Ergonomics
The study of the relationship between the average human body (especially that of a worker or machine operator) and its environment.
Escutcheon
The metal lining of a keyhole or protective plate that surrounds it.

F

Face edge
The surface planed square to the face side and from which other dimensions and angles are measured.
Face quality
A term used to describe better quailty veneers that are used to cover the visible surfaces of a workpiece.
Face side
The flat planed surface from which all other dimensions and angles are measured.
Feather figure
The grain pattern on wood that has been cut from that part of a tree where a brach joins the main stem or trunk.
Feed
To push a workpiece in a controlled manner toward a moving blade or cutter.
Fence
An adjustable guide to keep the cutting edge of a tool a set distance from the edge of a workpiece.
Ferrule
A metal collar that reinforces the wood where the tang of a chisel or other hand tool enters the handle.
Fiberboards
A range of building boards made from reconstituted wood fibers.
Fielded panel
A solid-wood panel with edges beveled to fit grooves in a frame.
Figure
Another term for grain pattern.
Fillet
A narrow strip of wood.
Flat-grain
Another term for plainsawn.
Flat-sliced
A term used to describe a narrow sheet of veneer that has been cut from part of a log with a knife.
Flatsawn
Another term for plainsawn.
Flitches
Pieces of wood sawn from a log for slicing into veneers. or The bundle of slices veneers.
Flute
A rounded concave groove.
Flux
A substance used to clean the surfaces of metal prior to soldering.
Fow wedging
A joint where wooden wedges are used to spread a tenon in a stopped mortise.
Front elevation
A scale drawing showing the front view of a workpiece.

G

Grain
The general direction or arrangement of the fibrous materials of wood.
Gravity guard
A blade or cutter guard that is raised by passage of the work, then drops back under its own weight.
Green wood
Newly cut wood that has not been seasoned.
Groove
A long narrow channel cut in the direction of the grain. or To cut such channels.
Groundwork
The backing material to which veneer is glued.
Gullet
The space between sawteeth.

H

Halving joint
A lap joint where each member is relieved halfway through.
Hardwood
Wood cut from broad-leaved, mostly deciduous trees that belong to the botanical group Angiospermae.
Haunch
The shortened part of a tenon that prevents it from twisting out of line with the upright member at a corner of a frame.
Heartwood
The mature wood that forms the spine of a tree.
Hide glue
A protein-based wood glue made from animal skins and bone.
Hollow-ground
A term used to describe circular-saw blades that are reduced in thickness toward their centers. Also, a concave bevel on a knife, chisel or other edge tool.
Hollows
Concave shapes turned on a lathe.
Hone
To produce the final cutting edge on a blade or cutter by rubbing it on or with an abrasive stone.
Horn
Excess waste wood left on a workpiece to support the end of a mortise while the joint is being cut. The horn is sawn off after the joint is assembled.
Housing
A dado, either through, blind or half-blind that accepts a shelf, stair tread, dovetail, etc.

I

In-cannel
A term used to describe a gouge with a bevel ground on the inside of the blade.
Infeed
A term is used to describe that part of machine’s worktable that is in front of the blade or cutter.
Inlay
To insert pieces of wood or metal into prepared recesses so that the material lies flush with the surrounding surfaces. or The piece of material itself.
Isometric drawing
A scale drawing with its main axes equally inclined, but giving an impression of perspective.

J

Jig
A device used to hold a workpiece or tool so that an operation can be repeated accurately.
Joiner
A woodworker who specializes in the construction of building components such as windows, doors and stairs.

K

Kerf
The slot cut by a saw.
Kickback
The action of a workpiece being thrown toward a machinist be a moving blade or cutter. or The action of a power tool when it jumps backward as a result of its blade or cutter jamming.
Kicker
A strip of wood fixed above a drawer’s side to prevent it from tipping upward as the drawer is withdrawn.
Kiln-drying
Methods for seasoning wood that accelerate drying.
Knife checks
Splits along veneer caused by poorly adjusted veneer slicing equipment.
Knock-down fittings
Mechanical devices for joining components, especially those that may have to be dismantled at a future date.
Knot sealer
A shellac-based sealer used to coat resinous knots that would stain subsequent finishes.
Knuckle
The cylindrical part of a hinge through which the pin passes.

L

Laminate
A component made from thin strips of wood glued together. or To glue strips together to form a component.
Laminboard
A man-made building board with a core of narrow strips or wood glued together and sandwiched between thin plywood sheets. See also blockboard.
Latewood
That part of a tree’s annual growth ring that is laid down in the latter part of the growing season.
Laying off
The action of finishing an application of paint or varnish using upward brush strokes.
Lipping
A protective strip of solid wood applied to the edge of a man-made-board panel or table top.
Long grain
Grain that is aligned with the main axis of a workpiece. See also short grain.
Lopers
Draw runners that are pulled from a cabinet in order to support a fall flap.

M

Marquetry
The process of laying relatively small pieces of veneer to make decorative patterns or pictures. See also parquetry.
Miter
A joint formed between two pieces of wood by cutting bevels of equal angles (usually 45 degrees) at the ends of both pieces. or To cut the joint.
Mock-up
A temporary construction made from scrap materials in order to test a design.

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