In preparation for the next open make, Tim and Nicole set up a workshop space in the Tinkering Studio to introduce some tools commonly used in woodworking and metalworking. They decorated the workshop with some of Tim’s cartoon drawings, put up a peg board section, brought out a big tool box, and set up some larger elements like the drill press and an anvil.
On Wednesday we focused on woodworking and showed people how to drill a hole, hammer a nail, use a saw, and drive a screw. To let people practice with the tools, we suggested that they spelled out their initials or first names with hardware. This gave them plenty of practice using the tools and allowed them to gain a sense of proficiency over the course of their project.
We used the cordless drill to make pilot holes and drive screws.
Once we taught kids the proper technique and stayed close by for a few tries, they became fairly self-sufficient at using that particular tool.
Old pros like Tim and Nicole offered many tips and tricks to new learners (one safety tip that we overlooked in this photo is to always tie long hair back when working with tools, we’ll have hair ties next time – thanks Janis).
After making their letters, they could saw off their chunk of wood with a jig saw.
Everyone made something that took a little bit of work that they could be proud of in the end.
On Thursday we switched it over to a metal working workshop and tried out stamps, punches, drills, and rivets. Each person made their names again, either by stamping letters or by making dots or holes. Later on in the day we started experimenting with the letters as decorative elements and emoticons. It was another fun experience and we noticed that working with metal was a bit more unique than woodworking as it allowed visitors to experience some brand new tools.
We got some more pounding surfaces to cut down on the noise factor.
It was fun looking at letters as shapes to be used for usual purposes.
Explainers got in on the action as well making personalized badges.
It will be fun to see what Nicole and Tim come up with for the next iteration of teaching metal and wood tool use.
“Old pros like Tim and Nicole offered many tips and tricks to new learners.”
Gotta say it — Tip #1: If your hair is long, PULL IT BACK.
I am a total sucker for seeing kids using tools — that’s one reason I’m really looking forward to Open MAKE. Kids using tools shoulder to shoulder with Tim Hunkin is unimaginable goodness.
Hi Ryan,
Back when I was teaching at the Little Red School House in New York City, a historic downtown school (read: private) that prided itself on its Dewey-ian progressive roots, “learning by doing” (read: making), they had this incredible wood shop in the basement. My friend Greg was the teacher, an amazing educator and maker-of-things.
The year before I moved on from Little Red the school fired Greg. (Or, as they say in Tim Hunkin’s native homeland, “He was made redundant.”) What really happened, over much protest (mostly from me and a handful of people), is that the school got rid of the woodworking program.
I have lots of theories about why this so-called progressive school did this (which I won’t bother you with here). Suffice to say, the pressures of our modern education system – the pressures ON our modern education system – were at odds with what Greg was doing. (This tension was one of many reasons why I left the school a year later after having taught there for seven years.)
Greg was really obsessed (in that Obsessively Compulsive Delightful way) with Japanese woodworking, had outfitted the shop with all kinds of Japanese woodworking tools, examples, ideas, etc. For 15 years he was teaching 4 yr. olds through 14 yr. olds how to work with wood. During my free time between classes I would just go down and hang out, watch Greg do this amazing thing with learners of all ages, interests and abilities.
I haven’t been back to Little Red in a few years, and I’ve heard through friends that the woodworking program is back in existence (sadly without Greg). I hope it’s at least half the place it was when Greg was there. Even then, it would be great.
I loved this post – and I love what Nicole and Tim are doing in the space – because it reminded me of Greg, of his tool-space, reminded me of his attitude towards the material he loved and the way he worked and learned with it, and the way he shared that passion with others. The day Greg left the school he gave me a dozuki he brought back from Japan (ask Ryoko what that is). He also gave me a book on Japanese joinery which I still look at with complete wonder and awe.
Sorry for the long comment – I guess it’s a letter of appreciation for Greg.
This comment is also a letter of appreciation for Nicole and Tim. Seeing them working with people in the space with the various tools immediatley made me think of my days watching Greg.
I’m going to look Greg up now and find out where he is what he is doing.
Many thanks. Or, arigatou gozaimasu.
msw