Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify different types of cutting tools and their uses.
• Explain the importance of maintaining cutting tools.
• Demonstrate proper cleaning and storage techniques.
• Describe safety precautions when using cutting tools.
• Perform basic maintenance like sharpening and oiling.

Lesson summary

Welcome, learners! Today, we are going to learn a very important skill that will help us in the workshop, in the kitchen, on the farm, and even in our future careers. We will be discussing how to properly care for and maintain our cutting and shaping tools. Imagine a carpenter in Kumasi whose saw is rusty and blunt. Will he be able to cut wood straight and fast? No! He will struggle, and his work will be poor. Imagine a seamstress in Accra whose scissors are stiff and dull. Can she cut fabric neatly? No! She might tear the expensive cloth.

Lesson notes

A. What are Cutting and Shaping Tools?

These are implements we use to change the size or form of a material. We use them to cut, slice, trim, carve, or shape things like wood, metal, fabric, and food.

Common Examples in Ghana: Woodwork: Handsaw, Chisel, Plane Metalwork: Hacksaw, File Sewing: Fabric Scissors, Pinking Shears, Seam Ripper Cooking: Kitchen Knife, Paring Knife Farming/Gardening: Cutlass, Hoe, Secateurs (pruning shears) B. The Four Golden Rules of Tool Care and Maintenance

To keep our tools in excellent condition, we must follow four simple but very important principles. Think of it as C.D.P.S. (Clean, Dry, Protect, Store). CLEAN Tools Immediately After Use Why? Dirt, sawdust, moisture, and plant sap can cause rust or make parts stick. How? For light dust (like sawdust or fabric lint), use a dry cloth or a stiff brush to wipe the tool clean. For mud or sticky substances (like on a cutlass), use a damp cloth, perhaps with a little soap. Example: After using a handsaw to cut wood, you must use a brush to clean all the sawdust from between the teeth. DRY Tools Thoroughly Why? This is the most important step to prevent rust! Rust is the reddish-brown substance (iron oxide) that forms when iron or steel metal is exposed to water and air. Rust weakens the metal and dulls the cutting edge. How? Use a clean, dry rag or old cloth to wipe every part of the tool, especially the metal parts, until they are completely dry. Never leave a tool to "air dry" as it might not dry completely. Example: After washing the mud off a hoe, you must wipe the metal blade and handle dry before putting it away. PROTECT The Metal Parts Why? To create a barrier against moisture and air, which cause rust. A sharp edge also needs protection from getting knocked and damaged. How? Oiling: Apply a very thin layer of light machine oil (like 3-in-1 oil) or grease to all metal surfaces. Put a few drops on a cloth and wipe it on. In Ghana, some farmers even use a cloth with a little shea butter to protect their cutlass blades. Sharpening: A dull tool is a dangerous tool. Sharpening should be done regularly using the correct tool, like a file for a cutlass or an oilstone for a chisel. *We will learn the specific techniques for sharpening later, but for now, know that it is a key part of maintenance.* Example: After cleaning and drying a chisel, wipe the steel blade with an oily rag before storing it. STORE Tools Properly and Safely Why? Proper storage protects the tool from damage, protects people from getting accidentally cut, and helps you find the tool when you need it. How? Store in a dry place, like a toolbox, a cabinet, or a designated rack on a wall. Do not pile tools on top of each other. This can chip or dull the cutting edges. Use covers or sheaths for very sharp tools like chisels and cutlasses. Hang saws on hooks or store them in a way that their teeth are not touching other metal objects. Example: A tailor should keep her expensive fabric scissors in a separate case or compartment in her sewing box, not thrown in a drawer with pins and other items. C. Specific Maintenance Examples