The 5 Most Horrifying Things Woodworkers Aren"t Doing
Woodworkers are committing 5 horrifying acts, and they're doing it often.
Ignore these at your own peril! 1.
Ignoring Fire Safety Rules - Remember the good old days of elementary school science when they taught you the triangle to make fire? What did you need again? You needed fuel, oxygen, and a spark.
Woodshops are positively loaded with all three of these elements, and if they aren't taken care of, your shop could be the one that goes up in flames on the news.
Store all chemicals in a dry, cool place if possible.
Clean up all sawdust and wood scraps from the floor and work areas, as these can catch fire.
Make sure your work area is left clean of all oily or chemical soaked rags before leaving the area.
2.
Not Properly Ventilating Work Spaces - Aside from being an easily ignited substance, air full of sawdust and chemical compounds can be poisonous, cause allergic reactions, and even cancer! It's important to keep the air as clean as possible to maintain proper lung health.
Make sure you have open windows and vents in your shop.
Invest in an air purifier and run it after you finish working.
Your breath is worth keeping.
3.
Improper Machine Maintenance - Frayed wires on power tools, dull blades on saws and chisels, and other lackadaisical behavior can be fatal to woodworkers.
The simplest way to ensure you're in no danger after working in your shop is to take a moment and review your equipment.
Check for fraying, sharpness, and any other mechanical indicators that might need attention, especially clicks, pops, or other sounds.
Your ears could save you in the long run.
4.
Using Worn Out Safety Equipment - Getting comfortable in a shop can be hazardous to your health.
Just because you have the same safety goggles you used in high-school doesn't mean they're providing you with all of the protection you need.
If you can't see as well with your safety goggles on, or with only slightly less ability, you should replace them.
Being able to see what you're doing will make you a better craftsman, but more importantly, it will make you a safer one.
Replace earplugs and covers every year or two to ensure they aren't worn out.
5.
Working in dim and low-light conditions - You're working with sharp blades, strong chemicals, and heavy objects all the time in a shop.
It's vital to your health to make sure you can see properly.
Install light that provides you with enough viewing capability to do your job, but won't blind you.
Most of all, make sure the lights on your tools and work areas are all working and have fresh bulbs installed.
It's worth the few minutes it takes to change a light bulb if it saves your hands or fingers.
Ignore these at your own peril! 1.
Ignoring Fire Safety Rules - Remember the good old days of elementary school science when they taught you the triangle to make fire? What did you need again? You needed fuel, oxygen, and a spark.
Woodshops are positively loaded with all three of these elements, and if they aren't taken care of, your shop could be the one that goes up in flames on the news.
Store all chemicals in a dry, cool place if possible.
Clean up all sawdust and wood scraps from the floor and work areas, as these can catch fire.
Make sure your work area is left clean of all oily or chemical soaked rags before leaving the area.
2.
Not Properly Ventilating Work Spaces - Aside from being an easily ignited substance, air full of sawdust and chemical compounds can be poisonous, cause allergic reactions, and even cancer! It's important to keep the air as clean as possible to maintain proper lung health.
Make sure you have open windows and vents in your shop.
Invest in an air purifier and run it after you finish working.
Your breath is worth keeping.
3.
Improper Machine Maintenance - Frayed wires on power tools, dull blades on saws and chisels, and other lackadaisical behavior can be fatal to woodworkers.
The simplest way to ensure you're in no danger after working in your shop is to take a moment and review your equipment.
Check for fraying, sharpness, and any other mechanical indicators that might need attention, especially clicks, pops, or other sounds.
Your ears could save you in the long run.
4.
Using Worn Out Safety Equipment - Getting comfortable in a shop can be hazardous to your health.
Just because you have the same safety goggles you used in high-school doesn't mean they're providing you with all of the protection you need.
If you can't see as well with your safety goggles on, or with only slightly less ability, you should replace them.
Being able to see what you're doing will make you a better craftsman, but more importantly, it will make you a safer one.
Replace earplugs and covers every year or two to ensure they aren't worn out.
5.
Working in dim and low-light conditions - You're working with sharp blades, strong chemicals, and heavy objects all the time in a shop.
It's vital to your health to make sure you can see properly.
Install light that provides you with enough viewing capability to do your job, but won't blind you.
Most of all, make sure the lights on your tools and work areas are all working and have fresh bulbs installed.
It's worth the few minutes it takes to change a light bulb if it saves your hands or fingers.