Machine tools

Risk associated with the use of wood working machines

 There are several risks that are associated with the use of woodworking machines.

 These risks include cuts on body parts, amputation of fingers and hands, abrasions, eye injuries,
electrocution and hearing impairment.

 Some machines emit fine saw dust which may also cause respiratory problems.

 In order to safeguard yourself from these risks, one should be able to identify the dangerous
machine parts as well as the safety precautions that should be observed to minimize the risks.

Dangerous machine parts

 The machine parts that cause most injuries include rotating cutters, rotating wheels, moving
parts as well as pressing parts.

 Avoid contact with these parts when using the machines.

Safety precautions observed when using

 There are several general safety precautions that one should observe to mitigate the risks that
may result from using woodworking machines.

 In addition to the general safety precautions, there are specific parts safety rules that are
observed when using specific machines.

Personal protective equipment

1. Avoid horseplay.

2. Remove all loose clothing like neck ties, wrist watches, necklaces and other jewellery that may get
caught up in the moving parts of the machine.

3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

Workshop and housekeeping safety precautions

1. The workshop and area around the machine should be level and not slippery.

2. Remove all obstacles that may lead to tripping, from the machine. The machine should be free
of clutter from tools, off cuts, shavings and sawdust

3. Draw a 90 cm perimeter around the woodworking machines. Only the person operating the
machine should be allowed inside this demarcated area.

4. Ensure that the area around the machine has enough lighting
 5. Remove any spills that may make the area around the machine slippery.

Electrical safety precautions

1. Know the location of the workshop emergence electrical circuit stop button. This information
may become handy where the whole electrical circuit connecting the machines has to be
switched off.

2. Be familiar with the location of start and stop buttons on the machines and their colour codes.
Start buttons are usually coloured green and stop buttons are usually coloured red

3. Ensure that the on and stop buttons are protected from accidental contact

4. Do not ask someone else to switch on or switch off the machine for you.

5. Do not stand behind the Iine of the cuts when switching on the machine. You should stand by
the side of the machine when starting the machine.

6. All wrenches and keys should be removed from the machine before switching it on

7. Make sure that the machine is properly grounded before using it.

8. Do not attempt to repair damaged cables or any electrical faults. Refer all queries to your
teacher

9. Unplug or isolate a machine from the electrical socket when making adjustments changing
cutters or cleaning the machine

10. When plugging in the cable into the electrical socket, make sure the machine has been switched
off. Also switch off the socket before inserting the plug.

11. Do not operate the machine if the conditions in the workshop are damp or wet.

Mechanical safety precautions

1. All cutters must be covered by safety guards before using the machine.

2. Cutters should be sharp and in good condition

3. Ensure that fences, tool rests and jigs are in place and in good condition before using the
machine

4. Mechanical feeding mechanisms should be used on machines that require mechanical feeding

5. All ventilations and exhaust systems should be clear of obstructions.

Operation safety precautions

1. Get permission from the teacher before using the machine.

 2. Do not use any machine unless you have been trained to safely operate it. If you are under the
age of 18 years, you are prohibited from using circular saws and spindle moulders. lf in doubt,
ask your teacher about the correct way of operating the machine.

3. Ensure that you work against the rotation of the cutters. The direction of feeding the wood
should oppose rotation of the cutters

4. Wait until the machine has reached maximum speed before feeding in your work

5. Use the correct machine to carry out a particular operation.

6. if you feel dizzy or ill, stay off the machine.

7. Do not reach over a moving cutter even if it is covered by a work piece

8. Use push sticks, push blocks or jigs when feeding in your workpiece.

9. Do not distract or talk to a person using a machine.

10. Do not machine short lengths or defective timber

11. Do not stand directly behind a work piece that is being machined.

Circular saw

 A circular saw is sometimes called a table circular saw or bench circular saw.

 It is identified a circular saw blade the table or saw blade that is housed in a metal box.

 This metal box is called the table or saw bench.

 The circular saw blade can be lowered into the table

 A large circular saw is called a dimension saw.

