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:
- Always unplug the saw before touching the blade.
- Always use a push stick for rip cuts narrower than 6".
- Use a featherboard when ripping narrow stock.
- 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
- Pay attention to the spin direction of the bit (counterclockwise) and only feed stock in the opposite direction (Right to left when facing the table). Feeding stock along the spin direction will result in chatter, unpredictable cutting, and is dangerous!
- Only use router bits with the router table (No drill bits).
- Use push pads and featherboards when possible.
- Return bits to the bit holder after using.
Drill Press
- Do not use router bits with the drill press! Drill bits only. To drill a flat hole, use a forstner bit.
- Be careful to not drill into the iron table. Place a scrap block below the workpiece to reduce tear-out.
- Return bits to the bit holder on the wall when finished.
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.