CRAFT CENTER WOODWORKING AREA
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:
The safety test and walk-thru are not intended for instructional purposes. You are expected to
have a working knowledge of and experience with the tools and safety procedures prior to
using the Craft Center Woodshop if you do not take a class. We have provided the safety test
and walk-thru as brief reminders of the safety rules and techniques required to operate effectively
in the woodshop. These rules and techniques are not inclusive as that would be overwhelming.
Common sense and judgment must also play a role in all activities, operations, and decisions. If
you have any doubts or questions concerning the operation of any tools or the nature of any
safety precautions, please see a wood technician before proceeding. If you do not have adequate
knowledge to use this facility safely, we advise and encourage you to enroll in a Craft Center
Woodworking Class. Any misuse or abuse of equipment or violation of safety standards,
intentional or not, will result in the loss of Craft Center privileges. You will be held responsible
for any damage caused by such misuse, abuse, or neglect to parts, tools, and machines.
SAFETY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
The student must demonstrate correct and safe use of the equipment to be used before receiving a
valid Craft Center Woodworking permit for that area. This entails:
 Firstly, passing a written and practical safety test.
 Secondly, going through the walk-through for that corresponding area.
Permit cards are valid for three years from the date of their issue.
Class I Tools include:
Class II Tools include:
Band Saw
10” Table Saw
Scroll Saw
6” Jointer
Drill Press
12” Portable Planer
Belt & Disk Sander
¼” Shank Routers
Belt Sanders
Router Table
Palm Sanders
12” Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Saber Saw
Horizontal Drum Sander
Biscuit Machine
Cordless Drills
Hand Saws
Chisels
Files
Hand Planes
Plus other misc. small hand tools
Class III Tools include:
Powermatic Lathe 3520
Vicmarc VL100 minilathe
The Class I Woodworking Test must be passed with a score of 93% or better.
The Class II Woodworking Test must be passed with a score of 100%.
The Class III Woodworking Test must be passed with a score of 100%.
Class I Woodworking Tools Safety Manual
Drill Press, Band Saw, Scroll Saw, Belt/Disk Sander, Spindle Sander, Bench Grinder, Jig
Saw, Orbitals, Belt Sander, Portable Drills, Handsaws, Biscuit machine, Hand Planers,
Chisels, Files and Rasps.
Apparel
1.
Always use safety glasses. Wear safety glasses or goggles while operating any power
tools. All persons in the area where power tools are being operated need also to wear
safety glasses.
2.
Wear proper apparel. Remove any ties, rings, watches, and other jewelry. When
operating machinery, do not wear loose clothing, gloves, or jewelry. Loose clothing such
as drawstrings, ties, or jewelry can be caught in moving parts. Long hair should be tied
back or secured in a protective hair covering. Closed-toed shoes are required at all times
in the Craft Center.
3.
Do not wear gloves of any kind while working in the woodshop. Gloves increase the
ability of machines of grabbing your hands while working.
Cleanliness
4.
Keep work area clean. Cluttered work areas and benches invite injuries. Debris must
be prevented from accumulating in the path of travel and around the base of machinery.
Keep all aisles clear. Keep floors, benches, and machines clean.
a. Use a brush, not your hands. Always sweep scraps away from your work area with
a brush rather than your hand. Sharp or jagged particles may injure your hand.
b. Wipe up spilled liquids immediately. If any liquid is spilled on the floor, it must be
wiped up immediately before using any equipment.
c. All dirty rags, whether reusable or disposable, must be returned to a closed metal
container (i.e., steel rag bin). Especially oily and dusty rags are prone to spontaneous
combustion.
d. All re-usable scrap wood may be placed in the green scrap bin. Do not place small or
unusable scrap or wood with nails or other fasteners still intact on the scrap bin.
Place them on the dumpster outside or in a trash can.
e. Keep all finished and unfinished projects off of the machinery while in machinery is
in use.
Material and Project Handling
7.
Secure your work. Always use a vice, clamp or feather board to hold or secure your
work.
9.
Pieces of wood with protruding nails are prohibited in the Craft Center.