Parts of a circular saw

The table

 The table is the cast iron box that houses the motor, spindle and the saw blade.

 It has a flat top which has a gap through which the blade protrudes.

 The gap also allows access to the inside of the metal box.

 A part called a finger plate covers this gap

 The table of small circular saws found in most school workshops is mounted on metal frames
rather than being fixed to the floor as is the case with large circular saws.
Spindle

 A spindle is also called an abhor.

 It is the shaft that is connected to the blade in order to make it rotate.

 The spindle can be connected directly to the electric motor

 In some cases it is connected to the electric motor by using belt pulleys.

 The spindle is raised up and down by the depth adjusting wheel to adjust the depth of the blade

The blade

 Circular saw blades are circular.

 They are available in different sizes.

 The blade can either have cross cut saw teeth or rip saw teeth.

 Some saw teeth are made from a strong metal alloy called Tungsten carbide

 These teeth are called tungsten carbide tipped teeth (TC T).

 These teeth will maintain their sharpness for a long time.

Depth adjusting wheel

 A depth adjusting wheel is a cranked wheel that is wound to raise or lower the blade in order to
adjust its depth of cut.

 It is sometimes called a rise and fall handle or blade lift handle.

Canting hand wheel

 The cant hand wheel is sometimes called a tilt handle.

 It is used to tilt the blade and also useful when cutting bevels or splay edges.

Riving knife

 A riving knife is a piece of flat metal that is fixed behind the circular saw blade.

 It is slightly thicker than the saw blade.

 It curls towards the blade and fits in the saw kerf of the piece being cut.

 This is done to prevent the end of the kerf from closing onto the workpiece and jamming the
saw blade.
  Using a saw without a riving knife will make one to experience a lot of kickbacks.

Ripping fence

 A ripping fence is used to guide the timber being cut to run parallel at a set distance from the
blade.

 The ripping fence can also be up to 45° to cut bevels.

Mitre and cross cutting guide

 A mitre and cross cutting guide has a bar that slides in a groove that runs along the left side of
the table top.

 It is used to hold workpieces when cross cutting.

 The guide can also be adjusted to any angle when making angled cuts like mitres.

Finger plate

 The finger plate covers the gap through which the blade protrudes.

 It can be lifted to allow access to the interior of the table.

Packing

 These are leather or fabrics that are used to cover the gap between the edges of the finger plate
and the blade.

Crown guard

 The crown guard covers the saw blade in order to protect you from accidentally touching the
saw blade.

Nose guard

 The nose guard covers the gap between the saw blade and the material being cut

Knurled adjusting knob

 The is found on a sliding bar that is attached to the ripping fence.

 It is rotated to adjust the ripping fence.

 The adjustment is guided measurements on the graduated scale found above the sliding bar

Uses

1. Cross cutting.
 2. Cutting rnitres.

3. Cutting housings.

4. Cutting tenons.

5. Cutting notches.

6. Cutting halving joints

7. Cutting birds mouths.

 When fitted with a rip saw blade, the circular saw can be used for the following:

1. Ripping which is also called flatting. The riving knife should be fitted when ripping

2. Deeping which involves cutting a work piece to the required thickness

3. Rebating

4. Cutting grooves.

5. Cutting chamfers, splay edges and bevels

Circular saw safety rules

1. Wear safety glassses and safety shoes. Do not wear gloves because they may be caught by the
saw blade as it rotates.

2. Keep the area around the saw free from saw dust and off cuts. These may Cause accidents when
you step on them.

3. Fix all guards and fences before using the machine

4. Keep all hands away from the blade

5. Use a push stick to rip work pieces which are 150mm wide or less.

6. Do not reach over the rotating blade.

7. You should not use a saw without a riving knife to protect yourself against kickbacks

8. Seek help when ripping long pieces.

9. You should not talk to someone when cutting on a table saw

10. You should never leave the machine running while attending to other tasks

How to operate a circular saw

Ripping

In order to safely use a circular saw for ripping follow the following steps:

1. Adjust the fence to the required distance from the blade.The distance of the fence from the
blade should be equal to the required width of the work piece. The fence should be locked in
position on the sliding bar if you are to maintain uniform width of the work piece .The fence
should be set to cover just about half the diameter of the blade. If it extends beyond the blade,
the work piece will got caught between the fence and the blade. This will result in kick backs

2. Adjust the depth of the blade by cranking the blade adjusting wheel. The blade should protrudes
the surface being cut by between 6mm and 10mm.

