GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FIREWEED COMMUNITY WOODSHOP
1. Your instructor is trained in the safe use and operation of all tools and machinery in this lab. If you are in doubt about the safe use of any tool or machine ask your instructor. All work to be done in this shop must have the instructor's approval.
2. All accidents and injuries, no matter how slight, must be reported to the instructor immediately.
3. Wear safe clothing when working in a shop. Fasten or remove loose clothing before you operate any machine. Roll up long sleeves, tie back long hair. Remove loose jewelry and other accessories that are hazardous.
4. Safety glasses must be worn at all times while in the lab.
5. When carrying long objects, such as lumber or bar clamps, always keep the front end up, high enough to avoid being a danger. Be respectful of your surroundings and the safety of others.
6. Only the operator is to start and stop a machine. After the power is off, the operator must stay with the machine until it comes to a complete stop. Those who are not operating a machine should stay out of the defined working space of machines being used by others.
7. Avoid distracting the attention of students using the machines; likewise, you must not allow your attention to become diverted while you are operating a machine.
8. Report all breakage or damage to tools or machinery to the instructor immediately.
9. Keep rags away from machines that are in operation.
10. Fire in any form is not to be used in this shop except by permission of the instructor.
11. All machines must come to a full stop with the switch in the “Off” position before any adjustments or cleaning is done.
12. Always clean bench tops or machines with a brush or broom, never with your hands, there may be sharp, jagged particles among the debris.
13. All portable electric tools and appliances must be disconnected when not in use, i.e. corded power drill, sander, router, clothes iron.
14. Know your limits. Do not lift heavy or unwieldy objects; doing so could cause injury or strain.
15. All safety guards must be properly installed, in working order and utilized at all times. Do not remove safety guards from equipment, i.e. riving knives, table saw blade guards etc.
16. Keep the floor free of trip hazards. Do not place stock, backpacks or extension cords on the floor. Immediately pick up small pieces created by tools such as the chop saw, bandsaw, and scroll saw.
17. Immediately report all unsafe actions to your instructor, i.e. improper student activity, misuse of tools, horseplay, etc. You may prevent an injury or even safe a life.
18. Do not place water or other liquids near electrical outlets or power tools, spills could result in severe electrical shock. Coffee cups, soda cans etc. should never be placed on power tools.
19. Do not wear gloves when operating power tools. The glove may get caught in moving parts and pull your hand into the machine.
20. All powered woodcutting and sanding tools must be operated with the proper dust collection equipment turned on. Portable sanders should be used on the downdraft tables.
21. Never use power tools to cut wood containing any type of metal fasteners. If you are unsure whether a piece of wood contains metal fasteners, do not use it! Never machine wood that is damp, moldy, contains paint, sand or other debris.
22. Never use powered machines when impaired. This includes when you are sick, too tired, stressed, to hurried to work carefully or on medication that could make you drowsy. The wood shop is no place for drugs or alcohol.
23. Always wear the proper attire: eye protection, respiratory protection, hearing protection, closed-toe footwear, etc. Do not wear sun glasses or have ear bud wires hanging loose.
24. Clean up all spills immediately; oil, water, wood finish, coffee etc. These are a slip hazard and can cause extreme injury.
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Hand Tool Safety Instructions
1. Wear safety glasses whenever you are working with hand tools.
2. Do not use a hammer or mallet with a loose head.
3. Use caution when moving bar clamps; clamp heads can slip and pinch.
4. Clamp stock down when driving screws.
5. Carry pointed and sharp tools with the dangerous edge aimed down.
6. Keep both hands behind the cutting edge when using a chisel.
7. Use the proper tool for the job, e.g. do not use a chisel to open a paint can.
8. When using a chisel or other handheld blade, always cut away from yourself.
9. Keep the floor and aisles clear of lumber, cords, backpacks, etc.
10. Make sure your grip and footing are secure when using hand tools.
11. Do not use broken or damaged tools, report damage to your instructor.
12. Keep tools sharp. A sharp tool is dangerous, a dull tool is Very Dangerous.
13. Use the correct size and type of screwdriver for the fastener you are using.
14. Do not use a file or rasp without a handle.
15. Do not engage in horseplay or running in the lab.
16. Report all injuries, no matter how slight, to your instructor.
17. Watch out for yourself and everyone else in the lab.
18. Always wear your safety glasses.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE JOINTER
1. Stock to be surfaced must be at least 1/2" thick and a minimum of 10" in length.
2. The jointer should only be used for clean, dry lumber. Carefully inspect all wood for checks, loose knots, nails or other defects before using the jointer.