10.
Use only good stock. All stock must be free of loose knots, dirt, wet glue, excess dry
glue, nails, and paint before using with any machine. Paint can also hide nails in the
wood.
11.
Always carry long objects, such as molding or long dowels, in a vertical position.
12.
Store properly all material and projects. All lumber and project must be stored
properly so as not to fall or be left on the floor for others to trip over. All lumber and
wood must be kept in the wood storage bin or other designated storage area. Label your
wood and/or project with your name, telephone number, and the date. Wood not
removed after the end of the quarter becomes property of the Craft Center.
General procedures
14.
Do not startle or distract others.
13.
Use only sharp tools. A dull tool is significantly more dangerous than a sharp one.
14.
Always carry sharp pointed tools away from you or others and never in pockets.
15.
Secure all work. Always use a vice, clamp or featherboard to hold or secure your work.
16.
Only use three (3) prong, three (3) wire grounded extension cords.
17.
Keep all electrical cords out of the way of moving parts. They can get stuck in a tool and
cause electrocution.
18.
Avoid accidental starting. Make sure switches are in the “OFF” position and that
locking triggers are disengaged before plugging in a power cord.
19.
Do not make any adjustments or clean up while a tool is running.
20.
If at any time a tool is or may disturb a Craft Center patron (i.e., dust or noise), you may
be asked to delay or stop your work and continue at a later time.
21.
Only the person issued a Craft Center Woodworking Permit is allowed to use the tools
for that classification of tools. Friends can help, but you must be the operator of any
equipment.
22.
Safety procedures require the elimination of clowning, playing, scuffling, and
participation in other non-productive activities.
23.
Never touch any moving part of a power tool or piece of machinery.
24.
Use the correct tool only. Do not use a machine not design for your desired operation.
25.
Do not force a tool or stock. The machine will work better and be safer being used at
the rate for which it was designed.
26.
Keep all safety guards in position. Safety guards must be kept in the proper position
while the machine is in operation.
27.
Check with the clerk if you have any questions. “When in doubt, don’t do it!”
28.
Do not work outside of your abilities.
Broken or damaged tools
29.
Check over each tool before you use it. Check for damaged cords, chipped or cracked
blades, binding moving parts, and anything else that would be a safety hazard or cause
further damage to the tool.
30.
Any student finding a tool that is broken or damaged must not use the tool. Report
the damage immediately to the clerk so that it may be replaced or repaired and Craft
Center safety maintained. If a machine makes unusual sounds or vibrations, immediately
discontinue its use and report it to the desk attendant.
Injuries and Emergencies
31.
All injuries, even if slight, must be reported to the Craft Center desk attendant. Our
centrally located, fully stocked First Aid kit and eye wash station are available for use
at any time.
32.
In case of emergency concerning a machine plugged in overhead, pull the red handle to
safely cut power to that machine.
16 ½-inch Floor Drill Press
The drill press can be a simple machine but needs to be respected nonetheless. This model has a
stop-set and has adjustable speed.
Before operating the drill press:
1.
Before placing the cutting tool in the drill press chuck, check the speed by checking the
position of the drive belts on the two overhead pulleys. The speed is crucial for your
safety and the longevity of the machine.
Note: These belts should never crossover; they should always resemble one of the options
on the provided diagram in the pulley compartment lid.
a.
A speed guide is available via a hanging sheet from the back if the drill press.
b.
Speed rule of thumb: low speeds for large diameter bits (i.e., 1-1/2 inch diameter)
medium speeds for medium bits (i.e., 5/8 inch diameter)
high speed for small bits (i.e., 1/4 inch diameter)
2.
Use only sharp cutting tools. Do not attempt to sharpen any cutting tool. Notify the
desk attendant if tools need sharpening or replacing.
3.
Tightly secure the cutting tool in the chuck. Do this only with the Chuck Key
provided via a hanging cable.
Note: Do not forget to remove the check key from the drill press chuck.
4.
