Wood Technology

Question 1

What are the features of a deciduous tree?

Answer 1

Hardwood
Leaves fall off
Broad leaves
Seeds in nuts/berries
Slow growing

Question 2

What are the features of a coniferous tree?

Answer 2

Softwood
Evergreen
Needle-like leaves
Seeds in pine cones
Grows quickly
Wood is a lighter colour

Question 3

Give at least 3 examples of Irish hardwood trees

Answer 3

Oak
Ash
Beech
Birch
Elm
Horse chestnut
Spanish chestnut
Lime
Cherry
Sycamore
Maple

Question 4

Give at least 3 examples of Irish softwood trees

Answer 4

Yew
Larch
Scots pine
Douglas fir
Norway spruce
Sitka spruce
Lodgepole pine

Question 5

The outside of the tree

Answer 5

Outer bark

Question 6

The 2nd layer inside the tree

Answer 6

Bast

Question 7

The 3rd layer inside the tree

Answer 7

Cork cambium

Question 8

The 4th layer inside the tree

Answer 8

Sapwood

Question 9

The 5th layer inside the tree

Answer 9

Heartwood

Question 10

The center of the tree

Answer 10

Pith

Question 11

What does the outer bark do?

Answer 11

Protects the inside of the tree from:
Weather
Animals
Insects
Fungi
It also keeps moisture inside the tree.

Question 12

What does the bast do?

Answer 12

Transports sap (sugar and dissolved nutrients) from the leaves to the rest of the tree.

Question 13

What does the cork cambium do?

Answer 13

Where growth occurs
Also transports water from the roots to the leaves

Question 14

What does the sapwood do?

Answer 14

Transports water and nutrients up and down the trunk

Question 15

What is the heartwood?

Answer 15

The oldest part of the tree
Durable
Has no function

Question 16

What are Ray cells?

Answer 16

Lines radiating from the pith
Transports sap between the centre and outside of the trunk

Question 17

What is the pith?

Answer 17

The centre of the trunk

Question 18

What are the steps of sharpening a chisel?

Answer 18

Using an oilstone move the blade back and forth in a figure of 8 process.
Flip it on its back and move back and forth to remove burr.

Question 19

What are some steps in the process of applying finishes?

Answer 19

All marks and scratches are removed with sandpaper.
Nails and pins are punched below the surface.
Nail and pin holes are filled with wood filler.
Brush off all dust.
Apply finish.

Question 20

What is a chamfer and how is it made?

Answer 20

Where am edge is cut at a 45° angle, it is made with a thumb gauge.

Question 22

Name 2 methods of seasoning wood

Answer 22

Natural seasoning
Kiln seasoning

Question 23

What is the process of natrual seasoning?

Answer 23

Boards placed in an open shed with sloped roof.
Boards are stacked and separated with stickers to allow airflow.
Block peirs and batons suspension suspend the board off the ground.

Question 24

What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural seasoning?

Answer 24

Advantages:
Simple and low tech.
Little Labour required.
Low cost.
Low energy.

Disadvantages:
Slow drying (3-6 months).
Weather dependant.
Only dries 18-20%
Large area needed.

Question 25

Describe the process of kiln seasoning.

Answer 25

Boards are stacked on a trolley.
Hot steam in the kiln heats the boards through the middle.
Steam keeps the kiln moist.
Vents allow in fresh air. Once the boards are fully heated moisture levels reduce.
Air absorbs the moisture.
This process is repeated.

Question 26

What are the advantages and disadvantages of kiln seasoning?

Answer 26

Advantages:
Boards dry quicker.
Low moisture content (10%).
All wood is seasoned accurately.
Defects minimised.
Disadvantages:
Expensive.
High energy.
Requires supervision.

Question 27

Lathe, set into a block that can be moved along the bed.

Answer 27

Tool rest

Question 28

Lathe, where the motor and drive center is located.

Answer 28

Headstock

Question 29

Lathe, the opposite side of the headstock.

Answer 29

Tailstock

Question 30

Describe how to prepare a blank.

Answer 30

On 2 pieces of wood groove 2 sections using a saw and chisel.
Glue both pieces together to form one piece with a hole.