3. Light cuts, no more than 1/32” - 1/16", are to be taken when surfacing stock.
4. ALWAYS use a push block when face jointing stock.
5. The guard must be used and in place at all times; No Exceptions!
6. Wear safe clothing; no loose long sleeves, jacket fronts, hoodie strings. etc.
7. Fingers must be held on top of the stock, your hands must never pass over the cutter head. The hands are to be passed around the cutter head.
8. Give the machine your undivided attention; do not look around or talk to others while you are operating the jointer.
9. Be sure the jointer is on and running at full speed before any jointing or surfacing is done.
10. The floor around the jointer OR ANY MACHINE must be kept clear so that you will be able to maintain a safe footing. Do not place stock to be jointed on the floor.
11. When using the jointer always make sure to complete the cut. Push the stock completely past the cutter head, and far enough to allow the guard to return to its proper position over the cutter head.
12. Wear your safety glasses.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PLANER
1. Stock shorter than SEVEN INCHES cannot be successfully planed.
2. Do not remove more than 1/32” - 1/16” per pass.
3. Always check the wood before planing for defects and foreign material. Be sure that all stock is new lumber, clean and free from anything that might damage the knives: rocks, nails, sand, loose knots etc.
4. Wood that is warped, cupped, twisted or bowed will cause inconsistent contact with the feed rolls of the planer. Joint the concave surface first before running it through the planer.
5. Always check the depth of cut before planing your stock. Be conservative with your first pass as your board probably has differing thicknesses throughout it.
6. Never look into the planer while the machine is in operation, chips or pieces of wood may be thrown out.
7. Stand to one side of the stock when using the planer, not directly behind it.
8. Never, for any reason, reach your hand into the planer or past the feed rolls. If something is caught and needs removing, FIRST TURN OFF THE POWER, wait until the machine comes to a complete stop and then remove the obstruction with a stick.
9. Allow stock to travel completely through the planer rolls before making any depth of cut adjustment.
10. Stock is always to be planed with the grain, never across the grain or against end grain.
11. Be careful when planing short stock. Infeed rollers will sometimes cause short stock to quickly tilt up and then down. This can cause a pinch point for fingers between the table and the stock.
12. Always wear your safety glasses.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TABLE SAW
1. Stock to be sawed must lie flat on the table and must always have a straight true edge to be held firmly against the fence. NEVER SAW "FREE HAND".
2. Always use the riving knife unless making a cut that doesn’t pass completely through the thickness of the wood (like a dado).
3. The saw blade must not project more than 1/8" above the stock being sawed.
4. Saw blades with more teeth are for plywood, saw blades with less teeth are for solid wood.
5. Check the set-up of the machine carefully for each job before you turn on the power.
6. Stand to one side of the line of the saw blade.
7. Always control the stock between the blade and the fence when ripping. Continue this control until the stock is past the riving knife.
8. Use a push stick when ripping narrow pieces of stock.
9. NEVER reach over a moving saw blade.
10. When operating a saw, give all your attention to the saw. Do not let yourself be distracted.
11. Feed the stock only as fast as the saw will freely cut.
12. If it is necessary to stop in the middle of a cut, stop the saw first, holding the stock still until the blade stops rotating, then carefully remove the stock.
