Wood Shop
Shop Captains
Chris Munn
Nate Lelek
Shop Policies
1. Safety First.
2. See Rule #1.
3. Leave the shop in better shape than you found it.
4. Use equipment for its intended purpose only.
5. If you don't know how to use a tool, ask someone.
Tool-Specific Policies
Large Table Saw
- Safety guidelines:
- LOCK OUT TAG OUT: Always unplug the saw before touching the blade.
- Always use a push stick (and featherboard if possible).
- Never freehand cut.
- When rip cutting, use the rip fence.
- When crosscutting,always use a crosscut fence (miter gauge) or crosscut sled.
- Never leave the saw running when you're not standing at it.
- Always check the blade for square before you use it.
- Clean out the table surface and the inside of the saw with the dust collector hose after using.
- Retract blade below table surface after using.
- If you tilted the blade, return it to 90° after using.
Small Table Saw
- This saw is set up with a dado blade. Do not use the dado blade for anything but cutting dados/rabbets/grooves.
- Hook up the dust collector while using.
- Unplug after using.
Band Saw
- Unplug after using and before adjusting the blade.
- Always hook up the dust collector.
- Tension the blade before using. De-tension the blade after using.
- Blade tension lever is on the back of the saw. DOWN position = tensioned. UP position = de-tensioned.
- Wait for the blade to stop moving before de-tensioning.
- Position the blade guard just above the thickness of wood you are cutting.
- Lock the blade guard down with the knob on the back.
- Do not use the 3/8" blade for resawing.
- If you want to resaw something, contact a shop captain (Nate Lelek or Chris Munn) and we will install the 3/4" resaw blade.
- Conversely: the resaw blade is ONLY for resawing. Bandsaw blades are expensive!
- After using, lower the blade guard fully.
Mitre Saw
- Always double-check your angle with a square. The saw detents are not to be trusted.
- Lock down the slide if not needed.
- For cuts that require sliding: slide out, cut downwards, then slide in.
- Unplug after using.
Router Table
- Unplug after using.
- Only use router bits with the router table (No drill bits).
- Use push pads and featherboards.
Drill Press
- Do not use router bits with the drill press! Drill bits only. To drill a flat hole, use a forstner bit.
Dust Collector
- No indiscriminate floor sweeping! Use for wood dust only. Metal/plastic/large chunks will damage it.
- Don't leave it running while you're not collecting dust! Electric motors overheat.
- Empty the dust bag if it is over 75% full. If you don't know how, ask a shop captain.