3. Adjust the crown guard and the riving knife

4. Re- check your adjustment to verify their accuracy

5. Switch on the machine

6. Press the work piece on the table and push the work piece slowly towards the blade. Use a
push stick when the work piece approaches the blade. If you are ripping a long piece, have
someone to stand behind the blade to receive the board

Cutting bevels and chamfers

 To cut bevels and chamfers use the canting hand wheel to tilt the blade to the required angle
and follow the steps followed when ripping.

Cross cutting

1. Set the cross cutting guide perpendicular the sliding bar to ensure a square cut.

2. Remove the ripping fence or move it to a distance that will prevent interference with the
workpiece.

3. Adjust the blade to enable it to protrude about 6mm above the surface of the workpiece.

4. Adjust the crown guard.

5. Switch on the machine.

6. Hold the piece firmly against the cross cutting guide and cut the workpiece

7. When cutting several pieces to the same length, attach a wooden fence to the cross cutting
guide. Pin a stop block on this wooden fence at the required distance from the blade.
Cutting mitres

 To cut mitres, adjust the mitre guide to 45° and follow the steps followed when cross cutting.

Surface planer

 A surface planer is sometimes called a jointer. It the first machine that is used to dress timber.

Parts of a surface planner

Cutter block

 Cutter blocks are cylindrical blocks of metal that are slotted along the length to hold cutters.
The cutter block can hold two or more blades depending on the design. Cutter blocks are
rotated by electric motor at high speeds.

Blades
 Blades are also called ciutters.
 These are made from high strength chrome carbon steel.
 They are held in the cutter block in slots along the cutter block
Tables

 A surface planer has two tables, a front table called the infeed table and a rear table called an
outfeed table.

Infeed table

 The infeed table is the front table that holds the workpiece that is to be planed.

 It is raised or lowered by the infeed table adjusting wheel to set the depth of the cutters.

Outfeed table

 The outfeed table receives the stock that has passed over the cutters.

 It is raised or lowered by the outfeed table adjusting wheel.

 For general cutting, the outfeed table should be level with the top of the cutting circle of the
blade.

Infeed table adjusting wheel

 This is also called the depth adjusting wheel.

 This wheel is located on the front of the plane below the infeed table.

 It is used to raise or lower the infeed table in order to adjust the depth of the blades.

Outfeed table adjusting wheel

  This wheel is located at the back of the plane below the outfeed table.

 It is used to adjust the height of the rear table.

Fence

 It is used to guide the workrkpiece when planing the face edge

 It can be set at 900 when planning a face edge or tilted to plane chamfers and bevels.

 The fence can also be moved across the table when cutting rebates.

Bridge guard

 Bridge guards are used to cover the blades when planing.

 This protects one from accidentally touching the blades while planing.

Uses

1. To plane the face side. The minimum length of the stock should be 300mm. The workpiece
should be about 50 mm longer than the distance between the infeed and outfeed table

2. To plane the face edge. When planing the face edge, the fence is set at 90° to the surface of the
infeed table

3. . Rebating.

4. Planing bevels or chamfers. When planning bevels or chamfers, the fence is tilted.

Surface planer safety rules

1. Wear safety glasses and earmuffs. Do not wear gloves.

2. Have someone to help you when planning long pieces.

3. Switch off the machine when making adjustments.

4. You should have guards in place when planing.

5. Avoid planing timber with loose knots.

6. Use a push block topush timber over the cutters.

7. You should adjust your plane to take off thin shavings at each pass

8. Do not leave the machine running as you attend to other business.

9. Pay maximum attention to your work. Do not talk to your friend when using the machine.
 10. . Plane your workpiece in the direction of the grain. Do not plane the wood against its grain.

