Beginning fabrication class students generally have no idea what all the available tools and clamps are called or used for. Teaching them what each tool is called and how that tool can be used is important. Throw in showing the students where the tools are kept in the shop. There are often many variations of tools that vary for specific reasons, and an uninformed student may choose the wrong version if they haven't been taught what the variations are and for. Coming back with a Quick Grip when a C-Clamp is needed is one example.
Clamps come in many forms, and while all of them may work fine for simple clamping challenges, some work better than others for difficult clamping challenges. Show the students all the different clamps, and the names for them as well as the specific benefits and situations where they might be best used: T bar clamp, C clamp, F clamp, quick grip, spring clamp, hand screw clamp, parallel bar clamp, gear klamp, belt clamp.
Hand held power tools are also worth mentioning and demonstrating. Router, plunge router, trim router, the variety of router bits available, jig saw, drills and drivers, circular saw, sanders, multitool, domino, biscuit jointer, Lamello jointer, etc..
Squares come in many forms. All will work fine for drawing simple 90 degree lines or checking corners for 90 degrees. Some squares have multiple functions and it helps to demonstrate the assorted functions to the students. Try square, Sliding T Bevel, Combination square, Speed square, Framing square, T-Square. Check for square before relying on the last two.
Drill bits come in many forms. Knowing the name of each type, and use scenario for each type is critical toward using the appropriate bit for the material being drilled into. Spade bit, spur bit, Forstner bit, twist bit. It is also useful to know about plug cutters and stepped drills. There are specialty bits for drilling into masonry/bricks/cement, plastics, and glass.
Show them the portable drill guide. Useful for drilling accurate 90 degree or specific angled holes in the middle of panels where the drill press can't reach.
The Dowelling Jig. No, it is not a dance. Ours are self centering tools to make drilling a hole perfectly centered and aligned to your mark in the edge (or narrow face) of a board. Don't forget the drill centers. They are useful for lining up holes between parts when using dowels to connect them.
Screw Drivers: Slotted, phillips, allen, star (torx), triangle. Knowing the names and look of each unique driver type, along with where they can be found is critical. This is a great opportunity to talk about different types of screws.
Lathe tools: Round nose, Skew, Parting tool, Gouge, specialty. Live and dead centers. Lathe wrench. Faceplates and how to choose the right size for a project, What they look like. Where they are kept. How and when they are used. In what conditions should gouges NOT be used? Why? Face Shields and other safety tips like no loose clothing, keeping long hair tied back, remove loose jewelry, etc. should be mentioned and stressed,
Wrenches: Socket sets, open end, closed end, ratcheting wrenches, crescent (adjustable) wrenches, extensions, metric vs imperial, plyers, vise grips, tin snips, left and right aviation snips.
Tap and Die sets. Versions for cutting threads in wood.
Wood chisels. Socket chisels. Cold chisels.
Drafting (layout) tools: Compasses, 45 degree and 60-30 triangles, adjustable triangle, speed square, circle templates, ellipse templates, french curves, protractors,
Subsets of all the tools can be introduced to students daily. On the following class day test them over the previous set, and introduce a new subset. Repeat until all the tools have been shown and explained. From then on it helps save time when students know what you or they want and where it is. No more surprises when a student comes back with something other than what you asked them for.
Some related educational articles:
The Joinery Box. Not about a box.
Making Projects vs Making Samples.
Calculating the Actual Cost of Projects.
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