Woodshop Orientation

Club Overview

Woodshop Procedures

     Provide a copy of written shop procedures to all new members.

Signed liability waiver

     Obtain signed liability waivers from all new members and file appropriately.

Dues

First year $120 membership dues plus $40 initiation fee; $120 per year thereafter.

When accepting dues and reserve payment, provide to new member a receipt and file payment in Treasurer’s pouch.  Ensure the receipt has the member’s full name printed legibly to facilitate ordering a name badge.  Also note the member’s email address.

Normal Hours of Operations

     Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

It is possible to arrange shop time outside these normal hours but you MUST have a Monitor present.

Monitors

A Monitor must be on duty when anyone is in the shop.

Monitor’s primary responsibility is to oversee the safe use of all equipment and general safety of the shop.

The duty monitor MAY NOT work on individual projects during the busy season, November through April,   The remainder of the year, the duty monitor may work on their own projects while monitoring, if only monitors are present and the shop is not busy.

Wood purchases are facilitated by the Monitors.

Monitors will be glad to assist you and answer your questions.

     Specialized training is required to become a Monitor.

Name Badge & Log in

Upon entry to the woodshop you must log in with your name, contact phone number, time, and code for your shop visit.  Retrieve and wear your name badge while you’re in the shop.  When you leave, note the time you leave and return your name badge to the board.

You are encouraged to join this site as the club operations are conducted through this website. i.e. Club calendar, Training Classes, Monitor Schedule and general member notifications.

Classes and Instruction

Several project classes are held during the winter months i.e. Basic Breadboards, Pen Turning, Basic Bowl turning etc.

There is a nominal fee for materials.  Notification of classes comes through the groupworks website.

SHOP and EQUIPMENT

General overview of the shop layout.

     a)     Location and use of First Aid Kits: Large one requires accident/incident report, use of the Small one does   not require a report.

     b)     All tools, drill bits, wrenches, screw drivers etc. should be returned to where they were after your use.

     c)     Any excess screws, nails, etc. left over need to be returned to their proper bin.  

     d)     Members are responsible for cleaning up each work area after its use.

Safety glasses

     e)     Safety glasses are available in the shop.  Normal eye glasses will suffice for eye protection.

Ear Plugs, Face Masks and Ear Muff Protectors

     f)     These are all provided.

Hand tools

     g)     Special wall cabinet for hand tools.

     h)     Any tools you use must be returned to their proper location when your finished.

Panel Cutting Saw

     i)     Have the Monitor or someone else help you with it.  Hook up vacuum to control saw dust.

Jig saw

     j)     Should be used for any tight turn cuts.

CNC machine

     k)     Need specialized training to operate.  Marv Enerson is the resident expert.

     l)     Ostensibly any digital image can be set up to be engraved into wood, including text.

Power Hand Tools, Drills, Skill saw, Dremel, etc.

Drill bits

Forstner bits

Allen wrenches

Air Filtration fans

     m)     Run whenever a lot of dust exists in the shop.

     n)     Remote control for the fans hangs on the badge board.

     o)     Set up for long runs after Friday afternoon blow out.

     ➢     Glue Clamps

     p)     Big selection.

     q)     Keep them clean from excess glue.

     r)     Return them to the same place you found them.

Saw Stop Table saw

     s)     Show stopped blade and break, this is a significant safety feature.  If it does trip under your use, you will be expected to pay the approx. $165 to replace the brake and blade.

     t)     Demonstrate how to test for wet wood.

     u)     Known causes for a trip, wet wood, tinfoil backed tape, recycled wood with lacquer finish, treated lumber, staples, and of course your fingers.

     v)     When using used wood, be cautions of hidden screws and bolts etc.

     w)     If you have any doubts, use the Porter Cable Table saw.

     x)     3-inch safety rule applies, do not let your fingers get any closer than 3 inches to the blade.  We have several types of push tools.

     y)     Do not cross cut boards using the fence; suggest using the sled for cross cuts.