13. Cross-cut: no fence!
14. Wear your safety glasses.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MITER SAW
1. Use miter saws for cross-cutting only: never for ripping stock.
2. Workpiece should be against the fence. Do not cut free handed.
3. Only cross cut stock that is flat and straight, if necessary joint it first.
4. Secure the stock with a clamp or hold down if possible.
5. Keep hands out of the path of the saw blade.
6. Whenever possible cut on the obtuse side of an angle.
7. At the end of each cut, wait for the blade to come to a complete stop before retracting the saw to its upright position.
8. Keep the cutting station clean: pick-up scraps and vacuum sawdust.
9. Do not start the saw with the blade touching the wood. Allow blade to reach full speed before making the cut.
10. Avoid reaching over the saw line. No cross armed cuts.
11. For proper control, never “pull” the saw through the cut, always push cut.
12. Never cut small pieces: always maintain a 4” margin of safety between all body parts and the blade.
13. Pick up small off-cuts that fall on the floor, they are a trip hazard or may cause a turned ankle.
14. Always wear your safety glasses.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DRILL PRESS
1. Check the speed setting to see that it is correct for the work. Holes over ½” should be bored at a slow speed.
2. Use only approved bits. Those with lead screws or excessive length should not be used.
3. Mount the bit securely in the Jacobs chuck. Remove the chuck-key immediately.
4. Position the table and adjust the depth so that there is no possibility of the bit striking the table. The stock should be placed on a wood scrap board when holes go all the way through.
5. If the drill bit seizes your work immediately turn the drill press off. Do not grab the rapidly spinning piece, this could cause injury.
6. Work should never be held by hand when using the drill press. Always position it against the fence, against the drill column, or clamp it down. Place the longest portion of the stock to the left of the operator so that the rotational forces will pull it away from the operator, towards the column.
7. Feed the bit smoothly into the work. When boring deep holes, withdraw the bit frequently to clear the shavings and cool the bit.
8. Never reach around or under a rotating drill bit or grab the chuck to stop a drill press. This can result in hand puncture or other serious injury.
9. Remove loose fitting clothing, jewelry, and tie back long hair.
10. Give the work your undivided attention.
11. Do not wear gloves or anything that would allow a hand, fingers or clothing to be wrapped around the revolving bit.
12. When drilling into cylindrical stock always use a “V” block.
13. Ease the pressure on the feed as the drill breaks through the under-side of the work being drilled. This will keep the drill from breaking or the work from being pulled up the bit.
14. Always use a brush to remove chips or shavings and keep the floor area around the drill press clean.
15. Immediately remove the chuck key from the Jacobs chuck after tightening a bit. If left in the chuck, it could be thrown out when the drill is turned on; causing injury.
16. Always wear your safety glasses.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BAND SAW
1. Make all adjustments when the machine is at a full stop.
2. Always keep your fingers and hands away from the path of the blade. Use a push stick when feeding stock close to the blade, NEVER use your hand when feeding stock close, and in line with the cutting edge of the blade.
3. Immediately step away if the saw blade breaks or comes off the wheel. Shut off the power if possible without endangering yourself or others. Above all, do not touch a blade that has just broken or come off until the machine has come to a complete stop.
4. The upper saw guide should never be set more than 1/4” above the stock being cut.
5. The saw blade must be kept from twisting or binding when sawing curves.
6. Avoid backing the saw out of a long, curved cut. Anticipate the sawing procedure so that there may be a maximum of forward feed with a minimum of backing out of cuts. Make relief cuts whenever possible.
7. If it becomes necessary to back out of a long cut, stop the machine and carefully back out after the blade has come to a complete stop.
8. Use the correct size blade: narrow for small, sharp turns, wider for large, gentle curves.
9. Cutting cylindrical or irregular stock on the band saw without a special jig or V-block (approved by the instructor) is forbidden.
10. Unless you are the operator, stay away from a band saw that is in use, ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, since a broken blade has a tendency to be thrown in that direction.
11. Decrease the feed pressure as you approach the end of a cut.
12. Keep the floor around a band saw clean and free of obstructions, scraps or clutter. Small scrap pieces are a trip hazard and can twist an ankle.
