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tbockman
Posted: Saturday, January 16, 2021 8:36:52 AM
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Joined: 11/17/2006
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A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.


We began this semester mostly distance learning with a few students coming on campus for their assignments. With much spare time between lessons, I was able to cycle small groups through the wood shop. Mostly we played around with the laser engraver and wood burner, but this 7th grader was motivated to get multiple projects done. Among them is a cutting board and this heart box. I'm sorry I wasn't carrying a better camera so the picture had the contrast adjusted so you can hopefully see the engraving on the top.


I'm so glad I was able to do this. Sitting for long periods of time is not in my nature. This was a fun break for all of us. I even had a few come through who had never been in wood shop before. Everyone who is able, returns to our normal schedule next week.

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tbockman
Posted: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 6:45:00 PM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

The New 3rd quarter Assignment

The assignment is a video of making the phone buddy and a fairly easy quiz afterward.


Some students haven't checked in for assignments yet, so 4 are currently on the list. 2 more on-line students are new to the class and will start from the beginning and work through the first quarter assignments.

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tbockman
Posted: Monday, February 8, 2021 8:34:39 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
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A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

The Cannon & Cutting Board

I missed getting these out. The assignments are videos of making the cannon and the cutting board.




Some students still haven't checked in for assignments yet, and 9 are currently on the list.

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tbockman
Posted: Friday, February 19, 2021 8:02:04 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
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A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

Add lettering to the laser engraver.


Students learn how to add lettering into a laser design.

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tbockman
Posted: Sunday, March 7, 2021 11:30:11 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

Curved lettering on the laser engraver.


Students learn how to add curved lettering into a laser design.

It has been a very busy two weeks and I haven't kept up with the posts, but there is good news. Our Governor has told the schools that they should all be open to in person learning.

We already stayed open as much as we could, but now more of our students are expected to return. I could still have a few on-line learners, but I don't expect it from what our Principal has said on the topic.

However, I have made a few extra assignments just in case. I have been exploring how trees can not only communicate, but many times have their own Internet of sorts. Hopefully I will be able to use this material in the future.

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tbockman
Posted: Sunday, March 7, 2021 11:34:43 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

Manually focus the laser engraver.


Students learn how to manually focus the laser to save time and to make multiples faster.

I will start posting more about our projects as more students come back and on-line fades leaving me more time.

The student have gone crazy with making cutting boards, for their own profit. Yep, I let them keep what they earn and now that the cabinet shop has slowed down, the materials have slowed down. I may have to limit how many cutting boards a student can make during the final quarter, so I don't run out of material.

It has really driven the students workload as money motivates even the hardest to reach rascals. I love watching them get so excited about woodworking. And the parents have jumped in as they post on their Facebook pages and a few students have really been raking in the dough.

They can get double the amount if they laser engrave the cutting board. I think I am seeing just about every major sports team on some of these boards. We have also done them for colleges and universities.

The ones not motivated to make cutting boards are still working frantically on the other projects, so it is a win all around. If you can believe it, even some of the tougher cases are really liking these projects. Some days I have to literally kick some of them out so they will go to their next class.

One last thing, I'm sorry that Google Classroom doesn't allow the sharing of materials like quizzes. I am stunned by this fact. I'm not sure the rational behind it, but no matter what I've tried, I can't share more than the Google Drive and You Tube materials. I hope I have at least helped as many of you as I can.

While my focus is mostly towards the on-line learners here, the reality is there are way more on campus students. I should have been taking more photos to post.

There has been a change in e-mail as cableone discontinues that part of the service. I've tried to catch all of these and made changes throughout the pages of the posts. As usual, remove the red.

woodshopNOSPAMteacherprivate@gmail.com

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tbockman
Posted: Wednesday, March 31, 2021 9:08:30 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

Printing to the laser engraver.

For all the 4th quarter students, they will finish up the laser series. It's too bad they can't be here to actually use this equipment.


For the new students who are in the 4th quarter classes, this copied and reused assignment starts them back at the beginning. I wish I had done this last quarter, but then most of the 3rd quarter students did them anyway without being asked, so it all worked out in the end.


While it isn't the most fun to teach wood shop over the Internet, I have found it is possible to do it with the abundance of materials I had already created. I'm glad I have been able to share my google drive with many of you. It's too bad I can't share the quizzes, although you might be disappointed in how simple they really are. For the most part, it was to make it obvious when someone skips right to the quiz without learning at least some of the material.

