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Muddy Faces

Woodworking & tools guides

How-tos, guides & manuals to choosing & using tools outdoors.
Early Years & Primary School children can develop woodworking skills with proper training & supervision.

Outdoor Hub

Safe Tool Use at Forest School - A 12 point system for using tools at Forest School

Safe tool use at Forest School can be a key part of the learner-led process – extending children’s play opportunities and developing skills. In this video Forest School Lou shares her 12 point system for using tools at Forest School using an acronym ‘A.C.A.D.E.M.I.C.S S.U.C.’

Muddy Faces tool guides

How to use a Bow Saw

A Muddy Faces, free to download, guide: how to introduce and use bow saws safely with a group aged 8 yrs+.

Download the pdf here:

HT use a bowsaw

pdf, 4.39 MB

How to use loppers

A Muddy Faces, free to download, guide: how to introduce and use loppers safely with a group aged 4yrs and upwards.

Download the pdf here:

HT use loppers

pdf, 2.47 MB

Guide to palm drills

Palm drills are perfect to use with children as an introduction to tool use in woodwork and simple activities.

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Guide to rotary hand drills

Rotary hand drills are a great tool to use in an outdoor classroom, forest school or woodworking area. Learn about different types of hand drills and how to use them.

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Guide to drill bits

The common types of drill bit, what we recommend & how to fit a drill bit into a rotary hand drill.

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How to use eyelet pliers

A step-by-step guide to using eyelet pliers. Eyelets can be really handy for creative activities like making flags and bags.

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Bypass & anvil blades

Secateurs and loppers are an essential bit of kit to have in your forest school or outdoor classroom. Learn here how to choose the correct blade for the job & understand how each cutting action works.

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Guide to clamps & vices

Different types of hand clamps & which ones suit what kind of project.

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Tree trunk cross section

Cross section of a tree trunk

Free download of this really useful annotated cross section below.

Tree trunk cross section

pdf, 693.23 KB

See also

Tool use and trad craft cat

Tool use & Traditional Crafts

A selection of guides to tool use and activities that include the use of simple tools used in early years woodworking provision like palm drills and hammers.

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