Wood Lathe Parts and Uses of Wood Turning for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 17 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Wood Work
Topic: WOOD TURNING; Parts of the lathe machines and
Subject Matter: their uses, wood turning tools, uses, sketches, and how to prepare wood for turning
Previous Lesson: Upholstery Plat

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the main parts of a wood lathe machine.
• State the uses of each part of the wood lathe.
• List common wood turning tools.
• Explain the uses of various wood turning tools.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of proper tool identification and use in wood turning.
• Recognise the need for safety precautions when operating a wood lathe.

Psychomotor Domain

• Sketch common wood turning tools accurately.
• Outline the steps involved in preparing wood for turning.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Wood Work textbook for SS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Diagrams or charts showing parts of a wood lathe
• Actual wood lathe machine (if available) or a detailed model
• Various wood turning tools (e.g., roughing gouge, spindle gouge, skew chisel, parting tool, scrapers)
• Examples of turned wooden items
• Wood pieces for demonstration
• Sketching materials (drawing books, pencils)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it introduces students to the fundamental machine and tools for creating rotational forms in woodworking. Understanding the wood lathe and its tools is crucial for developing advanced woodworking skills, enabling students to produce various turned items and contribute to furniture making and craft. It also lays the groundwork for safe and effective operation of power tools in the workshop.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils/students should have basic knowledge of woodworking hand tools, different types of wood, and general workshop safety practices.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

WOOD TURNING; Parts of the Lathe Machine and Their Uses

Parts of the Wood Lathe Machine

A wood lathe is a machine tool that rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, or deformation with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object which has symmetry about an axis of rotation.

The main parts of a wood lathe machine include:

1. Headstock: This is the fixed part of the lathe that houses the motor, spindle, and drive mechanism. It holds the drive centre (spur centre) which rotates the wood.
2. Tailstock: This part slides along the bed and can be locked in position. It supports the other end of the workpiece with a live centre, preventing vibration and ensuring stability during turning. It also contains a quill for drilling operations.
3. Bed: The bed is the main frame of the lathe, typically made of cast iron, providing a stable base for all other components. The headstock is fixed to one end, and the tailstock and tool rest slide along it.
4. Tool Rest: This adjustable support allows the turner to brace the turning tools against the workpiece, providing leverage and control during cutting. It can be moved and locked into various positions.
5. Motor: Provides the power to rotate the spindle and, consequently, the workpiece.
6. Speed Control: Allows the operator to adjust the rotational speed of the spindle, which is essential for different turning operations and wood types.
7. Switch: Used to turn the lathe machine on and off.
8. Legs/Stand: Supports the entire lathe machine, raising it to a comfortable working height.

Wood Turning Tools and Their Uses

Wood turning tools are specialised chisels and gouges designed for shaping wood on a lathe. They are typically long-handled for better control.

Common wood turning tools include:

1. Gouges:
   1. Roughing Gouge: Used for quickly reducing square stock to a cylindrical shape. It has a deep flute and a robust edge.
   2. Spindle Gouge: Used for shaping details on spindle work, such as coves and beads. It has a shallower flute than a roughing gouge.
   3. Bowl Gouge: Designed for hollowing out bowls and other faceplate turning projects. It has a deep, U-shaped flute and a thick shaft for strength.
2. Chisels:
   1. Skew Chisel: A versatile tool with an angled cutting edge. It is used for planing cuts, forming beads, and creating V-grooves.
   2. Parting Tool: Used to cut off the workpiece from the lathe or to create grooves of specific widths. It has a narrow, rectangular cross-section.
3. Scrapers:
   1. Round Nose Scraper: Used for smoothing concave curves and general shaping.
   2. Square Nose Scraper: Used for flattening surfaces and creating square shoulders.
   3. Diamond Point Scraper: Used for fine detail work and creating V-grooves.

Sketches of Wood Turning Tools

Students should be able to sketch the following tools, showing their general shape and cutting edge:

1. Roughing Gouge
2. Spindle Gouge
3. Bowl Gouge
4. Skew Chisel
5. Parting Tool
6. Round Nose Scraper

How to Prepare Wood for Turning

Proper preparation of wood is essential for safe and successful turning.