Anyway, that is mostly what I was trying to determine with these simple quizzes. With no clear standards at this level, there is no road map for where they are suppose to end up. I have always had one simple goal... make them love wood shop and want to continue using these skills their whole life. Make cool projects they have trouble resisting. That is harder to achieve when they can't be here for the in class experience that really hooks them.

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tbockman
Posted: Thursday, April 8, 2021 12:48:52 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

What's happening in 4th quarter?

It's one of my morning classes with four students. As I look around this class, I see everyone totally engaged in making their projects. It is a delight to see the students working so intently. I don't have to step in to help much once they have been in the shop for so many years. It's the way it should be.








I just renewed my teaching certificate which may well be my last. This is the first time they are extending them out 12 years. By then I'll be well into my 70's. It makes me wonder how much more I will be able to do. I seem to be fighting physical problems one after another, so I'm not sure I can last much longer. However, when that last day for me eventually arrives, it will be a sad day indeed. I have loved what I do and can't think of a better way to spend my time. I get older and the kids don't seem to... especially when they filter in and out each year... ageless.

The on-line learners are in two groups... the returning students and the 4 new ones for the 4th quarter, so I am past the safety and up to the measuring lesson (you have already seen) for the new students and the ping pong ball shooter for the returning 4 students but I also let the new students do this one to make it more fun. Then last week was a "print to the engraver" also for the returning students. A simple quiz keeps them honest... I hope. That's a huge problem with distance learning... in my opinion.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to be of help. Here is my new e-mail address that is also linked to my school account. As always, remove the red.

woodshopteacherprivate@NOSPAMg-mail.com

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tbockman
Posted: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:11:08 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

Better late than never!

I got a little behind in posting with outside projects like restoring a 1955 Chevy Shortbed.


While that is a fun project, it's also a little above my take home pay, but it's something I've always wanted to do. Of course my real dream would be something older, but I got this for a decent price.

It's the constant challenges that make it a little harder for me to keep up with posting. Using junkyard parts (U-bolt), I recently had to fabricate (with a little neighborly help from up the street) my own Offset rod for the clutch linkage. Don't you just love these vintage drawings.


The best part is how my mind is completely engrossed in these tasks and not on the problems of the world.

Back to wood shop.

With only a few weeks left to go, I'm getting close to wrapping it up and I am cramming in as many as I have missed posting. I have these assignments already out there with a couple more waiting in the wings I will post when they come out next week. First, for those students who have been hanging in there for the duration...


View the Ping Pong Ball Shooter video


View the Airplane video.


View the Wiener Dog Bank video.


And for the new students who are in the 4th quarter classes, these copied and reused assignments are keeping them on track.


I gave them extra time and so far only one of them has completed measuring.





AND, I have one on campus 8th grader who has managed with dad's facebook help, to sell almost $500 worth of her cutting boards made in class. At one point I had to tell everyone that we were running out of the free materials... that is all but this one very dedicated young lady. I just couldn't cut that experiment off. I really wanted to see how far she could take it and I can't believe how hard she worked, and of course how much she learned along the way. She began paying other students to help glue them up. She managed to make mostly sports related images on each one and made about 24 at $20 a piece.

She is on her last one this week. So the experiment paid off for her and a few others managed to do pretty well too. If only I could bring in that many free materials all the time, we could let everyone do that same thing. The only reason we could let it go this long was the on-line learning kept my materials overflowing and I did need to get some of that out of the shop as it was literally beginning to take over.

Good job Mia! I hope all my students will continue being interested in some form of woodworking in the future.

View the on-line cutting board video.

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tbockman
Posted: Thursday, May 6, 2021 9:02:41 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

The Last On-line Assignments (at least hopefully)
For the year long more advanced students...


And for the quarterly students...


It's hard to believe another school year is almost over. I literally don't have many more left before my career is wrapped up, one of the reasons to share everything I have. I know it is helping the new teachers and even the more experienced teachers.

I've offered to simply copy everything I have onto flash drives sent to me from all over the world. Some teachers prefer only the less complete Google drive material. Either way I hope the on-line materials never go away. The flash drives can also fail I'm sure. Make your back up copies if you have them. I prefer to be the one sharing, but I'm sure others have shared the materials and that is OK with me. It's a life's work and I wish someone had done this for me.

