STANLEY® Jr. - Stanley Jr. Woodworking is Awesome: Projects, Skills, and Ideas for Young Makers--12 Fun DIY Projects for Ages 8+

STANLEY Jr.

IS AWESOME!

PROJECTS,
SKILLS,
AND IDEAS
FOR YOUNG
MAKERS

CHRIS PETERSON

Welcome to the wonderful world of woodworking! Youre about to discover what makes woodworking so purely awesome.

First of all, its just plain fun. Imagine taking a couple boring boards, a few simple screws, some glue, a couple of tools, and presto! A brand-new creation you made all by yourself. Learn the basics of woodworking and you can make things that will help you make other things, such as a tool carrier (youll find a handy one shown .

If youre worried that any of these projects are a little over your head, dont be. Even if you havent worked with wood before, the projects in this book are absolutely doable for beginners, and theyll give you the chance to learn while you make. In fact, one of the fantastic things about crafting these or any other woodworking projects is that youre going to gain skills that are yours for life.

More than anything, building something with your own two hands can be mighty satisfying. You know you can do it, and everyone else does, too.

Youre probably eager to get started on your first woodworking adventure. That makes sense; theres a lot of fun just waiting to happen. But you should really take the time to read the first two chapters in the book. Youll find the most important section, safety, is right up front in chapter one. There are many sharp objects and tools in a woodshop that can hurt you if used incorrectly, so please dont skip this section. Of course, you also need to know a little bit about those tools if youre going to use them in the right way, so youll find a tool guide that gets right to the point as well as an explanation of different woods and their best uses. To round things out, there are directions for some basic techniques every woodworker should know to finish projects as quickly and accurately as possible.

Once you have all the basics under your belt, its time to build something. Go ahead and flip the book around and find your very first project.

Each project is labeled with a skill level, but you can try any of them. The harder ones just require a little bit more attention to detail, which might mean getting some help from Mom, Dad, or another adult. No matter what, get in the habit of cleaning up after yourself and putting all tools back where they belong.

Good luck, and get making!

Tool Bench, see

Tool Box, see

Building-block storage, see

Parking Garage, see

WOODSHOP STEAM

Learn While Youre Doing with STEAM

The best way to learn anything is while youre doing something you really like. Thats why youll find some easy STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) lessons throughout this book. They wont seem like lessons because theyre so darn interesting, useful, and fun, but dont be surprised if you get better grades because of them!

THE KIDS WORKSHOP

Youre on your way to becoming a woodworker, so you should have a space to do your projects. Even if its in a shed or part of a larger room, a dedicated woodworking workshop will be your way to set things just how you like. The basics for any woodworking shop are: a flat, level work surface, a place for every tool, an uncluttered floor, and a place to store the actual wood. Place your tools exactly where theyll be needed most, in obvious spots that make them simple to locate. Spend some time deciding where youll store particular tools, such as bar clamps. That one simple step will make all your projects a lot easier to construct.

You also need a way to organize the smaller bits and pieces, such as screws and nails. Label like crazy, so that you know exactly what youre grabbing, and you can tell when youre out of an important or common piece of hardware. Its also nice to have a portable work surfaces, such as sawhorses or movable worktables. Chances are, your dad or mom already has some of these in the garage or workshop.

Use the information in this chapter to set up your ideal workspace. It will add to how much you enjoy woodworkingwhich should always be loads of fun.

SAFETY FIRST

Before you start any project, make sure youre working safely. Getting hurt can take all the fun out of woodworking. Make good safety practices and equipment second nature and youll be setting yourself up for success. That starts with having the right safety gear.

Safety glasses. Shatterproof safety glasses are a mustfrom the moment you walk in to the shop to whenever you shut down for the day. Leave them in the shop on their own hook.

Ear protection. If youre working in a busy wood shop around power tools, a good pair of noise-blocking earphones or earplugs helps prevent hearing loss over time.

Gloves. You dont usually need gloves for working on wood with tools, but you should wear them to move lumber and carry projects youve finished. They can also help you grip tools and materials.

Dust mask. Wear a mask any time youre sawing or sanding. Small particles of wood dust arent good for your lungs!

It is safer for young and inexperienced woodworkers to work with hand tools rather than power tools. A few additional basic safety practices will ensure that your woodworking projects are as injury-free as they are fun.

WORKSHOP SAFETY RULES