346 Glossary
commission: An amount of money, often a
percentage, paid to a salesperson for each item
that she or he sells. (10)
common nail: A fl at-headed nail used in
framing and rough construction. (7)
compass: A layout tool used to scribe arcs
and circles. It has two legs that can be adjusted to
various angles. One leg ends in a point; the other
holds a marking device such as a pencil. (4)
compass saw: A small saw used to cut
curves or small openings in stock. Similar to a
keyhole saw. (4)
compound miter: A combination miter cut
and bevel cut. (6)
compound miter saw: A type of miter
saw that cuts bevels and miters, and can make
compound cuts (bevel plus miter). (5)
computer-aided design (CAD): Design
and drawing done with the use of computer
software. Computer-aided design is widely
used in construction, architecture, and
engineering to create drawings and analyze
designs. (10)
computer-integrated manufacturing
(CIM): A manufacturing method in which
computers control the entire process, from
design through manufacture. (10)
computer numerical control (CNC):
A method of controlling the movement of
machine tools by instructions stored on
microprocessors. (10)
concealed hinge: A hinge designed in such
a way that it is not visible when the door is
closed. (9)
coping saw: A saw that has a replaceable
blade fastened in a U-shaped frame. Commonly
used to cut curves in stock that is 1″ or less in
thickness. (4)
cove: An inside curve or concave shape
formed on an edge, surface, cylinder, or
molding. (6)
crackle fi nish: A fi nish that resembles an
old varnished or painted wood surface with
many small cracks in it. (9)
crosscut saw: A saw designed for cutting
across the grain of wood. (4)
cut: The tooth pattern of a fi le. (4)
D
dado joint: A joint formed by cutting a
square-cornered recess (a dado) across one piece
of stock and fi tting another piece into it. (7)
depth stop: A device attached to a drill bit or
other cutting tool to limit the depth of the cut. (5)
detail sander: A handheld power sander
with a small triangular pad that enables it to
get into tight corners without damaging other
surfaces. (5)
dimension line: On a drawing, a line with
an arrowhead at each end; used to indicate
where a dimension begins and ends. (3)
direct numerical control (DNC): A system
of controls that directly connected a computer
to a machine, eliminating the need for punched
cards or tape. This process was an early type of
computer numerical control. (10)
disc sander. A power sander with a fl at,
round abrasive pad that moves in a circular
direction. Disc sanders come in portable and
stationary models. (5)
distressed fi nish: A fi nish that creates the
illusion that a wood piece has experienced wear
and tear over a long period of time. (9)
dividend: Money that a business pays out
on a regular basis to its shareholders. (10)
divider: A layout tool used to step off
distances or to scribe arcs and circles. It has two
legs that can be adjusted to various angles. Both
legs may end in a point, or one leg may hold a
pencil (pencil dividers). (4)
dovetail joint: A joint in which wedge-
shaped projections fi t into matching recesses. (7)
dowel point: A metal cylinder with a fl ange
and a sharp center point. It is used to mark the
location of a hole for a dowel joint. (7)
drill press: A stationary power machine
with a vertically mounted drill bit that is raised
and lowered toward a table. The drill press is
used to drill holes in wood and other materials.
With various attachments, it can also be used
for sanding, routing, shaping, and mortising. (6)
drum sander: A power sander with the
abrasive material covering a rotating cylinder,
or drum). (6)
dry assembly: An assembly in which
the parts of a product are fi tted together and
clamped, but no adhesive is used. Also called a
trial assembly. (7)