Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
TOOLS AND MACHINES IN WOODWORK INDUSTRY
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TOOLS AND MACHINES IN WOODWORK INDUSTRY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 2
Grade code: 3.4.1.LI.3
Strand code: 4
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 3.4.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.4.1.LI.3
Theme: WOOD TECHNOLOGY
Subtheme: TOOLS AND MACHINES IN WOODWORK INDUSTRY
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In Ghana, from the local carpenter in Abossey Okai making furniture to large construction companies in Tema, woodwork machines are the heart of the industry. However, these machines are expensive investments. If they are not cared for, they break down, produce poor-quality work, and can become very dangerous. This lesson will equip you with the essential knowledge and practical skills to care for and maintain key woodwork machines. Proper maintenance ensures safety, extends the life of the machine, guarantees precision in your work, and ultimately saves money, making any future business you start more profitable and sustainable.
A. The Importance of Machine Care and Maintenance
Machine maintenance is not just about cleaning; it is a planned set of activities to keep a machine in its best working condition. Safety: A poorly maintained machine can cause serious injury. For example, a loose grinding wheel can shatter, or a faulty switch can cause an electric shock. Longevity: Regular care prevents rust, wear, and tear, making the machine last for many years. This protects the owner's investment. Accuracy and Quality: A well-maintained machine produces clean, precise cuts and finishes. A wobbly lathe or a dull mortising chisel will ruin a piece of wood. Cost-Effectiveness: Preventing a major breakdown is far cheaper than repairing or replacing a machine. It also prevents costly downtime in a business. B. General Maintenance Principles (Applies to ALL machines) Read the Manual: Always consult the manufacturer's manual for specific instructions. Daily Checks (Before & After Use): Cleanliness: Wipe down the machine to remove all sawdust and debris. Use a brush for corners and a rag for surfaces. Compressed air can be used carefully. Visual Inspection: Check for loose bolts, nuts, frayed wires, or damaged parts. Safety Guards: Ensure all guards are in place and working correctly. Weekly Checks: Lubrication: Apply oil or grease to moving parts as specified in the manual (e.g., gears, slides, bearings). Blade/Cutter Inspection: Check for sharpness, chips, or cracks in cutting tools. Monthly Checks: Belts: Check the tension and condition of drive belts. Alignment: Check the alignment of critical parts like fences and tables. Deep Cleaning: Perform a more thorough cleaning of internal parts. Rule of Thumb: Disconnect from power before any cleaning, adjustment, or maintenance! C. Specific Machines: Parts, Uses, and Maintenance Mortising/Drilling Machine Use: Primarily used to cut square or rectangular holes (mortises) for mortise and tenon joints. It can also be used as a standard drill press for drilling round holes. Key Parts & Description: | Part | Description | | :--- | :--- | | Chuck | Holds the drill bit or the auger of the mortising chisel. | | Chisel Holder | Secures the square hollow chisel around the auger bit. | | Head | Contains the motor, chuck, and drive mechanism. | | Column | The main vertical pillar that supports the head. | | Work Table | A flat surface with a fence and clamps to hold the workpiece securely. | | Feed Lever | The handle used to lower the chisel/bit into the wood. | Specific Care and Maintenance: Always remove the chisel and bit after use, clean them of resin and dust, and apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust. Keep the chuck clean. Sawdust can build up inside and prevent bits from seating properly. Ensure the auger bit is sharp and the square chisel has sharp, clean edges. Sharpen when necessary. Wipe down the work table and column with an oily rag to prevent rust and allow the workpiece to slide smoothly. Occasionally lubricate the rack and pinion mechanism of the feed lever. Router Shaping Machine (Spindle Moulder) Use: Used to cut decorative edges (mouldings), grooves, and joints on the edges of wood. It uses a high-speed rotating cutter (spindle). Key Parts & Description: | Part | Description | | :--- | :--- | | Spindle | The vertical shaft that holds and rotates the cutter block/router bit. | | Cutter