Bench work & joints · National 5
Fixings & adhesives
8 cards · 4 quiz · 0 exam
Practical Woodworking · National 5 · mrkellydt.co.uk
What you're learning in this topic
Learning intention WALT
We are learning about fixings & adhesives, specifically to:
know
- valid advantages and disadvantages of knock-down fittings
be able to
- choose nails, screws, brackets, corner blocks and knock-down fittings
- choose interior and exterior adhesives
Success criteria WILF
- I can choose nails, screws, brackets, corner blocks and knock-down fittings
- I can give valid advantages and disadvantages of knock-down fittings
- I can choose interior and exterior adhesives
Nails and screws
- Nails: quick, but can split wood and pull out. Oval nails split less; panel pins are for thin sheet; nail at an angle (dovetail nailing) to grip better.
- Screws: stronger than nails and can be removed. Countersunk heads sit flush; round heads sit on top. Drill a pilot hole and a clearance hole so the wood doesn't split.
Brackets, blocks and knock-down fittings
- Angle brackets and corner blocks: strengthen joints inside frames and carcases.
- Knock-down (KD) fittings: bought fittings (e.g. cam locks, block joints, cross dowels) used for flat-pack furniture.
| KD advantages | KD disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Can be taken apart and moved; quick to assemble with simple tools; suit manufactured boards; furniture can be sold flat-packed | Can work loose; extra parts to buy; less attractive; usually not stronger than a glued joint |
A common wrong answer: KD fittings are not an advantage for strength.
Adhesives
- PVA: white wood glue for interior work. Strong, low cost, easy to clean up with water.
- Exterior (waterproof) wood glue, such as waterproof PVA: for outdoor products like garden furniture and bird boxes.
Key terms
| PVA | White glue for interior woodwork |
|---|---|
| Glue for an outdoor product | Exterior (waterproof) wood glue, e.g. waterproof PVA |
| Pilot hole | A small hole so a screw doesn't split the wood |
| Countersunk screw | The head sits flush with the surface |
| Knock-down fitting | Bought fitting that lets furniture be taken apart |
| KD advantage | Can be taken apart and moved; quick to assemble |
| KD disadvantage | Can work loose; extra parts to buy |
| Corner block | Small block glued inside a corner to strengthen it |
Quick check
1. Which glue suits a garden bench?
- Interior PVA wood glue
- A glue stick
- Exterior (waterproof) glue
- Hot-melt glue
Show answer
C: Exterior (waterproof) glue. Outdoor products need waterproof glue.
2. Which is a real advantage of knock-down fittings?
- Stronger than glued joints
- No tools needed ever
- Never work loose
- Can be taken apart and moved
Show answer
D: Can be taken apart and moved. Strength is not an advantage; being able to dismantle is.
3. Why drill a pilot hole before screwing?
- To stop the wood splitting
- To make it look neat
- To use a shorter screw
- To hide the screw
Show answer
A: To stop the wood splitting. It guides the screw and stops splitting.
4. Which screw head sits flush with the surface?
- Round head
- Countersunk
- Pan head
- Dome head
Show answer
B: Countersunk. Countersunk heads sit in a cone-shaped recess.
Printable worksheet
An I do, we do, you do worksheet for this topic, with a separate answer sheet.