← Practical Woodworking syllabus

ScotlandPractical Woodworking

Tools, Materials and Safety

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What hand tools and items of equipment are used in the workshop, and what is each one used for?

Hand tools and equipment used in woodworking: measuring and marking tools, saws, planes, chisels, boring tools, cramps and the bench and vice, and selecting the correct tool for each task.
A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Practical Woodworking content on hand tools and equipment, covering measuring and marking tools, saws, planes, chisels, boring tools, cramps, the bench and vice, and choosing the right tool for the job.
11 min answer →

How do you work safely in the woodwork workshop with hand tools, power tools and machines?

Health and safety in the workshop: workshop hazards, personal protective equipment, safe use and care of hand tools, power tools and machines, dust and waste, and safe behaviour.
A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Practical Woodworking content on health and safety, covering workshop hazards, personal protective equipment, safe use and care of hand tools, power tools and machines, dust and waste, and safe behaviour at the bench.
10 min answer →

How is timber marked out and measured accurately before it is cut and shaped?

Marking out and measuring: working from a face side and face edge, using rules, squares, gauges, marking knives and templates to set out parts accurately, and the importance of accuracy to a well-fitting joint.
A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Practical Woodworking content on marking out and measuring, covering the face side and face edge, rules, squares, gauges, marking knives and templates, and why accurate marking out gives a well-fitting joint.
10 min answer →

What timbers and sheet materials are used in woodworking, and what are their properties and uses?

Timber and sheet materials and their properties: natural timber (hardwoods and softwoods), manufactured boards (plywood, MDF, chipboard), timber sizes, common defects, and choosing a material to suit a product.
A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Practical Woodworking content on timber and sheet materials, covering hardwoods and softwoods, manufactured boards such as plywood, MDF and chipboard, timber sizes, common defects, and matching a material to a product.
11 min answer →