WOOD TECHNOLOGY

The technology of working with wood is an area where many recent developments have taken place. The most important topic in this section is 'Health and Safety'. The health and safety of people at work, in school and everywhere in fact, has become an issue of great importance. A major part of what you learn in the workshop and what is most important is to work safely with all of the materials, tools and machinery. Even though the basic form of many tools has not changed in centuries most have been improved from where they started out. In most cases wooden handles have been replaced by plastic and the quality of steel is better. There is a huge range of machines used in the woodwork industry, especially in factory situations. A typical school workshop will have 3 or 4 'semi-industrial' machines. In the main students are not allowed to use these machines. 'Power' tools have been in use in workshops for decades now. They are powerful and can be dangerous if not properly handled. They are, of course, very useful. The cordless versions of the power tool range has become very popular because of their portability. New methods of putting wooden artefacts together have been developed. 'Laminating' timber is a fantastic way of assembling wood. It can be used by the craftsperson in a workshop, in the mass-production of furniture, and in the construction of buildings. However, the traditional 'joints' still work! Joinery is still one of the neatest ways of putting wood together.

Health & Safety