Do not drill into metal table. Before turning on the machine, verify that the cutting tool
will not strike metal table in the event that it exits your stock. Use a scrap piece of wood
to back up the stock to be drilled.
5.
Before drilling any hole, center punch it with a scratch awl (for wood) or center punch
(metal).
6.
All work should be clamped down.
Angled boring:
When boring holes at an angle, clamp the stock securely to the drill press table and use
only twist drill bits (no spade bits).
7.
Always place long pieces to the left-hand side. This leaves your right hand free to
operate the feed handles and allows the drill press column to prevent long pieces from spinning
around in the event that the cutting tool binds up.
Operational notes:
1.
Allow the machine to come to full speed before drilling.
2.
Withdraw the cutting tool frequently when drilling deep holes to reduce the resistance
and friction caused by cuttings produced.
3.
If the cutting tool grabs the work at any time, without endangering yourself, continue to
apply downward pressure to the feed wheel, keeping your stock close to the table. Do
not attempt to grasp a rapidly spinning piece of stock. Turn of the drill press
immediately.
4.
Always ease up on the applied pressure when your cutting tool begins to break through
your stock.
5.
Back the cutting tool out under power as soon as the hole has been drilled.
5.
Always wait until the machine comes to a complete stop before brushing away chips or
removing work.
7.
NEVER use the drill press freehand. You must always have your work supported by
the drill press table.
14” Band Saw
The band saw currently shares a 220 volt power supply with the Powermatic Lathe. Be
courteous and flexible with those using or needing to use that lathe.
1.
The band saw blades are capable of cutting the following materials:
 Solid wood
 Plywood
 Particleboard
 Masonite
It is not suited for cutting metal or glass, or any other material harder than the blade or
that would be burned by the high speed of the blade.
Before operating the band saw:
1.
Keep table clear of all material not being cut.
2.
Set the blade guide height no greater than ¼” taller than the maximum stock height.
The guide should not be touching or ever rub against your stock as it is cut.
3.
Always verify that the entire blade is covered with the guard. This saw was given a
6” height extension, so there is also a retrofitted guard to adjust.
4.
All stock must sit flat on the band saw table while being cut.
5.
Use sufficiently large stock. Do not use stock that is too small to be able to be held
safely with both hands throughout the cut.
6.
Pre-plan all procedures. Think ahead about your cutting operations regarding the
orientation of your stock, length of cuts, and severity of curves.
7.
Anticipate the need for a push stick.
8.
Keep all guards in place during operation. Never open the upper or lower doors
covering the blade pulleys while the machine is in operation.
9.
Do not touch the black knob or other adjustments on the backside at the top of the
machine. These adjust the blade tension and tracking.
10.
Do not stand to the right of the band saw while it is turned on. This is the most
vulnerable position to be standing in the event that the blade breaks.
While operating the band saw:
11.
NEVER cut freehand. Never make a cut on the band saw for which the stock is not
fully supported and resting on the table.
11.
Never place your fingers directly in-line with the blade.
12.
Always know where all 10 of your fingers are at all times, while operating the band
saw.
13.
Always use relief cuts if necessary. For small or intricate curves, relief cuts should be
used to avoid the blade twisting or binding, possibly breaking the blade.
14.
Never back out of a cut longer than 4”.
a.
First turn off and allow the machine to come to a complete stop.
b.
Then back the board out being careful not to pull the blade out of its guides.
15.
Use a push stick to clear away material from the blade when the saw is in operation.
16.
If the blade breaks, step away and turn off the power. DO NOT open the blade pulley
doors. Notify the desk attendant at once.
17.
Use a tail-off person to support your stock if your stock is cannot be solely supported by
the table.
18.
Always use a push stick when ripping using the rip fence. If your piece is narrower
than 6”, you need to use a push stick to finish your cut.
19.
ALWAYS wear safety glasses.
12” Disk and Belt Sander
Before operating the sander:
1.
Use good material. All stock must lie flat on the table during sanding and be free wet
glue, excess dried glue, paint (which can hide bad nails, etc.), and dirt.
2.
Sand only:
 Solid wood
 Plywood
 Particleboard
 Masonite
3.