Here is hoping we don't have social distancing much longer (like next year). In the beginning days of on-campus learning everyone was on edge. Now this may almost be unbelievable, but we experienced very few interruptions once we were back in classes. The few who stayed away have missed out.

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tbockman
Posted: Wednesday, August 18, 2021 7:50:52 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
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A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.


Another year older!

We started back 3 weeks ago. Of course it happens every year, we get a little older. I find one of the weird things about the teaching profession is that the kids seem the same, like they don't age past a certain time which is crazy, but when you see some of them years later you can barely recognize them. Especially when they are turning grey. You had my grandpa in class... Ha!

At this school I have been here just long enough now to have the kindergartners that are from my first year here. These are the last kids who will remember the old cafeteria space that the wood shop is now taken over. Maybe I'm making too much of it, but in three years I may be retired for good. Maybe sooner too! There are just too many physical changes at my age that are really starting to get in the way. It all started back in 1960 with open heart surgery.

It's hard to believe I've lived in an age that has had so many medical advances that can keep us alive far past our expiration date. I've just graduated to my 2nd pacemaker. This one is upgraded with a defibrillator. When I told the kids my latest story about why I missed the last week and a half of school last year, I was worried the school would get calls from parents. I was lucky... it didn't happen.

I told them that I ended up in the ER, and they had to give me 100 joules without sedation. It does feel like they say. It reminded me of when I was a kid and I touched a spark plug wire. Yikes! But on this day I folded up like a jack knife knees up, shoulders coming up to hit the knees. Right before that I was told this could have been fatal if I hadn't gotten there as soon as I did. A very expensive helicopter ride later, which insurance is balking at, there was a misdiagnosis and I'm back home thinking everything is better than they thought, which is why the insurance is hesitating... but when I contact my cardiologist, he was livid that they missed it.

The local electrophysiologist had to clear her schedule and immediately put me into a life vest with the built in defibrillator which would go off multiple times a day. It was nerve racking to say the least. It took a few weeks to get what should have been done as an emergency that day.

I told my students about the dangers of me being around the electricity in the shop, and how if I suddenly lay down on the floor, don't touch me just in case of eminent shock, and go get the nurse or call 911. I really don't think it will happen, but we have to plan for what to do in that situation. There are at least two other teachers who are in the same boat. They have both spent time in my shop here and neither went out in an ambulance, so I'm reasonably sure that's not going to happen to me. Cross your fingers.

Well, another advancement I never expected in my life time was being able to use a laser. I remember when I first told students to think about what woodworking might look like in the future, I never thought I would live far enough to see some of the things we get to use in class. I was lucky enough to secure a free laser engraver and most of the time the kids choose to use it to print a cartoon character I've never seen before.

Occasionally I am able to talk them into something a little more substantial. You can find some amazing images on-line that if cleaned up in Photo shop, can really accent a project. This simple puzzle or brain teaser is a great example. I actually used this image on the face of the woodburner to hide some stray burn marks someone found it necessary to leave on the wooden front I've attached to limit the temperature.


Once the noise was removed with photoshop, the image made a wonderful tasteful decorative addition to an otherwise drab project.

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tbockman
Posted: Sunday, August 22, 2021 10:05:59 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

***4-22-22 UPDATE***- The links in the letter below have been remade due to youtube blocking the school channel from the general public. In fact, I couldn't even get into it and had IT fix the problem months ago. I noticed today that they were again blocked. I have since gone around the issue by also posting them on my private account, making them open to the public. Enjoy.

Visit My Virtual Open House

I had to produce a PowerPoint to show at our open house which was suppose to be on my birthday, but it was switched to a virtual open house to minimize adults gathering at the school with the Delta variant flaring up. We don't have a mask mandate. Anyway, we needed to add voice to the presentation and if you are familiar with PowerPoint, the voice sound quality is not the best. I decided to make digital recordings that sound much better, but PowerPoint couldn't import them. So I changed course and opened movie maker, imported the audio and the remade slides (now jpg's) and made this presentation instead. The sound quality is much better, but the slides no longer have animations and the links don't work.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL6ttKKBePA&t=42s

It will have to do. I think the links could have more than doubled the amount of viewing time, so it's probably for the best. I'm not sure if anyone will want to sit through 6 of these from their child's class schedule not to mention parents with several children. I'd be lucky to have anyone visit and sit through this. If I had recorded with a screen capture which I don't have, or used zoom, I could have pizzazzed it up with working links, videos, etc... but it probably wouldn't have made for more visitors. Who wants to sit through that when there are so many other things we all could be doing.

