Workshop Basics

1. Along with beeswax what finishing product comes from bugs?

Danish oil

Aniline dye

Shellac

Tung oil

2. When a board warps out of flat along its edge, the defect is called:

Cup

Twist

Crook

Bow

Technically, a “crooked” board is one with edges that are not flat, lengthwise. When a board is not flat across its width, it is cupped. Bowing is a deviation from flatness along the length of the faces. Twisting means all four corners of a board do not lie in the same plane.

Explanation

Technically, a “crooked” board is one with edges that are not flat, lengthwise. When a board is not flat across its width, it is cupped. Bowing is a deviation from flatness along the length of the faces. Twisting means all four corners of a board do not lie in the same plane.

3. Which of the following is NOT a lathe tool:

Roughing gouge

Fluting chisel

Bowl gouge

Skew chisel

4. Which of the following woods is most resistant to decay?

Douglas fir

Black walnut

Ash

Hickory

Although Douglas fir is commonly used for treated lumber, and plenty of hickory axe handles and ash baseball bats are used outdoors, black walnut is naturally more decay-resistant than the other three species.

Explanation

Although Douglas fir is commonly used for treated lumber, and plenty of hickory axe handles and ash baseball bats are used outdoors, black walnut is naturally more decay-resistant than the other three species.

5. If you own a 16-in. band saw, its size refers to the diameter of the blade wheels.

True

False

The 16-in. designation refers to the “throat width,” which is the distance between the blade and the column of the saw’s frame. On a two-wheel band saw, the wheel diameters will be larger than the throat width.

Explanation

The 16-in. designation refers to the “throat width,” which is the distance between the blade and the column of the saw’s frame. On a two-wheel band saw, the wheel diameters will be larger than the throat width.

6. What is the chemical composition of yellow carpenter's glue?

Polymer emulsion

Protein dispersion acrylate

Polyvinyl acetate emulsion

Polyolefin vinyl acrylic

Yellow wood glue is also known as modified PVA glue, or polyvinyl acetate emulsion. Incidentally, white school glue is also PVA glue.

Explanation

Yellow wood glue is also known as modified PVA glue, or polyvinyl acetate emulsion. Incidentally, white school glue is also PVA glue.

7. A 12-volt lithium ion battery produces the same amount of peak power as a 12-volt Ni-Cad battery.

True

False

Battery chemistry does not influence overall power output. Lithium batteries weigh less than comparable Ni-Cads, and they run longer before needing a recharge, but they aren’t more powerful.

Explanation

Battery chemistry does not influence overall power output. Lithium batteries weigh less than comparable Ni-Cads, and they run longer before needing a recharge, but they aren’t more powerful.

8. Denatured alcohol, the best solvent for shellac, is actually methanol.

True

False

Denatured alcohol is a poisonous form of ethyl (drinking) alcohol.

Explanation

Denatured alcohol is a poisonous form of ethyl (drinking) alcohol.

9. What is the equation, when measuring in inches, for calculating board footage?

Length x width x thickness divided by 144.

Length x width x thickness divided by 12.

Length x width x thickness times 12.

Length x width x thickness times 144.

When all the board values are measured in inches, multiply length times width times thickness to determine total cubic inches of volume, then divide by 144—the number of cubic inches in one board foot. Your answer will equal the total number of board feet.

Explanation

When all the board values are measured in inches, multiply length times width times thickness to determine total cubic inches of volume, then divide by 144—the number of cubic inches in one board foot. Your answer will equal the total number of board feet.

10. What is the most controversial sawing operation on a radial arm saw?

Crosscutting

Ripping

Angle-cutting

Dadoing

Most radial arm saws are not outfitted with a splitter or adequate anti-kickback provisions behind the blade to make ripping a safe operation. Without a splitter, the wood kerf can close around the blade and bind it, leading to a kickback.

Explanation

Most radial arm saws are not outfitted with a splitter or adequate anti-kickback provisions behind the blade to make ripping a safe operation. Without a splitter, the wood kerf can close around the blade and bind it, leading to a kickback.