Test Your Knowledge Questions. Designed to
reinforce the material covered in the chapter.
Curricular Connections. Activities designed to
relate the book’s content to other curriculum, such
as language, mathematics, science, and social
studies.
Safety Notes. Identify situations or practices that
could result in personal injury or damage if proper
safety procedures are not followed.
On the Job. Brief profiles of the job specialties
found in the construction field. Provides exposure
to different career opportunities.
120
Section 1 Preparing to Build
Summary
Hand tools are essential to the work of the
carpenter. As a skilled worker, the carpenter
must carefully select the kind, type, and size of
tools that best suit personal requirements. The
carpenter works with measuring and layout tools,
such as rules and squares. The most common
carpentry tool is the claw hammer used to nail
wooden building components. The carpenter also
uses hand saws; smoothing tools, such as planes;
prying tools; and clamping tools. Experienced
carpenters take pride in their tools and keep them
in good working condition. This may involve
cleaning, adjusting, sharpening, and repairing.
Test Your Knowledge
Answer the following questions on a separate piece of
paper. Do not write in this book.
1. A standard folding wood rule is ______ feet
long.
2. List fi ve uses of the framing or rafter square.
3. The outside edge of the back side of a framing
square is graduated in what fractions of an
inch?
A. 1/10″
B. 1/12″
C. 1/16″
4. Where would you fi nd the rafter table on a
framing square? What would you use it for?
5. When checking structural members to see if
they are horizontal or vertical (plumb), what
tool(s) should be used?
6. A backsaw is used for fi ne work. It usually
has ______.
A. 8 points per inch.
B. 8–10 points per inch.
C. 12–14 points per inch.
D. 14–16 points per inch.
7. The bevel of a block plane blade is turned
______.
A. up
B. down
8. The size of a claw hammer is determined by
the ______.
A. length of the handle
B. length of the head
C. weight of the entire hammer
D. weight of the head
9. Name the different types of claw hammers
and explain the purpose of each.
10. True or False? Never strike a wood chisel
with a mallet.
11. Where would a carpenter use tin snips?
12. How are sizes of slotted screwdrivers and
Phillips screwdrivers determined?
13. The operation of fi ling off the points of saw
teeth until all are level is called ______.
Curricular Connections
Social Studies. Prepare a report on the histor-
ical development of woodworking tools used
by the carpenter. Reference books on wood-
working and encyclopedias will contain
helpful material. Make a report to your class
using visual aids to show students pictures
and drawings of early tools. If possible,
secure actual examples from a collector.
Mathematics. Using reference books and
manufacturers’ catalogs, prepare a list of
hand tools you believe the carpenter will
need for rough framing and exterior fi nish of
a typical residential structure. Determine the
cost of equipping a carpenter with a complete
hand tool kit based on your list. Take the list
to a hardware store or home improvement
center and fi nd the cost of each tool. Add up
the costs and report to the class.
Outside Assignments
1. Claw hammers are available in different
weightsandconstructions(onepiece,wooden
handle, fi berglass handle). Find a carpenter
or a knowledgeable clerk at a hardware store
or home improvement center. Research the
uses and the advantages/disadvantages of
each type. Based on your research, choose a
hammer with a weight and construction that
would be suitable for you to use in framing a
house.
2. Research the proper method for cutting a
mortise in a door jamb, using a wood chisel
and mallet. Make a poster showing the step-
by-step procedure.
800
Section 5 Special Construction
Safety Note
Dealing with hazardous materials is a
concern in every remodeling project. In a house
built before 1978, painted surfaces should be
tested for lead content. Lead-based paint was
banned in 1978. Kits for testing lead content
in paint are available. Lead-contaminated
materials should be professionally stripped
before use. Some experts discourage reuse of
such material and suggest it be disposed of
in an approved landfi ll. Other possible hazards
include chlordane contaminated lumber, lead
solder in old pipes, and asbestos in pipe insu-
lation, old fl ooring tile, and exterior siding.
26.11.1 Fall Protection
OSHA fall protection rules allow residential
carpenters and contractors to write their own
fall protection plans. The plan has to meet a set
of guidelines supplied by OSHA.
The residential plan, which applies at heights
of 6′ or more, must be specifi c to the site, properly
supervised, and only applied in situations where
conventional fall protection procedures would
cause a greater hazard than the work itself.
Safety Note
The OSHA regulations covering actions on
scaffolding, stairs, ladders, roofs, and other
high surfaces, such as top plates, are impor-
tant to remodelers. Contact a local OSHA
offi ce or write Superintendent of Documents,
U. S. Government Printing Offi ce, Washington
DC 20402. Ask for Code of Federal Regula-
tions (CFR) Title 29, Part 1926.500. The title
is Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the
Construction Industry; Final Rule.
ON THE JOB
Asbestos Removal Technician
For many years, the mineral fi ber asbestos was
used for fi reproofi ng, pipe insulation, and other appli-
cations in buildings. It is no longer used in construc-
tion since airborne particles of the material have been
shown to cause cancer and other diseases of the lungs.
Many older buildings have large amounts of asbestos
in them, which poses danger to workers involved in
demolition or remodeling work. This material must be
removed for health and safety of workers and occu-
pants. Asbestos contamination has been a particular
concern in school buildings where young children can
be exposed to asbestos particles.
These concerns havecreatedanewbuildingtrades
specialty, the asbestos removal technician. A related
fi eld is lead removal, since old lead-based paints are a
health hazard as well. Many people working in this fi eld
are trained in both lead and asbestos removal. Older
structures frequently have both types of material.
Since buildings usually cannot be occupied while
asbestos is being removed, asbestos removal techni-
cians typically work in teams to complete the work in
as short a time as possible. The building or portion of
the structure where the work is being done is sealed
to prevent the escape of airborne asbestos particles.
To protect their health, asbestos removal technicians
(and, often, lead removal workers) wear full body
suits with an air supply. They physically remove the
asbestos materials from the structure, enclosing all
debris in sealed containers for safe disposal. Special-
ized vacuum cleaners with highly efficient fi lters are
used to clean up dust resulting from the removal
activities.
Both asbestos and lead removal work can be
dangerous, although strict preventive measures are
taken to prevent the breathing of toxic dust. As in most
construction occupations, working with hand and
power tools presents dangers, as do the necessary
climbing, lifting, and other physical activities. Working
inside full body suits is hot and uncomfortable and may
cause claustrophobia in some people. Work hours
may often be long, since there is usually time pressure
to complete the work. These specialty technicians are
generally well-paid, however, ranking with the more
well-compensated members of the traditional building
trades.
Workers in both asbestos and lead removal must
be licensed. Although formal education beyond high
school is not needed, licensing requires successful
completion of a formal 32-to-40 hour training program.
Employment in these fi elds is expected to continue to
grow as more and more aging buildings containing
asbestos and lead are demolished or renovated.
5
Outside Assignments. Various tasks and projects
designed to help the student expand their knowl-
edge of the chapter content or gain competence in
the subject area.