It's now Thursday 8-26-21...

Dear Parents,

Welcome to our first Virtual Open House. I have been teaching Wood Shop for over 40 years and I prepared this video to let you know more about what we are doing in our class. I hope your child enjoys this experience. Feel free to look through any of the other Wood Shop videos available on my channel.

Puzzle- The first project

Toys with wheels- Race car- There are many to choose from.

Kitty puzzle

Cannon

Wiener dog bank

Airplane

Cutting board

Phone buddy

It is kind of funny that my own first experience in 7th grade Wood Shop would not have led me down this career path. It wasn't until high school that all of it changed for me. It is my goal to provide a better first experience to my students so they can feel comfortable using tools and equipment safely and enjoy making use of these essential life skills. Especially since this will not be available anymore at most high schools.

You may also like to know that our class materials are provided through MCK Woodworks, owned by a former (1981) student. Mike Lough has allowed me to access materials before they go into the dumpster. We get to use the highest quality materials at no cost to the school. We are also doing our part to recycle and save the planet.

You might like to visit woodworkingteachers.com where I have kept a blog of my experiences at Franklin Phonetic School. It will show projects and detail our shops transformation over the past 8 years.

Thank you for choosing Franklin Phonetic School. Thank you for choosing Wood Shop.

Sincerely,

Mr. Bockman


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tbockman
Posted: Saturday, November 6, 2021 11:23:15 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
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A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.


Ch ch ch changes

It has been a while since I last posted. I think most of my students lost confidence in their abilities while they were doing off campus learning. They really seem hesitant to try new things and they ask for more help than ever. They also seem different in social setting. I don't know if any of you have noticed this at your schools, but around here we have definitely seen a difference in behavior. I'm sure over time this will change, but until then I have to keep encouraging them to try new things and keep moving forward. It has taken forever to get some of them past cutting simple shapes on the scroll saw. I've also had to slow down the cutting board projects since we quickly burned through the wood reserves I stockpiled when we were not here to use it up. This and the laser engraver are by far our most favorite projects. Then I noticed that I can't get onto my own You Tube account. Someone has changed the settings so only children can see it. Seems strange that the channel owner is blocked because he is over 18 years of age. Way over in fact. Ha!

So I put it onto a different account. Now I'm having issues with the video length as it won't accept the ping pong ball shooter since that one is over 15 min. I even did the verification and it still blocks it. Social media sucks!

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tbockman
Posted: Thursday, November 18, 2021 9:11:43 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.


When You Have Small Classes...

Sometimes a class can be a little too small and it affects the whole dynamic. Smaller classes can go either way. It can be lackluster or it can be a challenging opportunity. Such is the case for my first period. Three students are in this class and we usually get more done than say the 14 student class might.

The reason for this is quite simple and everybody can guess what it is. The teacher has more time to concentrate more energy on each student and that can make for more challenging projects with multiple learning opportunities. Student's have to also be up for that challenge.

So after a slow start to the new school year, one student in this class rises above the others in this regard. Viola is not your average 7th grader. Small of physical stature but large in her motivation to take on unusual and challenging projects, she is making a name for herself among her piers.

After the usual projects that new students make to learn their way around the shop, she showed the interest in increasing the challenge by first coming up with her own design for a ring and necklace stand. Of course I didn't bring the camera in time to catch a photo of that project and in fact, also didn't catch a picture of this one either. Thanks go to her mother for sending me this photo from home.



Viola brought in a small roughly painted chest of drawers that her little sister found at a yard sale and declared that she wanted to make a duplicate. She was even planning to paint it the same way. It requires some parts be cut on the table saw that obviously can't be done at this age. Together we broke down a cutting list and I proceeded to cut the pieces.

I know what you are thinking. You made the whole thing for her. Well, not exactly but I did have to cut these parts to size and make some of the joints. She worked on the sanding, gluing & assembly and also found and executed the designs.



