This simple project provides an opportunity to explore tools and techniques that are important in many trades. While it provides a great introduction to using wooden dowels in furniture joinery, it also incorporates drilling and measuring which are skills critical in trades like plumbing, electrical and metal fabrication.
The project introduces calculating for diameter when laying out materials. This can be introduced by providing a choice of different peg sizes or different material options including metal and wood. While multiple materials could be used, wood presents an affordable option for students to hone their measuring, planning, and layout skills. It is a great trades math project that introduces trigonometry when individuals are asked to design the game based on different material sizes and even shapes.
If multiple hand and power tools are available, this project also provides a chance to encourage proper tool selection. Hand drills and drill presses present different considerations for adding holes in the wood safely. Playing the game also develops problem-solving and logic skills valuable across a myriad of trades careers. Wooden dowel pegs can be bought in bulk from multiple suppliers and are frequently found where materials for furniture making are sold.
Explore Related Trades Careers: Plumber, Electrician, Metal Fabricator, Carpenter, Cabinetmaker
The project introduces calculating for diameter when laying out materials. This can be introduced by providing a choice of different peg sizes or different material options including metal and wood. While multiple materials could be used, wood presents an affordable option for students to hone their measuring, planning, and layout skills. It is a great trades math project that introduces trigonometry when individuals are asked to design the game based on different material sizes and even shapes.
If multiple hand and power tools are available, this project also provides a chance to encourage proper tool selection. Hand drills and drill presses present different considerations for adding holes in the wood safely. Playing the game also develops problem-solving and logic skills valuable across a myriad of trades careers. Wooden dowel pegs can be bought in bulk from multiple suppliers and are frequently found where materials for furniture making are sold.
Explore Related Trades Careers: Plumber, Electrician, Metal Fabricator, Carpenter, Cabinetmaker
Tools & Materials
Material List
- Plywood 5/8” thickness or greater
- fourteen ¼" x 1” dowels/pegs
- 120 grit sandpaper
- masking tape
- non-toxic stain or finish
Optional
Tool list
- safety glasses
- tape measure
- pencil
- framing square or long ruler
- handsaw, backsaw, or jig saw
- hand drill or drill press
- 1/4" twist bit
- clamp
- speed square or protractor
- mitre box with 60° cut option
Optional
Procedure
-
Cut list: 1 triangular piece 5 ½" on each side.
-
Measure and mark parallel lines on the plywood 4 ¾" apart using a tape measure and framing square. If needed, have these strips pre-cut on a table saw. -
Between the parallel lines (or on the 4 ¾" wide plywood strip) measure and mark equilateral triangles, each side being 5-½" in length (Note: each of the triangle interior angles are 60°, making for a great opportunity to learn and practice using a speed square to mark or check angles other than 90°). -
Cut out the triangular piece(s) using a fine-toothed handsaw, back saw, or jig saw (a 60° mitre box is useful for this step).
-
Measure and mark the locations for the peg holes. The holes should be 1” apart with five holes in the bottom row, four in the second, and so on. For younger students, or if time constraints require, consider using a template to speed up this layout stage - see photo for an example. -
Put on your safety glasses. Drill the holes to a depth of ¼" using a ¼" twist bit. If using a hand drill, mark the desired depth with a piece masking tape around the bit. To help ensure that the triangular pieces do not spin unexpectedly, use a c-clamp to hold it steady (or a jig as in the photo in step 5).
-
Lightly sand all surfaces, taking off any imperfections or sharp edges.
-
Paint or stain the triangular game board if desired. Be careful not to get any finish in the holes or you may need to re-drill them.
-
Insert 14 pieces of ¼" x 1” dowel and you are ready to play!
Extension Challenges
- Introduce the use of a sliding T-bevel or speed square to draft the 60° angles in the triangles in step 2.
- Paint or stain the dowels in complimentary colours to the game board.
- Research different peg-board games and design a customized version using the skills learned in this project (see Cat & Mouse game, different shapes of peg-jumping solitaire games, cribbage, etc.)