Shape & Form Timber Based Materials (AQA GCSE Design & Technology): Revision Note
Exam code: 8552
How to cut timber
Timber can be cut using the following tools and methods:
To cut by hand, a maker can use a range of common hand saws including:
A tenon saw
A coping saw
A mitre saw
A crosscut saw
The choice of saw will depend on the size, thickness and type of timber
Where the timber is thicker a tenon or crosscut saw are most suitable,
Thinner timber will be more suited to a coping saw
The type of cut the maker is looking to make is also a factor
A straight cut will be achieved by a tenon saw
A curved or round cut would only be possible with a coping saw
For angled cuts of timber, a mitre saw would be the correct choice
To cut using equipment or machinery, a maker has a further range of common pieces of equipment to choose from including:
A bandsaw
A scroll saw
A table saw
A jig saw
A bandsaw, with its continuous blade, will be ideal for many cutting tasks
A scroll saw, with a blade similar to a coping saw, will be ideal for curved cuts in thinner timber
A jigsaw, as a hand held piece of equipment, is ideal for a range of curved cuts in slightly thicker timber
A table saw along with a hand held circular saw which has a similar blade is suited for straight cuts in thick timber
Worked Example
Explain the difference between a coping saw and a tenon saw, when cutting timber
Answer
A coping saw is used to cut thinner material, and cut curved lines
A tenon saw is used for cutting thicker material, and straight lines only
How to drill timber
To drill into timber, a maker can choose between a hand held electric drill or a machine known as a pillar drill
For both pieces of equipment, the maker needs to choose the appropriate size and type of drill bit
This is the cutting tool used to drill a hole
For a 6mm hole, a M6 drill bit would be chosen
The timber is typically clamped in place, with some scraps of timber or space underneath
This is in case the drill bit needs to travel all the way through the timber being drilled
The drill bit is mounted into the chuck of the drill hand or equipment and tightened into position
The drill is lowered through the timber, either to a specific depth using a depth stop, to a depth judged by the maker, or all the way through the material
Different tools can be mounted into the chuck instead of a drill bit, including:
A spade bit
A forstner bit
A stepped drill bit
A countersink drill bit
A hole saw
Each tool creates a different type outcome in the timber
How to chisel timber
To chisel timber, a maker needs to be able to secure the piece of timber into a position first, typically using a bench clamp
The maker will mark the surface area and depth they would like to chisel out
Using a chisel and a mallet, the maker will be able to tap the chisel through the timber, often making use of the direction of the grain to help achieve a smooth or straight chisel
To help remove a “squared” edge amount of material from the timber, the maker may use a saw such as a tenon saw, to cut down the sides, before chiselling out the middle
How to sand timber
To sand timber, a maker has the choice of manually sanding the piece by hand, using a hand held piece of equipment, or using a machine
Sanding by hand involves choosing a suitable grit of sand paper
The grit is a number which indicates how rough the paper is
Higher numbers being smoother, and lower numbers being rougher
The sand paper is held in the hand, or wrapped around a piece of scrap material, and rubbed against the rough surface or edge, to move waste and smooth the surface
Using a piece of equipment includes the choice of:
A mouse sander
A rotary/oscillating sander
A mouse sander will vibrate the sanding pad, which rapidly sands a timber surface
A rotary or oscillating sander will spin sand paper around a centre, which again will remove timber
Static sanders
The following sanders are static and the piece of wood is passed over them including:
A disk sander
A belt sander
A bobbin sander
A disk sander will spin a disk of sand paper, which rapidly removes waste from the timber piece
A belt sander will do the same, but the sand paper will travel in one direction very quickly, allowing for straight edge sanding
A bobbin sander spins and “bobs up and down” a sanding cylinder which helps to create and smooth internal curved edges in timber
Worked Example
Explain the difference between using a disk sander, a belt sander or a bobbin sander to sand timber (e.g. pine)
Answer
When sanding materials like pine, each process is able to achieve a slightly different outcome.
A disk sander can be used to smooth smaller edges of material.
A belt sander is ideal for sanding longer straight edges or larger flat surfaces.
A bobbin sander would be used to sand an internal curved edge.
How to plane timber
Timber is planed by a maker using a plane
A plane is a hand tool made from cast iron, with a large flat surface with a very sharp wide blade has been mounted just protruding the surface
This protruding blade created thin “shavings” of timber, typically along an edge
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