Woodworking Safety Tips

Woodworking is a great hobby that can really bring out the creative side in the person working with the wood. Without proper care and attention, however, woodworking can turn disastrous. When working with wood, saws, and other potentially dangerous products, it is important to take heed of some safety tips to keep safe when using the equipment.

Use Your Head

One of the most important pieces of equipment for anyone working with wood is the brain. Use your head when working with wood and try to keep your wits about you. Many incidents happen in wood shops when people simply "tune out" for a few moments and accidents happen. By thinking through cuts and movements in the shop, you can prevent injury and turn out a beautiful product. Thinking before acting can save scrap wood and extremities.

Clean Your Shop

Keeping a clean shop is important for obvious reasons, but it also helps promote good safety techniques. Clean equipment and tidy working spaces can make moving around the shop easier and can prevent clumsy incidents involving less-than-ideal equipment. A cluttered shop can be an accident waiting to happen, so take time to eliminate the extra clutter and keep a tidy shop.

Keep Patient

Some of the most significant accidents when woodworking occur with an impatient woodworker. Many incidents happen because the cutting is done too quickly or the work is rushed. Instead, keep a clear head and take a break when you feel rushed or hurried. It is also important to take a step back for a moment when frustrated, as mistakes that can occur out of frustration can cost more significant problems than scrap wood or poor cutting.

Keep Protected

Wear safety equipment when working with wood and saws. You should not be woodworking if you do not have all of the appropriate safety equipment to meet any safety regulations. Ear protection, lung protection, steel-toed boots, and eye goggles are of vital importance when working with wood. Make sure all of your tools have their safety features in place, too, and avoid using fingers when working close to the blade.

Keeping protected also relates to wearing proper clothing and ensuring that you are working with wood with a clear mind. Woodworking under the influence of alcohol, even the slightest amount, can lead to problems because of the slowed reaction time. Also, make sure to wear proper clothing. Avoid loose fitting clothing and tie long hair back. This is especially important when woodworking with children.

Don't be Forceful

It is important to realize that sometimes the wood doesn't cut like it should. If the saw resists the cut, don't force it through. Instead, stop the saw and investigate. Anything from an improperly seated plate to a misaligned rip fence can cause problems with cutting, so be sure to properly investigate the situation before continuing. Forcing the blade can cause problems with kickback or other accidental contact with the blade.

Woodworking can be fun and exciting, but without the proper safety regulations it can be dangerous. Next time you step out into the garage to work on your daughter's dollhouse, be sure to keep safety first and ensure that you will be able to enjoy your creation for years to come.

Wood Turning Safety - Essential for Enjoyment

The practice of wood turning involves throwing wood at one's face and stopping it with sharp tools. While this is said somewhat tongue in cheek, it is none the less true. It is to hoped that the method of securing the wood on the lathe will be sound but it also true that there is less than sound wood to contend with at times, not to mention the shavings that often come directly at the turner's face and which may be accompanied by splinters of wood and pieces of bark. Obviously some rules for safety need to followed. While most are simple common sense that does not mean that all wood turners everywhere follow them. In fact, the first and most important rule of safety is simply to use common sense. If something looks dangerous it likely is. Do not do it.

1.Know your lathe well. Read the manual and learn all the parts and what they do.

2.Protect your eyes, ears and nose. Use a full face mask for turning, hearing protectors when the noise is loud, and a good dust mask for sanding.

3.Keep dangling things away from turning wood which could catch them and pull you in. Long hair should be tied back and do not wear loose clothing, jewelry or other loose objects.

4.Use an appropriate speed for the wood on the lathe. If the lathe shakes, slow it down until balance is achieved.

5.Keep all belt guards in place and make sure that the tail stock and tool rest are tight. Check them periodically as you turn.

6.Rotate the wood by hand to ensure it clears the tool rest and lathe bed before turning on the lathe.

7.Turn off the lathe before adjusting the rest.

8.Maintain a firm but comfortable grip on the tool at all times.

9.Do not reach over turning wood. Shut the lathe off first. Make sure you have a firm stance and good footing. Clean up the shavings as they get in the way.