11. Never plane a piece with defects such as loose knots.

12. You should never plane a workpiece that has nails, screws or any metal parts.

How to operate the surface planer

Planing the face side

1. Use the infeed table adjusting wheel to adjust the depth of cut. The cutters should just protrude
by about 1.5mm to 2mm for general planing. Do not adjust your cutters to take off thick
shavings. This increases the chances of injury.

2. Check the outfeed table to see whethe rit is in line with the top of the cutting circle of the
blades. If the rear table is higher than this cutting line, the piece planed will have a taper along
its length. If the rear table is lower than the top of the cutting circle, the piece will be gouged out
as it leaves the

3. Check the fence and adjust it so that it does not interfere with the piece being planed.

4. Adjust the guards.

5. Press the piece on the infeed table and push towards the cutters. Use a push block as you
approach the cutters.

6. If the piece that you intend to plane is warped, the concave side of the board should face down
rather than up.

planning the face side of a cupped board

Planing the face edge

 The face edge is planed with the face side pressed against the fence.

1. Adjust the fence at 900 to the infeed table. Use a try square to check for squareness of the
fence.

2. Put the spring loaded guard in place.

3. Press the workpiece on its edge, firmly against the fence and push the stock towards the cutters.

Planing bevels or chamfer

1. Adjust the fence to the required angle.

2. Put the spring loaded guard in place.

3. Press the workpiece firmly against the fence and push the stock towards the Cutters.
Planing rebates

1. 1.Adjust the fence by moving it to the left to leave a gap on the cutters that is equal to the width
of the rebate.

2. Adjust the infeed table to the depth of the rebate.

3. 3.Push the stock over the cutters.

The thicknesser

 A thicknesser is sometimes called a panel planer.

 It is used after the surface planer to dress timber to thickness.

 It is called a panel planer because it is capable of planing wide boards called panels.

 The timber to be planed is inserted into the plane through the infeed table

 This timber is planed and exits the plane through the outfeed table that is located at the back of
the planer.

 Some thicknessing machines called combination planers.

 The machines combine the operations of a surface plane and a thicknesser.

Parts of a thicknesser

Infeed table

 The infeed table is sometimes called the rise and fall table.

 It is located at the front of the machine.

 The infeed table receives the workpiece that is to be planed.

 It is raised and lowered by the hand wheel to set the thickness to which the workpiece is to be
planed

 When setting the thickness you will be guided by a graduated scale that is provided on the right
hand side of the body.

The outfeed table

 The outfeed receives the planed board

Internal parts of a thicknesser

Cutter block

 The thicknesser uses a cylindrical cutter block similar to the one used in surface planers.

 This cutter block is slotted along its full length to hold the blades.

 The number of blades usually from two to four

Infeed roller

 The infeed roller is serrated along its length.

 It grips the workpiece and feeds it towards the cutters.

Chip breaker

 The chip breaker is fixed in front of the cutter block.

 It is spring loaded.

 The chip breaker presses the workpiece down onto the infeed table. It also breaks the chips
from the workpiece.

Pressure bar

 The pressure bar is placed behind the cutters.

 It is used to press the workpiece onto the outfeed table as it leaves the cutters.

Anti-friction rollers

 Antifriction rollers are located below the cutter block.

 They are used to reduce friction on the workpiece as it slides along the tables.

Hand wheels

 The hand wheel is located at the front of the thicknesser.

 It is used to adjust the thickness of the workpiece.

 Some thicknessers use a pneumatic mechanisnm to raise or lower the infeed table.

 These use the buttons rather than the hand wheel.

Locking lever

Locking lever is used to lock the infeed table in place after adjusting it to the required thickness.
Uses

 A thickrnesser is used to plane timber to the required thickness.

 It is useful when planning wide boards.

 The thicknesser should only be used after dressing the face side and face edge on a surface
plane to obtain a flat surface

 The reason for doing this is that the thicknesser depends on the quality of the opposite surface
to produce a relatively flat surface.

