February 28

• Today i was given an evaluation plan of a house. We worked out the Perimeter, Area, Volume, Base, Height, Length and Width:

 MIT Project Building - Rev 02.pdf

Formulas:

• Area= Length x Width (LxW)
• Perimeter= 2x Length + 2x Width (2xL)+(2xW) - (always ends in M)
• M= Metres
• M2= Square Metres - Area - (always ends in M2)
• Area of Triangle= BxH
• Radius and Diameter of a circle

• As i learnt about the Radius and Diameter of a circle i found it hard to understand. But as i was taught how to calculate it i slowly gained an understanding of how to do it but still struggle to calculate it on my own. A way i know i can improve is by studying the problem in my own time. But also ask those who know how to do it to help me. I found the rest of the formulas easy because i studied them in school and enjoyed doing the equations given to me.

• We then stepped foot in a house that was made here at MIT and analysed the different joints, material, and timber used for the house and studied the mistakes made and the hazards that are to come when working on a construction site. After that we played touch while we waited for our tools and when we received our tools we learnt how to sharpen our chisels on the grinder and to gently apply pressure on chisel as you sharpen it. Also to dip the chisel in water so that it doesn't over heat and damage the metal or quality of the chisel.

• Then we received lockers for our tools and locks with keys and went home.

February 23

• Today the our tutor Nick made us sketch different types of drawings off the board on a large piece of paper with pencil. Also sketched the front, back, side and birds eye view of a wooden project he set out in front of us (2 dimensional drawing). Then we played a game of "who wants to be a millionaire" Carpentry style, with questions and answers that relate to carpentry work. 

•  We also learnt about Bearers, Floor Joist, Pile, Jack Studs, Boundary Joist, Braces and their purposes of what they do when we apply them to our building construction.

• Worked in the workshop finishing off the joints we were set out to do. Completed two joints-Dovetail Joint and the Half Dovetail Halving Joint. Started and now now finishing off another joint called Tee Halving Joint which is a basic joint to cut. After that i cleaned up, course finished early and was excused to go and study some more.

February 15

Today I came at 10 past 8 with an empty stomach. Nervous, excited and keen for the course. Received information about the course and the rules at MIT. Played touch on breaks and forgot to eat. 

• Learn how to use a computer for MIT purposes and created an email account for MIT and Blogger. Sat down looking outside watching sky after i had finished. 

February 14

Arrived at MIT at 7:50 on the dot. Was then arranged in 4 different groups. Paired up with 4 different tutors. Tutor name Nick. Went on a tour around MIT (North and South Campus).

Got involved in the games activities. Hammer throw: Holding a wooden mullet throwing it underarm. Getting the mullet as close as possible to a stick planted into the ground at a far distance or further than the stick itself. Nail Hammering: Hammering different types and sized nails and accurately hammering the nail without bending or damaging the surface of the timber. , Sawing: Sawing through a piece of timber following the lines mark and cutting a staright cut. Then had a competition to saw through a log in teams of four to see which team would be the first to cut a section of the log off.

Got to know and meet new people in my class and listen to them while they explain about their backround.

February 22

• Today I finished off the Half Dovetail Halving Joint: Cut two pieces of timber and used one of the timbers and measured 90cm length wise from one end of the timber. Marked the waste wood side with an X. Cut half of the timber length wise down to the line that was marked at 90cm with a saw. Measured 10cm in from the outside of wood above the 90cm line and marked it with a pencil. used a sliding bevel to mark the angle from the top corner of the joint to the mark measured at 10cm in. I then placed the timber on an angle facing the opposite way from me in a clamp. Then cut down the line on one side till it reached the line marked at 90cm. Then did the same to the other side. After that was done the joint would've had an arrow shape in the inside. I then placed the timber in the clamp facing upwards and sawed down the the arrow shape making it easier to cut the timber joint. Then i chiseled the rough surfaces of the joint by force with no hammering to get clean sharp corners or flat surfaces. Leaving one side of the joint normal and the other on an angle.
• Then the other half of the joint I placed the Half Dovetail Joint over another piece of timber and traced the outlines of the joint to get an exact shadow of the Joint on the surface of that plain timber. I then marked the depth of the timber at half way and marked the waste wood side with an X. I then sawed multiple lines on the waste wood side to make it easier for me to chisel. After i chiseled the waste wood out i then used the chisel without a hammer and used my own force to get sharp corners and flat surfaces in the joint.

• Then started a new joint which was a Dovetail Joint: Used one timber and measured 10mm on both sides of the timber (width) right above the 90cm line then connected the 10mm mark to the top corner of the timber. Put X's on the waste wood parts getting cut off. Then cut the angle i marked with a saw. Leaving both sides of the joint angled. The other half of the timber. I placed the Dovetail Joint over the top of the other halved timber and traced around the outside of the joint onto the surface of the timber. Leaving a shadow of the joint I finished cutting on the surface of the timber. Then I mark it with an X in that joint and cut multiple lines on the waste wood side making it easier for me to chisel the timber off without chipping big blocks off the wood. After that's done i chiseled the edges and corners of the joint to make the Dovetail Joint fit flush.
  
  

  •  After that  we went to the computer rooms to answer Prelimenarie questions:

  
  1. Which Ministry or Government department is responsible to ensure that good quality homes and buildings are built in NZ?
  2. What is the purpose of the Building Act and Regulations?
  3. What is the function of the Building Act?
  4. What is the Building Code?
  5. Under which law are you covered at work? 
  • And found the answers on the website homepage of  "Department Building and Housing"

  
  http://www.dbh.govt.nz/blc-building-act