10. Regularly maintain the lathe to ensure it is sound and in good repair.

11. Dull tools do not cut well and may slip. Sharpen often. A good thing to remember is to sharpen to keep a tool sharp, not to regrind a dull tool.

12. Use good lighting in the work area.

13. If tired, rest. Do not use the lathe when tired or when using alcohol or drugs.

14. Beware of electric shock. Electric cords need to be in good repair and the lathe should not be used under wet condition.

15. Make sure all wrenches, chuck adjusting tools and other loose objecs are removed before turning on the lathe.

16. Never leave the lathe running unattended, even if only turning around for another tool.

Remember that the work is not over until a piece is sanded and a finish is applied. Sanding will generate an amazing amount of dust that is harmful to your lungs. A simple sanding mask should be worn and if possible a dust collector used. Many popular turning finishes are safe for human consumption but others may be toxic, including the fumes. Read all directions carefully and use appropriate safety measures such as ventilation and breathing masks. Above all, be aware that people have turned wood safely for thousands of years and a few simple precautions will continue to make it safe and enjoyable.

Woodworking Workshop Safety Tips

Fine woodworking can be a most enjoyable pastime, but it's no fun when you get injured in the workshop. The truth is, most workshop accidents can be avoided, by taking some simple, precautionary measures, and using common sense. While there are an infinite number of ways to potentially injury yourself in the workshop, there's also plenty you can do to avoid such painful mishaps. Listed below, are some tips on how you can keep your workspace hazard-free:

Keep Your Woodworking Workspace Cleaned And Organized

This means putting your tools away, when the workday is done. All of your tools ! Designate storage areas for every tool you own, every box of screws, and every other item in your workshop. Wrap up power cords, stack lumber neatly, or stow it away in a crate or bin. Give the floor a quick sweep every day - you may be surprised at all the items that happen to fall to the floor. This is the most common way for hand tools to "mysteriously disappear".

Keep Loose Items Away From Power Tools

A drawstring from a hooded sweatshirt, a necklace, a bandanna, the drawstring from a nail apron, long hair, or a loose shirt sleeve. All these things, and others, can get caught up in a spinning saw blade, and cause serious injury. Before pulling the "on" trigger of any power tool, be sure that you have no loose items dangling in harm's way. It only takes a split second for an accident to happen.

Don't Store Sharp Tools Overhead

Tools like chisels, knives, and any sharp objects should never be stored overhead, like on shelves, where they can accidentally fall and cut you. Stow items like these away in drawers, or wrap them up in heavy cloth, canvas, or leather wrap.

Don't Let Your Safety Equipment Collect Dust!

You bought those safety glasses, goggles, ear plugs, and protective gloves - use them! What's the point in having these safety woodworking tools, if they're just sitting there, collecting dust? The day you forget to put on those safety glasses, is the same day you'll end up with a wood chip lodged in your eye. Avoid a trip to the emergency room, and use your safety glasses. Wear gloves when handling rough lumber or using chemical solvents and liquid finishing products. Splinters can be quite painful, and some solvents can cause nasty irritations. Also, remember to use ear plugs or ear muffs, when running loud power tools. Use a respirator when exposing yourself to chemical vapors. And get in the habit of wearing a dust particle mask whenever sanding wood, or doing lots of cutting with a power saw.

Don't Rush Your Work!

Going too fast, is a recipe for disaster. There's no need to hurry, especially when using power tools. Slow down and you'll also find that you make fewer mistakes.

Let The Tool Do The Work

If your tools are sharp like they should be, you shouldn't have to "horse" them, in order to get them to work better. This rule goes right along with the previous one. Don't think that by going faster, you're going to get quicker results, the opposite is more likely! Be sure that your saw blades are sharp and check the individual teeth on all of your tool blades. If you notice any broken or missing teeth, the blade won't do its job correctly. Repair or replace blades like these, whenever necessary. Learn how to sharpen your own tools, like wood chisels buy a 3-way sharpening stone and correct oil, to get your chisels razor sharp. Your tools will do the work - only if they're sharp. Never force a power tool! If the tool isn't cutting, or otherwise working properly, there's a reason for it! Stop, check, and see what the problem is.