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Table Project
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Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Engineer AOL
Elective
Requirement 5

Table Project

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Engineer AOL
Elective
Requirement 5

Table Project

Snapshot of Activity

Cub Scouts build a display table.

Indoor
3
5
5
If you want to know more about The Adventure Activity Key click here.

Table, for each Cub Scout:

  • 1 – 4 foot 1” x 10” pine board
  • 1 – 4 foot 1” x 12” pine board
  • 2– 8 foot 2” x 4” pine board
  • 4 – 3 ½” screws
  • 22 – 2½’ screws
  • 20 – 6d nails
  • Table Blueprint found in Additional Resources

Tools, ideally one per Scout but they can share:

  • Handsaw
  • Hammer
  • Sanding block or sandpaper
  • Screwdriver, whichever style is needed for provided screw
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Carpenter’s square
  • Wood glue
  • Sanding block or sandpaper
  • Drill with 7/64th or 3/32 bit to predrill holes for nails for adult use only

Safety gear, for each Cub Scout:

  • Youth sized working gloves (hand protection)
  • Safety glasses (eye protection)
  • Close toe shoes (foot protection)
  • KN95 5-layer respirator masks (nose and lung protection)
  • First aid kit for the group

Optional:

  • Paint or stain
  • Brushes

Tip: Many home improvement or hardware stores will cut the wood to the length needed for this project. An adult with a power saw can also cut these to length. A Cub Scout or an adult can cut with a handsaw, but this can be time consuming and frustrating.

Before the meeting:

  1. Identify adults in the den who are handy with tools and could assist, either by bringing additional tools or help with the den meeting.
  2. Gather the supply and safety items needed, enough for each Cub Scout.
  3. Notify parent or legal guardian to ensure that Cub Scouts wear close toe shoes.
  4. Secure additional adult supervision as needed.
  5. Purchase materials. 
  6. Secure a safe meeting location to give plenty of space for Cub Scouts to work on their project.  
  7. Print a copy of the Table Blueprint for each Cub Scout.
  8. Build a table to use as an example.

During the meeting:

  1. Explain to Cub Scouts that they will be building a table using their engineering skills. The instructions are their blueprint.
  2. Ask them to gather their supplies. They should ask themselves:
    1. What building materials do I need?
    2. How much of each item do I need?
    3. What materials can be shared?
  3. Have each Cub Scout, work with an adult and complete the following.
    • Cut the Wood
      Measure and pencil mark the 2×4 board at 22 inches per piece, and mark off 4 pieces. Use speed square to create a straight line for cut. These are the legs. Mark one end of each piece as the bottom.
      Measure and pencil mark the 2×4 board at 20 ½ inches per piece, and mark off 4 pieces. Use speed square to create a straight line for cut. These are horizontal support rails for legs.
      Measure and pencil mark the 1×10 board at 22 inches per piece, and mark off 2 pieces. Use speed square to create a straight line for cut. These are the bottom shelf.
      Measure and pencil mark the 1×12 board at 23 inches per piece, and mark off 2 pieces. Use speed square to create a straight line for cut. These are the tabletop.
    • Build the legs
      Recommended that holes be pre-drilled with 7/64th or 3/32 bit.
      Mark 2 spots on bottom of each leg, 2 ¼ inch from bottom.
      Mark 2 spots on top of each leg, ¾ inch from top.
      Attach top rail flush with the end of the top leg using 2 nails.
      Attach bottom rail 1 ½ inches from bottom of the leg using 2 nails.
      This is one leg with two rails.
      Turn the piece upside down and attach the other leg.
      This creates one leg assembly. Repeat these steps to create the second leg assembly.
    • Add Shelves
      Stand both legs assemblies up about 22 inches apart. Extra hands are helpful.
      Set one piece of the 2×10 between the legs, flush to one side. Attach with nails or glue. Use 3 nails for each end of each board, 2 inches from the end of the shelf.
      Tip: put one nail on each end of first board. Then use measuring tape to make sure make sure bottom of both leg assemblies are the same distance apart. Then add second nail. It is OK to keep measuring.
      Repeat with the other 2×10. There might be a small gap between the boards. If using glue, put a simple bead of glue where wood will attach on bottom rail, and spread out with your finger. Try not to use too much glue.
      Set both pieces of 2×12 on top. Adjust to have about a ½ inch overhang on each end and flush with the sides. Most importantly make sure the boards are flush together in the middle. Attach with nails or glue 2 inches from the end of the top. Use 3 nails for each end of each board. If using glue, put a simple bead of glue where wood will attach on top rail, and spread out with your finger. Try not to use too much glue.
      Tip: put one nail on each end of first board. Then use measuring tape to make sure make sure tops of both leg assemblies are the same distance apart. Then add second nail.
  4. Sand and finish the table with paint or stain as desired.
  5. Have Cub Scouts evaluate their table:
    • Did the project turn out as I expected?
    • What would I do differently next time?
    • What three things did I learn when I designed and built my project?
    • What am I most proud of about my project?

Other Activities Options

You can choose other activities of your choice.

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Indoor
3
4
2

Cub Scouts build a paper roller coaster.

Arrow of Light – 5th Grade
Indoor
3
5
2

Cub Scouts build speakers from a yogurt cup.

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.