Scouting/BSA/Woodwork Merit Badge

The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor.

Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center.

Woodworking lap joints

Requirement 1

Do the following:

A. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in woodwork activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards. Explain what precautions you should take to safely use your tools.

B. Show that you know first aid for injuries that could occur while woodworking, including splinters, scratches, cuts, severe bleeding, and shock. Tell what precautions must be taken to help prevent loss of eyesight or hearing, and explain why and when it is necessary to use a dust mask.

C. Earn the Totin' Chip recognition.

Requirement 2

Do the following:

A. Describe how timber is grown, harvested, and milled. Tell how lumber is cured, seasoned, graded, and sized.

B. Collect and label blocks of six kinds of wood useful in woodworking. Describe the chief qualities of each. Give the best uses of each.

Requirement 3

Do the following:

A. Show proper care, use, and storage of all working tools and equipment that you own or use at home or school.

B. Sharpen correctly the cutting edges of two different tools.

Requirement 4

Using a saw, plane, hammer, brace, and bit, make something useful of wood. Cut parts from lumber that you have squared and measured from working drawings.

Requirement 5

Create your own carpentry project. List the materials you will need to complete your project, and then build your project. Keep track of the time you spend and the cost of the materials.

Requirement 6

Do any TWO of the following:

A. Make working drawings of a project needing beveled or rounded edges and build it.

B. Make working drawings of a project needing curved or incised cuttings and build it.

C. Make working drawings of a project needing miter, dowel, or mortise and tenon joints and build it.

D. Make a cabinet, box or something else with a door or lid fastened with inset hinges.

E. Help make and repair wooden toys for underprivileged children OR help carry out a woodworking service project approved by your counselor for a charitable organization.

Requirement 7

Talk with a cabinetmaker or carpenter. Find out about the training, apprenticeship, Career opportunities, work conditions, pay rates, and union organization for woodworking experts in your area.

External links

• Woodwork Merit Badge with Workbook PDF, current requirements, and resources.
• Getting Started in Woodworking Video Series from Startwoodworking.com
• Project Plans from StartWoodworking.com