Exam Style Questions: Wood Processes Flashcards
Which one of the following would be best suited to construct a lightweight frame
being made on a budget? (1 mark)
- Dovetail joint
- Half lap joint
- Comb joint
- Mortise and tenon
Half lap joint
Name two holes that could be drilled before inserting a dome headed screw (2 marks)
- Pilot hole
- Clearance hole
Explain how the manufacturer could have increased efficiency when machining
the traditional wood joints (2 marks)
Award 1 mark for a suitable method and a maximum of 2 marks for relevant
explanatory points
Make parts/joints in batches (1).
Avoid time wasted setting up machines (1), workers can check easily for consistency (1), workers become faster with practice (1).
Use of jigs (1).
Help speed up the marking out (1) and cutting processes (1) as well as reduced human error (1) and increase consistency (1).
Give two reasons why woods may need to be steamed before forming (2 marks)
- Steaming softens the fibres of wood making them less likely to rupture, tear or break.
- The process of softening wood makes it more pliable and easier to bend and shape e.g. in a former.
Name one factor that would require the speed of rotation set on a wood lathe to be changed (1 mark)
- Diameter/size of the workpiece
- Type of material
- Stage of making process (i.e. sanding speed would be fast, parting off would be slow) (1)
Explain two reasons why you would choose to turn with a faceplate or chuck as opposed to turning between centres (4 marks)
Award 1 mark for each relevant point up to a maximum of 2 marks.
- A wider variety of shapes are viable (1) because the tailstock is not in the way of
the cutting tool. (1) - The shape and form of the product required (1), faceplate holds workpiece more securely with screws (1).
- Product is hollow at one end (1), chuck allows the workpiece to be held in place
where there is a void (1).
State two main purposes of using a former to laminate wood (2 marks)
- Apply even pressure
- Hold laminate in a given shape as glue cures
Steam bending and laminating are techniques used to form woods. Evaluate the similarities and differences between these two forming processes (6 marks)
Similarities:
- Create organic/curved forms - Time consuming processes (preparation and/or drying time)
Differences:
- Lamination uses adhesives whereas steam bending uses heat and moisture
- Steam bending forms a single piece of timber as opposed to thin layers of
ply
- Formers for lamination require uniform pressure
- Laminating is a more precise process whereas steam bending is more
organic; each steam bent form will be slightly different
- Steam bending requires a power source whereas laminating does not
unless using the vacuum method
- Lamination produces a composite material
- Wood cannot be steam bent across the grain
- Steam bend wood is prone to twisting; laminated wood is very stable
- Laminating increases the strength of the material with the use of adhesives;
laminated layers can be glued with the grain running in alternating directions
to give strength in every direction
Name one suitable application for each of these jointing methods (3 marks)
- Dovetail joint
- Half-lap joint
- Mortise and tenon
Dovetail joint – Drawers / cabinets / traditional furniture (1)
Half-lap joint – Frames / doors (1)
Mortise and tenon – Traditional building/construction / tables / chairs (1)
Accept any alternative suitable application.
Explain the purpose of the follower wheel (2 marks)
Award 1 mark for a relevant point and a further 1 mark for a relevant explanation.
- Follower wheel is designed to run along the edge of a workpiece/template/jig (1) to ensure that the cutting blade stays a set distance from the workpiece (1).
- Follower wheels run along the edge of a workpiece (1) and can move freely to prevent burning (1).
Explain two ways in which a traditional, handmade joining method, used on a one-off prototype, could be scaled up for mass production (4 marks)
Award 1 mark for a relevant point and a further 1 mark for a relevant explanation.
- Use of jigs (1) to speed up manufacture / increase efficiency / reduce errors (1).
- Replace the traditional joint with a KDF (1) to make joint easy to manufacture using CNC / to make the furniture flat-pack which is more user-friendly (1).
- Use of machinery/power tools (1), to speed up manufacture (1).
Explain one advantage of each the following features on a wood screw (6 marks)
Countersunk
Self-tapping
Twin drive thread
Award 1 mark for each point and a further 1 mark for a relevant explanation.
Countersunk:
- Head of the screw sits flush to the workpiece (1) so screw head does not
catch/interfere with other features of a product / can easily disguised/filled
to hide joint (1).
Self-tapping:
- No need to drill pilot/clearance holes (1) which reduces machining time (1).
Twin drive threads:
- Drives into the workpiece twice as fast (1) which speeds up manufacture (1).
Describe one feature of a coach bolt that makes assembly easy (2 marks)
Award 1 mark for a correct point and further 1 mark for a relevant explanation.
- Square section below domed head (1) embeds in to the wood and stops the bolt from spinning during assembly (1).
- The shaft of the bolt requires one clearance hole (1) which is easily machined with a drill (1).
Describe one feature of a coach bolt that makes disassembly difficult (2 marks)
Award 1 mark for a correct point and further 1 mark for a relevant explanation.
Coach bolts have a domed head (1) which makes them difficult/impossible to remove from the head of the bolt (1).
Evaluate each of the three following holding methods used when turning on a wood lathe. Refer to appropriate examples as well as the benefits and limitations of each method to support your answer (6 marks)
- Turning between centres
- Faceplate
- Chuck
Faceplate - can be used to shape and form bowls/domes. Workpiece can/will have hemispherical/circular features. Irregular shaped pieces of wood can also be fastened to a faceplate and allow a circular feature to be turned on its surface. Screws must be used to fasten the workpiece; a secure method but one which can increase risk of accident if screws are accidentally hit with a chisel. Screw holes must be covered/filled/removed.
Turning between centres – can be used to form spindles, legs etc. Concentric profile can be turned along the length of a piece of wood.
Chuck – allows for a wood piece to be held without a need for screws or support from the tailstock. Also suited to bowl manufacture and objects where the intrusion of screw holes in the product may prove unsightly. Size of workpiece is restricted by size of some chucks.