Block | A head that holds interchangeable cutting knives. | | Table | A large, flat cast-iron surface on which the wood is supported. | | Fence | An adjustable guide (often in two parts) against which the wood is pushed. | | Motor | Powers the rotation of the spindle. Usually housed below the table. | Specific Care and Maintenance: The table surface must be kept perfectly clean, smooth, and rust-free. Apply a coat of paste wax to help wood slide easily. Keep the spindle and collets (if used) meticulously clean. Any debris can cause cutters to be misaligned and vibrate dangerously. Router bits/cutters must be kept sharp and clean. Clean resin buildup with a suitable solvent. Regularly check the fence for squareness to the table and ensure its locking mechanism is firm. Check the drive belt for proper tension and signs of wear. Grinding Machine (Bench Grinder) Use: A workshop essential for sharpening tools like chisels, plane irons, and drill bits. It can also be used for shaping and cleaning metal parts. Key Parts & Description: | Part | Description | | :--- | :--- | | Grinding Wheels | Abrasive wheels (one coarse, one fine) that do the cutting. | | Motor Housing | Contains the electric motor that spins the wheels. | | Tool Rest | An adjustable support to rest the tool being sharpened. | | Eye Shield | A clear, shatter-proof guard to protect the user's eyes from sparks. | | Wheel Guard | A metal cover enclosing most of the wheel for safety. | Specific Care and Maintenance: This is a safety-critical machine. Always check the wheels for cracks before turning it on. A cracked wheel can explode. Keep the tool rest adjusted correctly – it should be about 2-3mm from the wheel surface. Ensure the eye shields are clean and in place. The wheel face can become clogged or uneven with use. Use a "wheel dresser" to clean and true the face of the wheel. This is called dressing the wheel. Ensure the machine is securely bolted to the workbench to prevent vibration. Lathe Machine Use: Used for "turning" wood. It spins a piece of wood at high speed while the operator uses chisels to shape it into cylindrical forms like table legs, bowls, and lampstands. Key Parts & Description: | Part | Description | | :--- | :--- | | Bed | The main horizontal frame of the lathe on which all other parts are mounted. | | Headstock | Contains the drive motor, pulleys, and the main spindle that rotates the wood. | | Tailstock | A movable support at the opposite end of the bed to support the other end of the wood. | | Tool Rest | An adjustable support for resting the turning chisels on during operation. | | Faceplate/Spur Drive| Components mounted on the headstock spindle to hold and turn the wood. | Specific Care and Maintenance: Keep the bed ways clean and free of sawdust and rust. A light coat of wax or oil helps the tailstock and tool rest slide smoothly. Regularly check and lubricate the headstock bearings according to the manual. Keep the tailstock ram clean and lightly oiled. Ensure the locking handles for the tool rest and tailstock are working properly and can clamp firmly. Keep all turning tools (chisels, gouges) sharp for safety and a better finish. Drum Sander Machine Use: Used for sanding large flat panels of wood smoothly and to a uniform thickness. It uses a rotating drum covered with abrasive paper. Key Parts & Description: | Part | Description | | :--- | :--- | | Sanding Drum | A large cylinder that is wrapped with abrasive paper. | | Conveyor Belt | A moving belt that feeds the workpiece under the sanding drum. | | Abrasive Paper | Sandpaper in a roll that is attached to the drum. | | Dust Port | An outlet to connect a dust extraction system. | | Height Adjustment| A crank or wheel to raise/lower the sanding drum to control sanding depth. | Specific Care and Maintenance: Dust extraction is vital. Regularly clean the dust port and ensure the extraction system is working. Clogged dust is a fire hazard and affects performance. When changing the abrasive paper, ensure it is wrapped tightly and securely on the drum. A loose paper will tear and give a poor finish. Regularly clean the conveyor belt to prevent debris from marking the underside of your workpiece. Check the tension and tracking of the conveyor belt and adjust as needed. Periodically check the drum for parallel alignment with the conveyor table.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Instructions: In your groups, discuss the following scenarios and write down your answers. We will discuss them as a class afterward.