Being adept at finding and manipulating images, then setting and running the laser engraver, she did a great job on the drawer fronts. I showed her how to remove the center flower and replace it on the lathe turned knobs before they were put into the drawer. I told her painting it might ruin the look that she has achieved and she agreed to try out a simple clear oil finish.

That's all it took... Ha! It went home so fast it didn't even have time to dry or for a 2nd coat and even a possible clear coat. This leaves the surface looking dry. It doesn't matter. I think it will last far into the future and she will look back on this with fond memories of wood shop.

That's always been my main goal, to give them all better memories of junior high wood shop than I got. Seriously, it's a wonder how I ended up teaching wood shop with the awful first experiences I had. She is clearly able to put some of the skills she is learning to good use. Good job Viola.

After some thought as I have been writing, I've realized how many other projects have gotten away from me this school before I could take a photo of it and do a little bragging. This project however stands out for not being on the top shelves with our other more regular projects and that has inspired others to follow Viola's lead.

As for me, I'm trying to hold on for 2 1/2 more years before I retire for good. I hate to think that this school may have a hard time finding someone dedicated and caring enough to continue what has been started here.

For now though, I have to get back to work. You see, I also have in my already hectic schedule, an unofficial "ghost" class... of (so far) all girls... who come in on their own at lunch every day. They almost always bring a friend with them (potential new recruits... Ha) and as it gets larger than most of my real classes, it all adds up to fun.

Hey, I have to literally chase them out when their cafeteria time comes around and some of them invariably return after scarfing down the menu of the day. :)

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tbockman
Posted: Friday, January 28, 2022 11:12:32 AM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
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A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

The Blippi Truck

My personal email provider changed and when we switched things the one thing that really fouled me up was when my wife switched her information with Pinterest and when I was ready to post again, I couldn't get in from my computer anymore and had to use hers. That's how I was able to make the last post.

Today I have been saving a couple of projects since the semester changed and the kids this semester seem like they were actually eager to get back to work. This 1st period project stands out as something a little more original. Honestly, I should have brought the camera sooner, but my wife's Sister & her Niece recently sent me a nice gift of a used camera that is much better than the school's. It is also small and fits in my shirt pocket.


With only two students in this class, this project went together fast and I'm just now catching up with it on film along with another project that I will be posting. The prototype wheels are the scrappy looking wood in the truck's bed. The first side that we ran, I thought I had helped map out where it would end up, but missed and it wound up going into the wheel well.

I could see the disappointment on Eli's face as he was leaving class after putting the piece he so carefully crafted which ended up ruined into the scrap box. I knew I could fix the issue and couldn't wait to remap it. I quickly cut a knew side, ran the laser, then cut the veneer layer off on the bandsaw. A little glue and some quick clamps and the side looks exactly like it should.

Eli was surprised to see it fixed the next day and we ran the other side to match after switching the measurements to fit the opposing side. After assembling the basic box truck, we attached an undercarriage. The walnut strips are keeping the axles aligned so the truck will roll straight.


He made the wheels on the drill press while I manufactured a sliding miter gauge jig to cut treads on those wheels. Then Eli safely cut the treads on the tablesaw.


While not perfect, they are for his two year old nephew who will think his uncle is a wizard for his ability to bring home such a great school project.


Not only that, but the pride in craftsmanship shows on his face. I never got to do anything like this in 6th grade.


What I do remember is that in 5th grade they brought a bunch of pre-cut scrapes of wood into class and let us assemble them with glue. I believe the teacher only let us do the nailing. It made a napkin holder which I still have today. I took 1/2" tiles and made yellow Sahuaros and put sky blue around them with brown underneath. They didn't have green. Ha!

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tbockman
Posted: Friday, January 28, 2022 12:58:34 PM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.


When You Forget to Bring the Camera...

It seems to be a fact that whenever we have a more interesting project, the camera stays home. When I finally get photos it is well into the build of Jonah's cutting board.


I know... is this really meant to be a cutting board. In this photo we are leaving the frame sides long so there will be less planer marks.


It sure turned out nice and I told Jonah that mom is never going to cut on this..


Jonah did a great job and like I thought, mom says it's too nice to cut on. I guess you can break out the chess pieces.

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tbockman
Posted: Saturday, February 12, 2022 12:44:26 PM
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0
Sleepaway Camp

I received this email I want to pass along which I will eventually remove after the season begins or if someone says the position has otherwise been filled. I hope this helps Matt! It's something I would love to do except for my age and the distance from home.