Thicknesser safety rules

1. Wear safety glasses and earmuffs.

2. Get help when planing long pieces.

3. Do not plane warped or twisted workpieces

4. Do not switch on the machine while the workpiece is inside.

5. Do not peep into the machine if it is still running.

6. Do not use your hands to reach into the infeed or outfeed table.

7. You should not stand directly in front of the infeed table.Stand on the side of the machine.

8. Seek help when planing long workpieces.

9. Only plane one workpiece at a time.

10. If the workpiece jams in the machine. Stop the machine and lower the infeed table to remove
it.

How to operate the thicknesser

1. The thicknesser is safer and easier to use than a surface plane. It requires only a few
adjustments before use. In order to safely use this machine, follow the steps below.

2. Use a scale provided on the front of the planer to adjust the infeed table to the required
thickness. Do not force the planer to plane a workpiece to the required thickness at once. Only
plane off about 3mm from the workpiece in each pass. If you try to plane off a thick shaving at
once, the planer will jam. You should therefore pass your workpiece several times through the
machine to plane to the required thickness.

3. Lock the adjusted infeed table using the locking device

4. Switch on the machine

 5. After switching on the machine, feed your workpiece slowly into the infeed table. Remember to
feed your workpiece in a straight motion

6. Do not pull your work piece from the outfeed table to avoid snipes. A snipe is a cut that is
slightly deeper than the surface of the workpiece that occurs at the end of the workpiece that is
planed in a thicknesser.A snipe occurs when rollers pull the workpiece up against the cutters as
it leaves the machine table resulting in deeper cuts on the end of the workpiece.

Spindle moulder

 A spindle moulder is sometimes called a wood shaper.

 It is a multi- purpose wood working machine that can perform many tasks it performs most of
the tasks done by a portable router. The profiles cut on a spindle moulder are however larger
than those produced on a portable router.

Parts of a spindle moulder

Base

 The base of a spindle moulder is similar to the base of the circular saw.

 It is a heavy cast iron box that resists vibration

 The bases houses the electric motor and the spindle

 It also supports the table

Table

 It is the flat cast iron surface that is mounted on the base

 It has an opening of about 180mm in the middle where the spindle protrudes.

 The table supports the infeed and outfeed fence as well as the hood guard

Spindle
 It is a vertical shaft of diameter 30mm which protrudes above the table from the base.

 it is made from high grade tool steel. The spindle is connected on its bottom to a stepped belt
pulley drive.

 The pulley drive is connected to an electric motor to rotate the spindle.

 The uppper part of the spindle carries the cutter block.

  The spindle can be raised or lowered by the handle to adjust the height of the cutters above the
table

Cutter blocks

 It holds the various cutters that are used on a spindle moulder.it is fixed to the upper part of the
spindles by collars and spindle nut.They are many different types of cutter block that can be
attached to the spindle moulder.The most common one includes the French head cutter block,
square cutter block and the white hille circular cutter block

Cutters

 Cutters are blades of different profiles and shapes.

 They are made from alloy tool steel .

 The cutters are fixed to the cutter blocks by means of spindle nuts,

 They protrude outwards from the edges of the cutter block

 When the cutter block is rotated by the spindle, the cutters cut into the wood to produce
preferred profiles.

Fence

 The fence is fixed on the table top.

 It is made up of two parts, the infeed fence and the outfeed fence.

 This fence can be moved backwards and forwards across the table to adjust the depth of the
cutters.

 The fence is used to guide the workpiece when making straight cuts on the spindle moulder.

False fence

 The false fence is made out of timber.

 It is attached to the infeed fence and outfeed fence to close the gap between the two halves of
the fence where the cutter block is exposed.

 The false fence hides the cutters. It exposes only a small part of the cutters.

 This prevents the workpiece from getting into the gaps between the two fences.
Ring fence

 A ring fence is a circular fence that is placed below or above the cutter block when moulding
curved work.

 The straight fence is removed when moulding curved work.

Hood guard

 A hood guard is a cover that is placed top of the cutter block to conceal it.

 It prevents accidental contact with the rotating cuter block.

