Making a Wood Bracelet with Scrappy #1: Step #1 Getting Ready/Choosing your Wood

Hello all,
I have been asked to give a class on making a wood bracelet similar to this one.

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/18322

I want to point out that we will NOT be using the special jig I made. I have a different way to get the same results which does not require each of you making a jig.
Part #1
Getting started and choosing wood.

Step #2
Preparation off wood and cutting notches.

Step #3
Drilling holes and shaping.

Step #4
Finishing and final assembly

We will begin be going over some safety tips.

First of all is is all ways important to know your tools and use them safely. You will be working with very small pieces of wood so, the utmost care is needed.

All ways use all guards and a zero clearance blade on the table saw.

All ways use proper eye and ear protection.

If something does not seem safe, then stop!

Step #1

In this class you will need to be able to cut a groove down the length of a board and cut a rabbit on two edges. These will all be 1/4×1/4. You can use the table saw or router table (preferred method).

We will be using a table saw, router table, sander and drill press.

You can drill the holes for the pins by hand but, they must be accurate! (much easier on a drill press)

You will need the following materials:
Your wood…......3/4×1 about 6 inches to use but for safety about a 12 in strip would be better.
Drill to be a snug fit for a brad nail (your hinge).
Brad nails (you can use a stiff wire, but you still need a drill bit to match.
Sand Paper and sanding block or bench sander.
Finish as desired. I will be using a hand wipe poly.

On to WOOD SELECTION.

You will want to use a hard wood. Preferably with a tight grain. The softer the wood and the bigger the grain, the easier your pieces will brake.

On my first Bracelet, I used Indonesian Mahogany. On this one I am going to use Purple Heart. It is very dense and has a VERY tight grain.

One thing to consider when choosing your wood, the grain needs to run from side to side on the 1 inch side. You do not want it to run the 12 inch direction. If your grain runs the wrong direction your corners will be very weak and break easily.

That is it for the first installment. Please sign up for the class and feel free to PM me at any time for help.

See you next weekend!
Scrappy

-- Scrap Wood's the best...the projects are smaller, and so is the mess!