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Profile: Keith Schadler
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User Name: Keith Schadler
Forum Rank: Newbie
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Location Olivet/Michigan
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Gender: None Specified
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Joined: Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Last Visit: Monday, June 8, 2009 1:06:22 PM
Number of Posts: 0
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Last 10 Posts
Topic: Radial arm saw vs. Mitre saw
Posted: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 9:47:47 AM
I changed out my radial arm saw a few years ago for a 12" sliding miter saw. I wanted a 10" so I could use the same combination blades for my table saw and miter saw, but the principal told me to purchase the 12" because it was actually cheaper, or nothing at all.
My 8th graders do just fine with it, no accidents and it never kicks back. I require the use of the clamp and require them to put their left hand in their pocket when they operate the saw. The radial arm saw was way too dangerous for students as they would have a tendency to try to pull the saw too quickly across the board and cause kickback. Miter saw would be the best way to go in my opinion.
Topic: In need of shop rulers
Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 5:50:26 PM
Thanks for all the ideas. I decided to try making my own. I found a 2" thick piece of hickory in the back of my wood room, planed it, and sliced it into 1/4" pieces. Then used some number stamps and a chisel to mark off the dimensions. I can't believe I didn't think of this before. Perhaps I should start mass production and selling them for $10 each and start a little fundraiser....
Topic: 1964 Powermatic Model 90 wood lathe on -off switch
Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 10:40:16 AM
I have had a lot of switches go bad recently. We have been replacing them with a regular wall switch. Our maintenance department doesn't have the funds to purchase anything rediculously expensive, so this is their fix. Our maintenance person is an electrical engineer from GM -obviously laid off... and he doesn't seem to have a problem with this. The only concern is if the main power is shut off and the switch is left on, it will restart. You can purchase the safe start switch, but that's another $70+.
Topic: In need of shop rulers
Posted: Monday, March 23, 2009 1:24:58 PM
Does anybody know of a good place to order bench rules? The ones I currently use are aluminum and the numbers are wearing off. It appears to me I have two options:
1-Buy the same ones over and over again every few years -$3 each
2-Spend $18-$20 each for wooden rules with brass ends
Believe it or not, my administrator doesn't have a problem with me purchasing the expensive ones, however, we will be on the "purchase over 3-years" plan. If anyone knows of a great place to order cheaper ones, or have any suggestions, please let me know...
Topic: 1/4 sheet sanders
Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 1:56:15 PM
I purchased 2 cheap 1/4 sheet Black and Decker sanders 3 years ago just because I had a few dollars left in my account for the year. I don't let the kids use them until they are on their final project, at which time I explain that they need to take turns, and if they are dammaged, I won't replace them as they have worked all year without sanders, and it makes no difference to me if they all hand- sand. This seems to solve problems, and I don't really have headaches from them as its the last project...
Topic: Text Books
Posted: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 2:55:47 PM
I researched 2 textbooks before the administration agreed to purchase new. My old books were from the 50's... Hard to study safety if everyone is wearing a tie and lacking safety glasses. Anyway, we purchased Wood Technology & Processes. It covers safety units on new machines, as well as home construction. You can go to the McGraw Hill website to request a free copy. The other one is Carpentry & Building Construction. It doesn't cover basic woodworking very well, but I was required to research at least two. You can also get a free copy through the Glencoe website. They simply mailed them to me, no questions asked. By the way, they would probably not be happy if you had 30 fellow teachers request the same text book...
Topic: Finalist: Unclear on the concept (a funny one for you)
Posted: Monday, December 15, 2008 9:49:48 AM
My principal, who insists on be recognized as an expert woodworker, wanted me to cut 150 spiral bound notebooks in half on the bandsaw. I explained that I was busy helping 20 some students and he would have to wait. Not liking my answer, he took it upon himself to them. There was a very loud noise, followed by sparks and a flying blade from the bandsaw. I ran over and shut off the machine. He replied to me, in front of my 8th grade shop class, that he must have forgoten one of my rules. I answered very loudly, "Was it that you forgot your safety glasses, tried to cut metal on the bandsaw, had the gard up too high, or all of the above!" He hung his head and promptly left. Way to lead by example...
Topic: Nick Names
Posted: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 8:31:05 AM
I was actually marked down on my evaluation because I allowed students to call me by my last name only. Students would leave off the Mr., and the High School Principal made note of this. When evaluation time rolled around, this was one thing he noted. I figured he was just digging to find something to mark me down on. From then on, I require students to address me with the Mr. and allow the principal to dig a little deeper for problems...
Topic: Gum Ball Machine
Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:50:55 AM
I currently construct gumball machines with my 6th graders. I purchase a 12' 4x4 cedar post from Menards, then cut it into 6" long pieces. The students then turn the top of their board on the lathe and add a design halfway down the block. We then drill a drop hole down the top, a 1 1/8" hole on the front in the middle for a 1" dowel that will be a knob. Then we use a jig on the drill press to drill an angle hole for the gumball to roll out near the bottom. From there we attach a cannning band to attach a plastic mayo jar on the top and drill a hole to catch the gumball in the knob and attach that with one screw from the back. Cheap, fast, and easy project that even 6th graders can do.
Topic: ages for power tools
Posted: Monday, March 10, 2008 2:52:22 PM
I currently teach 6th and 8th grade woodworking. With my 6th graders, we construct simple tic-tac-toe boards. I cut the block of wood to the correct size, then walk the whole class through laying out lines for gridlines, holes for pegs, a storage hole in the end, and a pilot hole for attaching a door to cover the storage hole. Once in the shop, the students are instructed how to router a chamfer on the router table, drill the holes on the drill press, woodburn their names on the back, bring their boards to me to cut the gridlines on the table saw, and obviously sanding. Our second project is to take a 5" piece of cedar 4X4 and turn it on the lathe to create a gumball machine. I will be right next to the student when they use the lathe. In fact, I will hold the gouge with them until they feel comfortable. We then review the drill press to drill all the holes for the gumball machine. I have had them use a scroll saw before, but I never left their sides when they used it. My suggestion, cut the material to the correct width, then have the students use a hand saw to cut the right lengths. This will make you feel safer, and save you headaches...

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