Shaw guards

 Shaw guards are spring loaded cramps that hold the workpiece as it is pushed through the
cutters.

 The upper part of the shaw guard presses the workpiece down on the table.

 The other part pushes the workpiece gainst the fence.

Hand wheel

 The hand wheel uses a rise and fall mechanism to raise or lower the spindle

Motor

 The electric motor is used to transmit torque to the stepped pulley drive.

 This in turn drives the spindle.

Uses

 The spindle moulder is a versatile machine that can be used for various operations.

 It can be used to cut various types of mouldings, cut raised panels, grooves, trenches, rebates,
comb joints and the tongue and groove joint.

Spindle moulder safety rules

1. Wear goggles and earmuffs. Do not wear gloves.

2. Remove all loose clothing.

3. Pay a lot of attention to your work when using the machine.

4. Do not use a spindle moulder without the false fence.Doing so will cause your work piece to dip
into cutter block
 5. All guards should be in place before using the machine

6. Keep all hands away from the cutters.

7. Use a push stick or mechanical feeding device to feed your work onto the machines.

8. Use a jig when cutting curved work

9. Never leave the machine running as you attend to other business.

How to safely make straight cuts on a spindle moulder

1. Fix a cutter with the preferred profile on the cutter block.

2. Raise or lower the spindle to set the height of the cut.

3. Lock the rise and fall mechanism.

4. Move the fence backwards or forwards across the table to set the depth of cut.

5. Lock the fence after setting the depth of cut.

6. Close the gap between the infeed and outfeed table by a false fence.

7. Fix the Shaw guard in place.

8. Switch on the machine.

9. Make a trial cut.

10. Feed the work. Remember to use a push stick or mechanical feeder, to push your work past the
cutters.

How to safely work on curved pieces on a spindle moulder

1. Fix a cutter with the preferred profile on the cutter block.

2. Raise or lower the spindle to set the height of the cut.

3. Lock the rise and fall mechanism.

4. Remove the straight fence and replace it with a ring fence. The ring fence can be placed below
or above the cutter block.

5. Fix the guard above the cutter block.

6. Fix your workpiece to a jig or template.

7. Switch on the machine.

 8. Feed in the work making sure that the workpiece is in contact with the ring fence all the time.

Pillar drill

 A pillar drill is a versatile machine that can be used for several purposes.

 It is sometimes called a drill press.

Parts of a pillar drill

Head

 The head is the casing that is located at the top of the pillar drill.

 It houses the electric motor cone pulley drive system

Electric motor

 The electric motor is used to rotate the cone pulley drive.

Cone pulley drive

 Cone pulley drives are connected to the electric motor and the Spindle.

 They transmit rotary motion from the electric motor to the spindle.

Spindle

 A spindle is a shaft that is connected to one end of the cone pulley drive.

 The spindle is connected to the chuck.

 As the spindle rotates it rotates the chuck.

Chuck

 The chuck houses three jaws.

 The jaws hold round shank drill bits.

 The jaws are locked in place by chuck keys.

Feed lever

 The feed lever is also called the feed handle.

 It is made up of three handles.

  These handles are turned down to lower the chuck spindle towards the table.

 The handles are turned up to raise the spindle from the table.

Depth stop

 The depth stop is hole that is to be used to limit the depth of the drilled on the workpiece

Table
 The table holds the workpiece during the drilling process.

 It can be lowered or raised along the column

Table locking lever

 This lever is used to lock the table in position

Uses

 The pillar drill is used when drilling workpiece vertically.

 It can also be used for mortising and sanding.

 Special attachments are used when sanding.

 You should attach a hollow mortice chisel when mortising.

Pillar drill safety

1. Wear goggles and remove loose clothing.

2. Make sure the drill is tightened in the chuck before switching on the machine.

3. Remove the chuck key from the chuck after tightening. If you leave it on the chuck, it will fly off
when the machine is switched on.