13. Wear safe clothing. Always wear your safety glasses.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DISK, BELT, & SPINDLE SANDERS
1. Always sand on the downward motion side of the disk sander.
2. Always feed stock at a controlled, moderate rate. Never with extreme pressure.
3. Do not use the disk sander for large removal of wood. Use the band saw or other machine for large removal.
4. Use the disk sander for sanding convex or flat surfaces only.
5. Always keep your fingers at least 2" from the abrasive surface at all times.
6. Never sand small objects that could be pulled into the sander.
7.Always use safety glasses when using these machines.
8. Respiratory protection and dust collection is advised when using the sanders
9. Roll sleeves up past the elbow and ensure that no loose clothing will get caught in the belt or disc while operating the belt/disc sander. Tuck clothing in if necessary.
10. Have the dust extracting system turned on and connected to the sander. Dust created when sanding wood is a health hazard.
11. The spindle sander is used for concave and convex shapes but does not do well on flat surfaces. Always be aware of the direction of rotation and feed your stock against the rotation.
12. Always check that the power switch is off on portable sanders before plugging them in.
13. Should you wear your safety glasses? OF COURSE, always wear your safety glasses!
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROUTERS
1. Always unplug the motor when mounting bits or making adjustments.
2. The bit must be securely mounted in the collet to a depth of at least ½" and the base must be tight.
3. As with all portable tools, be sure the motor is properly grounded.
4. Wear eye protection when using the router.
5. Be certain the work is securely clamped and that it will remain stationary during the routing operation.
6. Place the router base on the work or template with the bit clear of the wood before turning on the power. Hold it firmly when turning it on to overcome the starting torque.
7. Hold the router in both hands and feed it smoothly through the cut in the correct direction.
8. When the cut is complete, turn off the motor and do not lift the machine from the work until the motor has stopped.
9. When using the router table be sure the fence is positioned correctly and locked in place.
10. Make sure the switch is in the “OFF” position before plugging it in.
11. Never throw router bits into the bottom of a drawer. The bits should be stored in a router bit holder, this will keep them sharp.
12. Always disconnect the power when changing bits, adjusting the router, mounting attachments, or before leaving the router unattended.
13. Never start a router with the bit in contact with the stock. This could violently throw the stock, bend the router bit, damage the router, and make you lose control of a live power tool.
14. Properly tighten router bits in the collet, a loose bit will slip and damage your stock.
15. To prevent climb cutting, always feed the stock against the rotation of the cutter.
16. Bits larger than 1” in diameter should never be used in a handheld router. They should only be used in a variable speed router, fixed in a router table.
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WOOD LATHE
1. Check the wood to make sure that it has no defects that could cause it to disintegrate when turning.
2. Check all glue joints before turning stock. Never use thermo-plastic adhesive to glue-up stock: use thermo-set glue.
3. Fasten the stock securely between centers, and make sure that the tailstock is locked before turning on the power.
4. Rotate the stock by hand before turning on the power.
5. Keep the tool rest as close to the stock as possible. Try to keep it 1/4" or less away from the stock.
6. Stop the lathe when making any adjustments.
7. Remove the tool rest for sanding or polishing.
8. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing. Pay close attention to unusual sounds or vibrations. Stop the lathe to investigate the cause. Don’t operate machines when you are tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
9. Keep tools sharp and clean for better and safer performance. Don’t force a dull tool. Don’t use a tool for a purpose that it was not designed for or intended for.
10. Hold turning tools securely on the tool rest, holding the tool in a controlled but comfortable manner. Always contact the tool rest with the tool before contacting the wood.
11. Always check the speed of the lathe before turning it on. Use slower speeds for larger diameters or rough pieces and higher speeds for smaller diameters.
12. Tie back long hair; do not wear gloves; and avoid loose clothing, jewelry, or any dangling objects that may catch on rotating parts or accessories.
13. Don’t overreach, keep proper footing, and keep your balance at all times.
14. Always wear a faceshield when operating the lathe.