Popular Woodworking 2007-11 № 165, страница 49

really not very practical. If your hand is so close to something that your ring or watch are going to catch and pull you in then you've already put yourself at risk. I remember the safety speech in high school about keeping your fingers away from the blades on the jointer because they can cut you. What? That was my entire safety lesson! I also remember bits of the other common-sense rules that included: dress properly, watch your hair (not a problem for me today), keep the shop clean, no horseplay, don't carry screws or nails in your mouth, unplug the machine before you make any adjustments and so on. Great common-sense rules, but we need more.

When it came to the technique side of how to use stationary tools, everything was according to the textbook, but it wasn't enough. We were never taught the theory of the machine, the actions of the machine and the results of those actions. We never learned anything about where the control points were to maintain safe handling at and through the point of contact, nor did we learn the best ways to minimize exposure. This is the perfect place to begin safety in today's shop.

Learn This Word: Control

All woodworking machines operate by rotating or reciprocating motion, or by a combination of these motions. Each machine is engineered to provide control that counters the actions taking place — especially at the point of contact. There are three concerns for control at each machine: the direction of the rotating/reciprocating cutter, the position of the wood at the point of contact, and the execution of the movement of wood through the process.

A well-designed machine uses control to counter the kicking and grabbing forces that naturally take place with rotating/reciprocating cutters and provides the user with a clear range of motion through the entire process. For example, a power miter saw does a great job using control to its advantage. The motion of the blade rotates away from the operator toward the fence, which causes the blade to actually push the wood, while being cut, against the control of the fence. At the same time the motion of bringing the blade down into

Good control. Miter saws offer good control points. The spinning blade pushes the stock down and against the fence during the cut.

A safe saw. Band saws also offer excellent control points. The rotating blade pushes the stock against the control of the table, which eliminates the problem of the work kicking toward the operator — as long as the work is supported by the table.

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