4. Do not force the drill.

5. Use the right type of drill for each type of material.

6. Cramp your workpiece before drilling

Safe operation of a pillar drill

1. Insert a drill of the correct size in the chuck. Tighten the chuck using chuck keys. Chuck keys
should be removed immediately after locking the chuck

2. Set the depth gauge to the required depth

 3. Raise or lower the table along the column. Remember to lock the table in position.

4. Cramp the workpiece on the table.

5. Lower the chuck towards the workpiece to check whether the drill is reaching the workpiece.

6. Raise the chuck and Switch on the machine.Lower the chuck and drill the workpiece.

The bench grinder

 An electric bench grinder is an important machine that is used for reconditioning hand tool
blades.

 It is sometimes called a bench grinder.

Parts of a bench grinding machine

Electric motor

The electric motor is used to drive the grinding wheels.

Grinding wheels

 The grinding wheels used on a bench grinder are called composition abrasive wheels.

 They are made from aluminium oxide, siicon carbide or emery

 These wheels are mounted on spindles that are rotated by the electric motor

Grinding wheel guards

 Grinding wheel guards are used to cover the greater part of the grinding wheel.

 They do not cover the front part of the wheel.

Tool rest

 The tool rest is used to support the tool being ground at a constant angle of about 25 0 when
grinding.

Eye shield

 The eye shield is made from temper proof glass

 It is used to protect you from chipped grinding stone particles.

Water container

The water container stores water that is used to cool the blade when grinding.
Uses

 The grinder is used to recondition tool blades

 It creates a bevel called the grinding bevel on tool blades.

The grinder is used to recondition tool blades

Grinder safety rules

1. Remove all loose clothing

1. 2 Wear safety glasses

2. Use a guard to protect yourself from flying off the grinding wheel

3. Do not adjust the tool rest while the wheel is rotating

4. You should remove the tool from the grinding wheel before switching it off

Operation of a grinder

1. Make sure the eye shields are in place

2. Set the tool rest to the desired angle

3. Ensure that it is as close as possible to the grinding

4. Switch on the machine

5. Support the tool on the tool rest and press it lightly on the grinding wheel.

6. Dip the tool in water at regular intervals to avoid overheating

Using a surface plane

Accessories needed

 A push stick and a push block are used on short pieces.

 It is possible to make your own push stick and push block in the workshop.

Safety

 Before planing the workpiece, first remember to revise the safety precautions on the use of the
surface planer.

 After revising the safety rules,start planing the workpiece.

The planing process

1. Check the length of your piece to ensure that it is not less than 25Omm long and less than 9mm
thick

2. Adjust the depth of the cutters. The cutters should be adjusted to remove shavings that are not
more than 1.5mm thick.

3. Cover the cutters with the guards

4. Switch on the machine

Face side

1. To plane the face side, press the workpiece flat on the infeed table using both hands and push it
towards the cutters.

2. When part of the piece has passed over the cutters, press a push block behind the back end and
push the workpiece over the cutters. Press down the part that has passed the cutters on the rear
table using the left hand. If the surface plane is too big to allow you to reach over the rear table,
do this with someone else

Face edge

1. To plane the face edge, adjust the fence to allow only a small opening over the
cutters.Remember to lock the fence.

2. Lay the workpiece on its edge with the planed face side pressed against the fence.

3. Push the workpiece slowly towards the cutters to plane the face edge.

Cutting workpieces using a circular saw

Accessories needed

 Push stick.

The ripping process

1. Use the required width size to set the distance of the fence from the saw blade. Lock the fence in
place.

2. Adjust the crown guard and nose guard.

3. Switch on the machine.

4. Press the workpiece against the fence and slowly push it towards the blade.
5. When the workpiece is about half way through the blade, use a push stick to push the piece past the
blade. If you are ripping a long piece, ask your friend to help you receive it at the back of the machine.

Cross cutting

Accessories needed

 Mitre gauge

The cross cutting process

1. Remove the fence so that it does not interfere with your work

2. Set depth of the blades

3. Adjust the crown guard and nose guard

4. Mark the length that is to be cut on you workpiece

5. Switch on the machine

6. Press the piece against the fence of the mitre gauge

7. Push the mitre gauge towards the blade the blade to cut the pieces