Woodworking is a fun if not a dangerous game.
It is great fun to potter with our latest woodworking project and watch it taking shape but the trouble with all woodworking projects is that they require you to use tools.
Depending where you are at with your woodworking you may only be using hand tools or progressed to a few power tools and shop tools as well.
With all tools we must be aware of the potential dangers and be on guard at all times.
Many an advanced woodworker has become complacent after years of successful woodworking and to be careless can cost you a finger or worse.
When using tools of any sort we must develop a mind set of care and concentration.
The slightest lapse in concentration can have disastrous results.
Just to use a hand saw carelessly can give you a nasty gash in your thumb as it jumps from the wood and runs a jagged cut through your flesh.
That can be particularly nasty so be on guard always.
All hand tools, to be effective have to be sharp so we must be aware of that to.
Any tool that is sharp enough to shape a piece of wood will make short work of your flesh.
A nasty gash can occur before you can react and advert the danger.
A chisel is always sharp and if you are careless can soon make a mess of your finger or if dropped can slice open your leg or foot.
When we start using power tools the danger is amplified because they are operating at a much faster speed than our hand tools and if we are not quick enough to prevent damage from a hand tool we have no hope with a power tool.
A power saw can take your finger or hand off before you can blink so always be on guard and use all the safety guards supplied with your tools.
Always use your safety glasses when using tools that create dust and wood chips because if you get some in your eye and are temporarily blinded your power tool is running on it's own and can cut into anything including you.
Shop tools will increase the danger level again.
Using bench saws and table saws are very tricky and extreme caution is needed.
Get some pro tips before you operate your new table saws etc.
as you could do sever damage to yourself.
Use all the safety guards and push rods to keep your fingers away from those whirling blades.
Even after you turn your machine off and even with some of the braking systems there is still enough cutting left to sever a limb or two.
Be aware of the kick back from a table saw.
An uncontrolled piece of lumber kicking back from a table saw can fly at much force.
It can smash straight through the wall and if you happen to be in the way, a piece of lumber at that speed can be fatal.
Be aware of how the grain is running in your lumber so you use a planner the right way or you will have the same problem.
Shop machinery is a job for pros so get some instruction and training before you do yourself some damage.
Better to get it right so you have many happy years of woodworking production than to have to learn to do it all with a couple of fingers missing.