1. Select Appropriate Wood: Choose wood that is free from knots, cracks, and other defects that could weaken it during turning. Consider the grain direction and moisture content.
2. Cut to Approximate Length and Square Ends: Cut the wood blank slightly longer than the desired finished piece. Ensure the ends are cut square to allow for proper mounting.
3. Find the Centre: Locate the exact centre of each end of the wood blank. This can be done by drawing diagonals from corner to corner on square stock, or using a centre finder.
4. Mount the Wood on the Lathe:
   1. Between Centres: For spindle turning, the wood is mounted between the drive centre in the headstock and the live centre in the tailstock. The drive centre bites into one end, and the live centre supports the other.
   2. Faceplate: For bowl or platter turning (faceplate turning), the wood is screwed onto a faceplate, which then attaches to the headstock spindle.
5. Perform Safety Checks: Before starting the lathe, ensure the workpiece is securely mounted, the tool rest is properly positioned and locked, and there are no obstructions. Adjust the speed control to a low setting initially.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Explanation, Question and Answer, Practical Activity (sketching, observation)

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Review/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and briefly reviews previous lessons on woodworking machines. The teacher then introduces the concept of wood turning and the wood lathe machine as a specialised tool for shaping wood into cylindrical or spherical forms.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and recall previous knowledge about woodworking machines. They listen attentively to the introduction of wood turning.

Learning Point: Introduction to wood turning

Step 2: Identification of Lathe Parts

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays diagrams or, if available, an actual wood lathe. The teacher points to each major part of the lathe (headstock, tailstock, bed, tool rest, motor, speed control, switch, legs) and names it clearly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the diagrams or actual lathe, listen to the teacher, and identify the parts as they are named.

Learning Point: Lathe machine parts identification

Step 3: Uses of Lathe Parts

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the function and use of each identified part of the wood lathe, emphasising how they work together to facilitate wood turning. The teacher encourages questions from students.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanations, ask questions for clarification, and participate in a brief discussion about the functions of each part.

Learning Point: Functions of lathe components

Step 4: Introduction to Turning Tools

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Classification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various wood turning tools (gouges, chisels, scrapers). The teacher names each tool and briefly describes its category.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the tools, listen to their names and categories, and handle them carefully if permitted.

Learning Point: Types of turning tools

Step 5: Uses and Sketching of Turning Tools

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the specific uses of each turning tool (e.g., roughing gouge for initial shaping, skew chisel for planing). The teacher then guides students to sketch some of the common tools in their notebooks, highlighting key features.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the uses of each tool and then sketch the tools as guided by the teacher, paying attention to details.

Learning Point: Turning tool uses and sketches

Step 6: Wood Preparation for Turning

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and demonstrates the steps involved in preparing wood for turning, including selecting suitable wood, cutting to size, finding the centre, and mounting the wood on the lathe (between centres or faceplate). Safety checks are emphasised.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and listen to the explanations of wood preparation steps and safety precautions.

Learning Point: Wood turning preparation steps

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Name three main parts of a wood lathe machine.
2. State one use for the headstock and one for the tailstock.
3. List two types of wood turning gouges.
4. Describe one step in preparing wood for turning.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding lathe parts and tools

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on wood lathe parts, turning tools, and wood preparation into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson information

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of understanding the wood lathe and its tools for safe and effective wood turning. The teacher reminds students about safety precautions in the workshop.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Reinforcement of key concepts

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook and bring them to the next class:

1. Draw and label any three parts of a wood lathe machine.
2. Sketch a roughing gouge and a skew chisel, stating one use for each.
3. Explain why it is important to select wood free from defects for turning.
4. List three safety precautions to observe when preparing to use a wood lathe.

Lesson Keywords

• Wood lathe – A machine that rotates wood to allow shaping with cutting tools.
• Headstock – The fixed part of the lathe housing the motor and spindle.
• Tailstock – The movable part that supports the end of the workpiece.
• Bed – The main frame of the lathe along which components slide.
• Tool rest – A support for the turning tools during operation.
• Gouge – A curved-edge turning tool used for hollowing and shaping.
• Chisel – A straight-edge turning tool used for planing and detail work.
• Scraper – A turning tool used for smoothing and refining surfaces.
• Turning – The process of shaping wood on a lathe.
• Spindle – The rotating shaft in the headstock that holds the workpiece.
• Faceplate – A circular metal plate used to mount wood for bowl turning.

Differentiation

For students who require additional support, provide pre-labelled diagrams of the wood lathe and turning tools. Encourage peer-to-peer learning where stronger students can assist in identifying parts and sketching tools. For advanced learners, challenge them to research different types of wood lathes (e.g., mini lathes, industrial lathes) or explore more specialised turning tools and their applications.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further visual understanding, students can search on YouTube for:

• “wood lathe parts and functions”
• “basic wood turning tools explained”
• “how to prepare wood for turning”