Tool Time

Before the meeting:

1. Gather the items on the supply list.
2. Set up meeting space for Cub Scouts to have room to handle the tools individually.

During the meeting:

1. Start with the safety glasses. Explain that safety glasses aren’t really a tool but an important piece of equipment for building and that they must be worn at all times. Allow Cub Scouts to try on the safety glasses.
2. Hold up the hammer and allow it to be passed around. Explain that a hammer is used to drive nails into wood.
3. Hold up the two screwdrivers and allow them to be passed around. Explain that a screwdriver puts a screw into a piece of wood. Screws do a better job than nails of holding projects together when the pieces will be under strain. There are two main kinds of screwdrivers: flathead and Phillips head. Pick the one with a tip that matches the screw you want to drive. A flathead screwdriver is used for a screw with a single slot across its head. A Phillips screw has a “+” design.
4. Hold up the brace and bit and allow it to be passed around. Explain that a brace and bit is used to drill holes. This is a two-part tool. The bit does the drilling, and the brace turns the bit. There are many kinds and sizes of bits depending on the material and size of hole needed. All bits for wood have a spiral edge that digs out small pieces of wood as you turn it.
5. Hold up the hand saw, do not pass it around. Explain that a hand saw lets you cut boards along straight lines.
6. Hold up the coping saw, do not pass it around. Explain that a coping saw lets you cut curves and odd shapes in wood.
7. Hold up the vice and/or clamp and allow it to be passed around. Explain that a vise or clamp is like having that third hand, the tool holds the wood in place.
8. Hold up the measuring device and allow it to be passed around. Share the saying, “Measure twice and cut once.”
9. Pass around the sandpaper. Explain that sandpaper is used to rub off any rough edges on a project. Sandpaper comes in different grits. The higher the number of grit, the finer the feel of the sandpaper. Finer grits mean a smoother wood surface. Rub the sandpaper on the wood to show how it is used.
10. And finally, hold up the first aid kit. Show Cub Scouts where it will be kept during project building.