← Practical Metalworking syllabus

ScotlandPractical Metalworking

Bench Work

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Which bench tools and hand processes shape metal at the bench, and how is each used safely and accurately?

Bench tools and hand processes: holding work in a bench vice, cutting with a hacksaw, removing metal by filing (cross-filing and draw-filing), cutting with a cold chisel, and the correct hammers (ball pein, cross-pein and claw).
The core hand-tool skills in SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking bench work: holding work in a bench vice, cutting with a hacksaw, removing metal by cross-filing and draw-filing, using a cold chisel, and choosing the right hammer (ball pein, cross-pein, claw).
12 min answer →

How are holes drilled in metal and how are internal and external screw threads cut by hand?

Drilling holes with a twist drill and countersinking, and cutting screw threads by hand: an internal thread with a tap and tap wrench, and an external thread with a die and die stock.
How SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking covers making holes and threads: drilling with a twist drill, countersinking, cutting an internal thread with a tap and tap wrench, and cutting an external thread with a die and die stock, all done accurately and safely.
12 min answer →

How do you work safely in the metalwork workshop, and what protective equipment and safe practices does each process need?

Health and safety in the workshop: identifying hazards, using personal protective equipment (safety glasses, apron, gloves where appropriate), guarding machines, keeping a tidy area, and following safe working practices for hot, sharp and rotating processes.
How SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking expects you to work safely: spotting hazards, using personal protective equipment such as safety glasses and aprons, guarding machines, keeping a tidy workspace, and following safe practices for hot, sharp and rotating processes.
12 min answer →

How do you measure a metal workpiece and mark out shapes, holes and lines accurately before any cutting begins?

Measuring and marking out: using a steel rule, engineer's try square, scriber, odd-leg (jenny) callipers, dividers and a centre punch from a datum edge to transfer a drawing onto metal accurately.
How SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking expects you to measure and mark out a metal workpiece: working from a datum edge with a steel rule, engineer's try square, scriber, odd-leg callipers, dividers and a centre punch so that holes and lines are accurate before cutting.
12 min answer →

What metals are used in the workshop, how are they grouped, and what properties make each one suitable for a job?

Metals and their properties: ferrous metals (mild steel) and non-ferrous metals (aluminium, copper, brass), and the properties that decide their use - strength, hardness, toughness, malleability, ductility, conductivity and corrosion resistance.
How SQA National 5 Practical Metalworking groups metals into ferrous (mild steel) and non-ferrous (aluminium, copper, brass) and the properties - strength, hardness, malleability, ductility, conductivity and corrosion resistance - that decide which metal suits a workshop job.
12 min answer →