Here’s a TESDA-style, hands-on module for sawing, planing, and initial shaping of agarwood material for jewelry beads. It’s written for training manuals, workshop instructions, and UTPRAS programs.
🔨 Sawing, Planing, and Initial Shaping of Agarwood Material
1. Objective
Trainees will learn to:
- Prepare raw agarwood blocks for bead production
- Safely saw, plane, and shape material into blanks
- Minimize resin loss and avoid cracking
- Maintain consistent size and symmetry for bead fabrication
2. Tools and Equipment
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Fine-toothed hand saw / small back saw | Cutting agarwood blocks into workable sizes |
| Bench vise or clamp | Secure material during sawing |
| Planing block / hand plane | Smooth rough surfaces, remove bark, and level wood |
| Files (flat, half-round) | Refine surfaces and edges of cut blanks |
| Calipers / ruler | Measure dimensions for bead uniformity |
| Dust mask and goggles | Protect from wood dust and resin particles |
| Cutting mat or workbench | Protect work surface and reduce material loss |
3. Safety Guidelines
- Always wear PPE (goggles, dust mask, gloves)
- Secure agarwood firmly in bench vise to prevent slipping
- Keep hands behind the cutting edge of saws and planes
- Work in a well-ventilated area or with a dust collector
- Cut slowly and carefully; avoid forcing the saw, which can crack resin-rich wood
4. Material Preparation
- Inspect agarwood blocks: Check for cracks, cavities, or low-resin areas
- Mark cutting lines: Use pencil or chalk to indicate blank sizes
- Select cut orientation: Follow grain direction to reduce cracking
- Stabilize small pieces: Clamp or support to prevent vibration during sawing
5. Sawing Procedure
- Place the block in the bench vise, aligning the saw line with the edge
- Use gentle, steady strokes with minimal pressure
- Stop periodically to inspect progress and ensure even cutting
- Remove cut pieces and lightly sand cut surfaces if needed
Tip: Use small, incremental cuts for resin-rich areas to prevent splitting.
6. Planing Procedure
- Place the cut blank on the workbench or plane support
- Use a light hand plane to remove rough surface layers
- Work along the grain to maintain resin integrity and smooth texture
- Avoid over-planing; retain slightly oversized blanks for bead shaping
7. Initial Shaping of Blanks
- Use files, sanding blocks, or rotary tools for basic bead shapes:
- Cylindrical for malas
- Round or oval for necklaces and bracelets
- Custom shapes for pendants
- Ensure uniform dimensions using calipers or templates
- Mark holes for drilling, if applicable
Tip: Maintain resin-rich areas at bead surfaces for aroma retention.
8. TESDA-Aligned Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, trainees should be able to:
- Select and inspect agarwood blocks for bead production
- Saw raw blocks safely and accurately
- Plane surfaces to achieve smooth, workable blanks
- Perform initial shaping while preserving resin integrity
- Maintain consistent dimensions and bead templates for assembly
9. Practical Workshop Activity
- Trainees are provided with raw agarwood blocks of mixed resin grades
- Perform inspection, sawing, and planing to create bead blanks
- Instructor monitors safety, technique, and material handling
- Trainees document before-and-after blanks for assessment
If you want, I can draft the next step in the bead-making workflow: drilling, rounding, and sanding beads, with TESDA-aligned checklists and assessment rubrics ready for your UTPRAS submission.
Do you want me to do that next?