Work Bench Fittings and Appliances – JSS1 Basic Technology Lesson Note (Second Term)

Workbench fittings are the appliances fitted to a woodwork bench before any woodwork operation begins, to hold wood firmly in place.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. define a woodwork bench and state the function of the well;
2. define woodwork bench fittings;
3. list the six woodwork bench fittings;
4. state the use of each woodwork bench fitting;
5. state the precautions to take when using a G-clamp and a sash clamp.

What is a woodwork bench?

A woodwork bench is a platform on which woodworkers perform their activities.

• Use: it carries the wood, the tools and the fittings during sawing, chiselling, planing and gluing.
• Usual size: 2.0 m long, 0.80 m wide and 0.90 m high.
• Top: the bench top is flat and strong so that the work stays steady.

What is the well of a woodwork bench?

The well is the lowered part at the centre of the woodwork bench.

• Position: the centre of the bench is lower than the edges.
• Function: it keeps the tools needed during woodwork activities.
• Safety: tools cannot easily roll or fall onto the floor or onto anyone’s feet.

What are woodwork bench fittings?

Woodwork bench fittings are the appliances fitted to the workbench before the commencement of any woodwork operation.

• Purpose: they hold wood firmly while the woodworker saws, chisels, planes or glues.
• Benefit: firm work is cut more accurately and is safer to handle.

What are the examples of woodwork bench fittings?

There are six common woodwork bench fittings: bench vice, bench stop, bench hook, G-clamp, sash clamp and F-clamp.

1. Bench vice
2. Bench stop
3. Bench hook
4. G-clamp
5. Sash clamp
6. F-clamp

What is a bench vice?

A bench vice is a cast iron appliance fixed to the side of the bench to hold wood firmly.

• Material: cast iron.
• Release lever: allows quick movement and grip.
• Position: fixed to the side of the bench.
• Use: holds the wood firmly to the side of the workbench.

What is a bench stop?

A bench stop is a small strip of wood or metal fixed on top of the bench.

• Use: prevents wood from slipping off the bench top during planing.

What is a bench hook?

A bench hook is a fitting that holds a job on the bench during cutting and chiselling.

• Use: holds jobs during cutting and chiselling.
• Protection: it also protects the bench top from damage.

What is a G-clamp?

A G-clamp is a metal clamp, shaped like the letter “G”, used to hold small jobs.

• Use: clamps small jobs to the bench while sawing or chiselling.
• Other use: holds small pieces of wood together.
• Action: applies pressure at a specific point.
• Name: it takes its name from its shape.

Precautions when using a G-clamp:

1. Place scrap wood between the jaws and the work.
2. This prevents the jaws from leaving marks on the work.

What is a sash clamp?

A sash clamp is a larger clamp used for holding and drawing wood together when assembling or gluing work.

• Use: holds and draws pieces of wood together during assembly or gluing.
• Types: light and heavy-duty types are available.

Precautions when using a sash clamp:

1. Place a piece of waste wood between the jaw and the work.
2. Otherwise, the jaw will dig in and spoil the work.

What is an F-clamp?

An F-clamp is a clamp in the form of the letter “F”, used like the G-clamp.

• Use: holds small jobs, as the G-clamp does.
• Feature: it has a quick action adjustment.

What is the difference between the woodwork bench fittings?

Each fitting holds wood in a different way, as the table shows.

Evaluation

1. Define a woodwork bench.
2. Describe the well of a woodwork bench and state its function.
3. Define woodwork bench fittings and state FIVE (5) examples.
4. Describe and state the function of the following: (a) bench vice (b) G-clamp.
5. State the precautions to take when using a sash clamp, and state one difference between an F-clamp and a sash clamp.

Assignment

Write short notes on the bench stop and the bench hook. State the use of each.