Popular Woodworking 2006-06 № 155, страница 88

Great Woodshops

Mehler chose this Felder combo machine (jointer, mortiser, sliding table saw and shaper) because he insists that it incorporates superior safety features.

Mehler and his shop assistant keep a close watch to ensure everyone is working safely.

It's no surprise the shop is designed around a safety-first attitude, a consideration that extends to the machines Mehler has selected. The majority are by Felder, said Mehler, who feels they're not only extremely well built, but that the guard systems and dust collection capabilities make them "much, much safer" than many other woodworking machines. Mehler is concerned that because this is such high-end equipment his students aren't getting training on machinery they're likely to own, but feels the safety benefits outweigh that concern. "The people who come to my school are my responsibility; I feel more comfortable with people using machinery on which the safety features are as good as possible," he said.

Also, because many of his machines convert from one type of tool to another, they're more space-efficient than a series of dedicated machines. The Felder BF741 Combo machine that sits in the center of the first floor

Students are hard at work on drop-leaf tables on the shop's second floor. Here, they do handwork and use portable power tools. Like downstairs, all the equipment connects to dust collectors, and air filtration systems help students breathe cleaner air - another health/safety issue that Mehler is diligent about.

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Popular Woodworking June 2006