Do not sand materials such as:
 Rubber
 Clay
 Plastic
 Metal
 Your hands
4.
Do not sand dowels or other round objects in an orientation in which they could spin.
3.
Do not sand very small or irregularly shaped pieces. Your stock should not be so
small that you are unable to hold down upon it with all of your fingers. Small pieces
additionally force your fingers to be too close to sanding surface.
3.
Always use the dust collector. Turn the dust collector on before powering on the
sander.
5.
One person only sanding at one time. Multiple people sanding at once can overload the
motor.
6.
For beveled sanding, always tilt the sanding table downward. If sanding with the
table set at an angle other than 90 degrees, tilting the table downward prevents your work
from jamming between the table and sanding surface—bad for the machine and you.
While operating the sander:
7.
NEVER sand freehand.
9.
Stand out of line with the belt and plane of disk when machine is coming to speed. If
the disk is not properly fixed to its mount, it can fly off. Old sanding debris can also fly
out of the machine during start up.
8.
Use only the downward side of the sanding disk.
 Prevents dusk from flying up into your face and into the air

Allows you to maintain better control of your work.
9.
Work back and forth along the sanding table being used.
 Prevents clogging of abrasive
 Reduces wear of abrasive
10.
Always use both hands to hold down and control your work.
11.
Sand only with light pressure.
 More pressure puts an excessive load on the motor
 The sand paper and speed of the sander should do plenty of work
 The sander is intended to remove machine marks left by blades and other operations.
It is not meant to replace those operations. It is a micro-finishing tool only.
Jig or Saber Saw
The two shop jig saws are variable speed with an adjustable orbiting blade motion. They both
also have an adjustable speed limit screw on the trigger. The angle of the footplate is also
adjustable.
Before operating the saber saw:
1.
Do not cut very small pieces. If the footplate of the saw is not substantially supported
throughout the duration of the cut, your stock is too small.
1.
Use a good blade. Do not use a blade that is bent, dull, heat damaged, has bent teeth, or
is broken or cracked.
2.
Securely tighten the blade in place.
3.
Be sure that the blade is lying in the grooved roller guide. Do this only with the
blade loosened from its clamp.
4.
Avoid accidental starting. Make sure switches are in the “OFF” position and that
locking triggers are disengaged before plugging in a power cord.
5.
Always clamp down your stock.
6.
Do not cut into the table or other objects underneath your stock while cutting. Do all
cutting operations sufficiently far away from the table.
While operating the jig saw:
8.
NEVER saw freehand. That is, the footplate must always be used to rest on a flat
surface.
9.
Do not lower the running blade through your stock. Pre-drill a hole or cut from the
edge.
10.
Always wait for the blade to stop before pulling it out of your stock.
11.
Only cut at a speed and radius capable of the tool and blade.
12.
Do not bend or twist the blade while cutting.
13.
Always be attentive to the sound of the saw motor. Adjust your speed accordingly
with the variable speed trigger.
Hand Drill
Before operating the hand drill:
1.
Choose a sharp bit.
a.
Do not use a broken bit
b.
Do not use a bit of softer metal than the material your drilling.
2.
Tighten the chuck. Thoroughly tighten the chuck.
a.
Be sure bit is centered in the 3 chuck teeth.
3.
Set rotation direction switch for your task.
4.
Always back up your material. Use a piece of scrap wood to back up stock being
drilled.
Note: Do not drill into the table!
5.
Disconnect power when changing bits.
6.
Always clamp down your work to a table or in a vice.
7.
Center punch your work before drilling.
a.
Use a scratch awl for wood
b.
Use a center punch for metal
While operating the hand drill:
1.
Withdraw bit intermittently to remove drill spoils for deep holes. This increases drill
and bit life and makes a better cut.
2.
Back the drill out of a hole under power.
3.
BEWARE of hot bits after use.
 STOP using a bit if it is burning the wood.
 Do NOT quench a bit in water to cool it off.
Bench Grinder
1.
Roll up sleeves, tie back hair, remove loose clothing.