Porter Cable Table saw

     z)     Use for treated lumber or anything not fit for the Saw Stop Table saw.

     a)     3-inch safety rule applies.

Band Saw

     b)     Set the guard just high enough to get your work through.

     c)     See that the tension is set and that the saw is tracking properly.

     d)     Also check that the ceramic guides are in proper position, none or minimal sparking and no scraping sounds. Monitors will assist with any needed adjustments.

     e)     3-inch safety rule applies.

     f)     Have a good stance for your feet and place the heels of your hands on the table.

     g)     Do not force the cut, let the saw do its work.

     h)     No sharp curves; if needed, use relief cuts.  (show/demo S cuts)

     i)     Use the brake only for emergencies.

     j)     Demonstrate how the blade continues to run for a long time after it is shut off; leave the saw only after the blade has stopped.

Router

     k)     Show location of wrenches and bits.

     l)     Router needs to be unplugged prior to any work on the bit.

     m)     The fence is primarily to facilitate dust collection.

     n)     3-inch safety rule applies.

     o)     Bits turn counter-clockwise; as you stand in front of the router your work should pass from your right to your left along the edge of the bit closest to you.

Disk Sander

     p)     Sand on the right side of the disk.

     q)     Gum block for cleaning the disk.

Thickness Sander (Drum Sander)

     r)     NO GLUE residue can be removed with this sander; it ruins the sand paper on the drum and this sand paper is expensive.

     s)     If you have glue residue, use the planer, hand scraper or hand sander to remove it before you use this sander.

     t)     Note there are TWO on/off switches, one for the drum and one for the bed.

     u)     Generally, no more than a quarter turn adjustment between passes.

     v)      If the red light comes on, you are working it too hard, burning will show up on your wood.

Spindle Sander

     w)     Primarily used to sand various curved surfaces.

     x)     Note the wrench location for changing the different sized spindles.  Do not over- tighten.

     y)     Differing center plates for different sized spindles.

Sanding Station

     z)     Saw dust is collected in a drawer at the base of the cabinet; it is separate from the Dust Collection System.

Dust Collection System

     b)     Wait for the gate to open before initiating any woodworking. (red light)

     c)     Applies to all machines hooked to the Dust Collection System.

Grinder

     d)     Primarily used to sharpen various lathe tools.

     e)     Seek assistance if you are not experienced with the grinder.

Emergency Phone

     f)     In case of an emergency, pick up the phone, it dials directly into 911 automatically.

     g)     If you pick it up by mistake, stay on the line and explain the situation to the 911 operator.  If you don’t, be prepared to explain to the EMT’s because they’re on their way.

     h)     Our address is noted right by the phone.

Emergency Power Shut Off

     i)     Inside the electrical panel there is an emergency power shut off for the entire shop.

Lathes

     j)     Four lathes, three large and one small one for pens and other smaller items.

     k)     The chucks are color coded to the Lathes.

     l)     Face masks must be worn when turning; the exception is when you are sanding on the Lathe.

     m)     If you have no experience in turning, you are urged to take the beginning bowl or pen turning classes.

     n)      Another route for novice woodworkers is to seek help and advice from a member who is experienced.

Jointer

     o)     Do not adjust the depth of the cut, just make more passes.

     p)     Wood grain considerations; go with the grain of the wood for best result and apply downward pressure on the outfeed side. (left side)

Planer

     q)     Nothing under 12 inches in length.

     r)     If you have a short piece, use double back tape and tape it to the sled.

Drill Press

     s)     Note speed recommendations.

     t)     Vices available for holding material.

     u)     Demonstrate proper bit chucking.

     v)     Light and Laser sight.

Chop Saw

     w)     The chop saw has its own dust collector.

     x)     It can be operated with either hand.  The saw tends to jerk when first started.

     y)     3-inch safety rule applies.

     z)     There are extensions on the left and right sides of the saw.