Application
This unit of competency covers joining timber by constructing joints using hand and portable power tools. It includes adapting/designing joints that are compatible with the product material, purpose and style of the furniture and supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance in the wide variety of furnishing maker operations. The competency applies to a work room and on-site environment and involves application of skills and knowledge at a highly skilled craftsman or artisan level.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Plan and prepare for work | 1.1 | Applicable work health and safety (WHS), legislative and organisational requirements relevant to constructing joints for custom furniture are verified and complied with |
1.2 | Instructions, plans and/or design briefs are read and interpreted to identify furniture joint requirements | ||
1.3 | Tools, equipment and materials are selected and checked prior to use to ensure that they are appropriate for the work, serviceable and in a safe condition | ||
1.4 | Product purpose, furniture style and construction material are identified | ||
1.5 | Joints are identified and type of joint to be used is selected and adapted/designed as necessary | ||
1.6 | Tools, adhesives and fasteners are selected to match the joint type | ||
1.7 | Quality checking procedures are developed and documented for each step in the joint construction process | ||
2 | Make joint | 2.1 | Cutting and joining lines are marked out to suit joint type |
2.2 | Measurements and calculations are checked for accuracy to ensure quality outcomes | ||
2.3 | Timber features are identified and optimal usage criteria are observed | ||
2.4 | Timber is cut to specification, inspected and prepared for joining | ||
2.5 | Timber is joined in accordance with the job specifications | ||
2.6 | Fasteners and adhesives are used to make joints firm where required | ||
2.7 | Finished joint is checked against quality requirements | ||
3 | Finalise the work sequence | 3.1 | The product is prepared for finishing in accordance with the design specification |
3.2 | Carving tools are cleaned, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer specification | ||
3.3 | Work area is cleared and waste removed | ||
3.4 | Workplace documentation and/or reports are completed | ||
Evidence of Performance
Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information
Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection practices to:
prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
maintain required production output and product quality
minimise the risk of injury to self and others
Select appropriate joint types for the furniture item and produce a minimum of four (4) different joint types in accordance with industry standards and tolerances with at least two (2) produced substantially by hand operations
Utilise at least three (3) different adhesive types
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate other material requirements
Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems, interpret basic plans and follow safety procedures
Minimise wastage of resources, including materials, time and money
Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
Evidence of Knowledge
State or territory WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to constructing joints for custom furniture moisture suppressants and barrier systems
Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for the creation of joints
Types of tools and equipment used in joint construction and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance
Characteristics and properties of timber being used
Characteristics, properties and selection criteria of adhesives used
Matching requirements of adhesives and fasteners to timbers/materials used
Environmental protection requirements
Established communication channels and protocols
Relevant problem identification and resolution
Work flow in relation to the furniture items being made or repaired
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors
have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification
be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.
Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.
Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.
Access is required to materials and equipment relevant to the design and application of jointing techniques, and specifications and work instructions.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Detail on appropriate performance levels for each furnishing unit of competency in reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy utilising the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) are provided in the Furnishing Training Package Implementation Guide.
Range Statement
Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Joints for custom furniture include: | dowel mortise and tenon dovetail lap joint biscuit joint finger joint housing joint mitre or bridle joints |
Tools and equipment include: | chisels mallets mortise gauges vernier callipers vices dovetail saws tenon saws coping saws planes files hand and power drills dowel jigs power routers portable biscuit machines power planers power saws power sanders |
Materials include: | timber (both indigenous and overseas) adhesives fasteners |
Adhesives include: | resorcinol formaldehyde polyurethane epoxy cyanoacrylate |
WHS requirements include: | Commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations organisational safety policies and procedures the use of personal protective equipment and clothing firefighting equipment first aid equipment hazard and risk control and elimination of hazardous materials and substances manual handling, including lifting and carrying |
Procedures include: | work instructions standard operating procedures written, verbal or computer-based procedures |
Organisational requirements include: | legal, organisational and site guidelines, policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility quality assurance procedural manuals quality and continuous improvement processes and standards ethical standards recording and reporting access and equity principles and practices equipment use, maintenance and storage environmental management (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines) |
Sectors
Furniture Making