2.
Remove all rings, watches, necklaces, etc. Items such as these that are attached to the
body can even more easily pull one into the spinning wheel.
3.
Inspect the grinding wheels before use. NEVER use a chipped or cracked wheel.
4.
Do not change a wheel without permission from a wood tech.
3.
Keep tool rests a maximum of 1/8 inch away from wheel.
 Adjust the tool rest position as the wheel wears from use.
 Securely tighten tool rests so that they cannot shift while in use
4.
Keep the spark guards close to the wheels. Sparks from grinding or buffing should not
reach your hands.
4.
Use the appropriate grinding wheel. Use the:
a.
Gray wheel for grinding ferrous metals only (i.e., steel).
 Do not grind Aluminum.
 Non-ferrous metals will prematurely load the wheel and heat the wheel up,
possibly causing it to explode.
b.
Green wheel for grinding non-ferrous metals only (i.e., brass, copper, etc.)
 Do NOT grind ceramics.
 Do NOT grind steel. This will cause excessive wheel wear.
While operating the bench grinder:
1.
NEVER start the grinder with the work piece touching the grinding wheel.
2.
STAND to one side when turning on the grinder. If a wheel is going to fly apart, it is
likely to be during its initial acceleration.
3.
NEVER grind on a cold wheel. Allow the grinder to run at idle speed before proceding.
3.
Be aware of heat.
 The grinder can heat your work up enough to severely burn yourself.
 Heat generated can ruin the integrity of steel and especially the edge of a cutting tool.
Note: Do NOT use the grinder to sharpen Craft Center tools. If a tool is dull, do not
use it, and notify a desk attendant.
3.
Do NOT use the grinder if a wheel vibrates. Turn off the grinder and notify the desk
attendant.
1.
Dress the grinding wheels as they become loaded.
 DRESS the grinding face of the wheel only. Grinding the side of the wheel can
make it too thin for safe use.
 Do NOT use the side of a wheel to grind.
5.
ALWAYS wear safety glasses.
Scroll Saw
Before operating the scroll saw:
1.
Maximum Stock Thickness:
Hardwoods: 3/8” inch
Softwoods: 1/2 inch
2.
Make ALL adjustments with machine turned OFF. When adjusting the hold-down or
making other adjustments, turn the machine off.
3.
Blade adjustments:
a.
To remove or loosen the blade from its clamp, UNPLUG the saw first.
b.
Flip the black tension lever towards you to remove the tension from the blade.
c.
The blade wrench is kept on the right side of the scroll saw.
d.
Re-apply the tension to the blade before turning the machine on.
Note: Blades will break often on the scroll saw especially when cutting hardwoods. This
is due to the small size of the blades and fast working speed.
4.
ALWAYS use the provided Blade Wrench tool when adjusting the blade.
a.
Insert the round, pointed shaft into the blade holder.
b.
Turn the blade holder screw with the Allen wrench to tighten or loosen the blade
in the clamp.
Note: Blade teeth should ALWAYS point down towards table.
8.
ALWAYS use the table insert. Use the insert even when tilting the table. You may tilt
the table by loosening the handle below the table. It is not be necessary to remove the
table insert to tilt the table and make a cut.
Note: The insert can be rotated 90 degrees, allowing its slot to facilitate blade
positioning.
9.
Adjust the stock Holddown to contact top surface of wood. The reciprocating action
of the blade requires downward pressure to the stock. This shouldn’t be so tight that the wood
can’t be slid under its runners without assistance.
10.
Speed selection:
High Speed: Harder woods; longer, straighter cuts
Slow Speed: Softwoods; more intricate maneuvers
11.
Keep fingers out-of-line with the blade. Never get your fingers within the red circle
that surrounds the blade on the table.
12.
If the blade catches on your stock, turn off the machine immediately, unplug the machine,
and work the stock loose.
13.
Keep a firm grip and a firm downward pressure on your stock at all times!!! The
action of the machine tends to lift the stock as it is cutting.
14.
This is a great tool for creativity so have fun with it!
15.
ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES!!!