Camp Walt Whitman Woodshop Director


Hello,

My name is Matt Karner, and I am a staffing Director for Camp Walt Whitman. We are a co-ed sleepaway camp in New Hampshire that works with kids aged 7-15. We believe that it is important for our children to immerse themselves into a variety of activities from sports, hiking, and the arts. We have a woodshop on site that truly is a favorite of most of our campers. It is an amazing opportunity teaching these children what woodworking is and seeing it spark their imagination to create some amazing projects throughout the summer. At the current moment, we are looking for a Woodshop Director who can help aid and work with these kids to carry out their projects as well as leading projects for cabins as they are scheduled for the woodshop. I wanted to reach out to check to see if you had any resources where I could reach out to find someone interested in a position like this. I appreciate any help you may be able to give and look forward to hearing back from you.

Best regards,

Matt Karner
Staffing Director
Camp Walt Whitman
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tbockman
Posted: Sunday, March 13, 2022 7:04:43 PM
Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

A different miter saw

When our old saw gave out, I had the chance to get this used saw which also slides for a larger capacity. The old dust collector box had to be modified to work with the slide. I changed it up a bit too by lowering the original box and making fold out covers for when you have to cut angles.



This next photo was before it was finished, but shows how easy it is to open the covers (on both sides) so that the saw angle can be changed.

It works amazingly well and I don't get nearly as much blow back as the other box did. I can also cut wider pieces now. I'm not sure yet how much dust it will collect when set to 45 degrees, but if all other blast gate happen to be closed, it should do alright. It's when the other gates are open that every open gate slows it all down.



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tbockman
Posted: Sunday, March 13, 2022 7:31:09 PM
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member

Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

Experimenting with Powder Coat Paint

It's spring break. I watched a YouTube video the other day which showed how to use Powder Coat Paint to fill in laser etching. I called a local Powder Coat shop and found them to be almost as excited about trying this as I was. They told me that they had many discontinued colors that they would be willing to donate. When I visited, I simply wanted to try black first. After a couple of tries, I had these.



The one on the left is maple and does not have any filling. The middle one was my 2nd try with a pre-finished piece of stained pine. The one on the right is maple again with no finish. It's hard to tell from this photo, but the black powder is stuck in the grain surrounding the engraving. I tried sanding and even lacquer thinner and it is still showing in the grain.

The high gloss detracts from the final product, so a flat might look better. The engraving gets powered, then lightly packed, then rake off the excess which can be put back into the container. The piece goes back into the laser and the settings get lowered a bit, before running over it again. You need just enough heat to melt the paint into the grooves. The laser does not affect any residue left after scraping before this step.

I did have to do a second coat to make it look better.

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tbockman
Posted: Monday, March 14, 2022 3:23:49 PM
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member

Joined: 11/17/2006
Posts: 0

A big thank you goes out to Woodcraft for hosting this site.

The $1000 grant


After a dozen or so of our teachers scored this grant in a half hour's worth of investment, I had to do a work around to get this to go through. It's a long story and took a lot more time for me, but in the end the wood shop was successful, and without having a personal cell phone or having to buy from Amazon.

Thank goodness that Grainger was on their approved list of vendors or there wouldn't have been anything available for our wood shop because I don't have a cell phone which is required to get an Amazon account. Stupid reasoning on their part. The limitations of buying from Grainger were created only by my shop safety theme. Throwing in some other things like sandpaper or screws wasn't really fitting into that theme, and that is why I focused on the more expensive safety glasses.

The grants keep coming to us as other teachers here follow suit. This is all due to our state's department of education offering the opportunity to help teachers in Arizona. I'm not sure when the offer will end, but these mini-grants are very helpful to a small school like ours. Once the money runs out, and it will, there will be some sad teachers who didn't jump on it sooner. I'm hoping to see every Franklin teacher get this classroom mini grant while they still can.


I can't believe the typo... googles Ha! Goggles. I'm a dweeb. But this is what I wanted. I'm so tired of cheap safety glasses that sometimes don't even last a semester.


It appears this place takes a pretty good chunk of the amount for their efforts.


I would have liked to have a few extras for just in case. I will be telling my students that if I see or hear anything out of the ordinary, they will not be able to use the good safety glasses and will instead be issued a pair of the 99 cent one again. I may actually make them sign a statement to that effect.

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