:00I explain the difference between Windows and Apple...I explain the difference between Windows and Apple along these lines. Apple makes it easy for the newbie to produce wonderful, eye catching material.<br /><br />I grapple with the question daily with my kids and students. How much do I have them explore and how much scafolding do I build to allow them to taste success?<br /><br />The piano teacher also needs to ask the same question? How much to let the student feel happy about his/her progress and how much to drill scales and note reading....Davidhttp://www.sichabasadeh.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34011427.post-18265291181567889612012-01-31T23:31:09.727-06:002012-01-31T23:31:09.727-06:00To produce accurate handwork, especially small box...To produce accurate handwork, especially small boxes I can see the students need accurate tools and jigs to work with. The design of the benchhook/mitre box is important for accurate cutting. When I look at our traditional bench hooks they are tired and in need of replacing with better designed models. The fence that supports the saw and keeps it vertical needs to be firm and of a larger dimension. Holding the work securely while the student concentrates on the act of sawing is a problem for some students especially the younger ones. A clamping system is required that is easy to operate.<br />I tried your suggestion of the lever and dowel but it did not seem to hold the work as securely as I would like.Richard Bazeleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34011427.post-56078208548910475512012-01-31T19:12:24.531-06:002012-01-31T19:12:24.531-06:00Richard, I wonder if the lever will keep its posit...Richard, I wonder if the lever will keep its position without the knob being tightened. If so a lever and a dowel that can be positioned in holes would suffice. That would eliminate the "t" nuts, and simplify the process. I tried to get my 8th graders to make friendship boxes by just marking square and cutting on the line. They have little sense of the precision required to make a box. <br /><br />That of course is where repetition and practice come in.Doug Stowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003845322415622289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34011427.post-51489818595171715882012-01-31T14:38:10.291-06:002012-01-31T14:38:10.291-06:00Karin ,it is a star knob,one that I made in the wo...Karin ,it is a star knob,one that I made in the workshop. There is a "T"nut on the underside that the bolt goes through. Maybe the handle could be a better shape for young childrens hands. Any suggestions?Richard Bazeleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34011427.post-15720602599138920492012-01-31T11:31:36.834-06:002012-01-31T11:31:36.834-06:00It is a great idea.
I think I will use a star kn...It is a great idea. <br /><br />I think I will use a star knob rather than a screw. That would mean no screw driver needed and it is easy for small hands to grip.Karin Corbinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14558132883050492387noreply@blogger.com