Shop Safety
George Vondriska
Class Preview
1:35
- In-depth Instruction; over 112 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Session 1: General safety
10:11
Regardless of what you’re doing in your shop, there are general rules that apply to every task. Learn about personal protective equipment, tips for being safety conscious and general procedures to follow for making sure that your shop environment is a safe environment. Following these general guidelines will get you started on creating a safe work atmosphere.
Session 2: Table saw safety
21:40
At the heart of most woodworking shops, a table saw can do many functions. Of all the tools you have, you’ll probably spend the most time running this one. Make sure you’re using it safely by learning about:
- Splitters and riving knives
- Kickback
- Body position at the saw
- Using push sticks and push pads
-Safe use of the miter gauge and rip fence
Session 3: Jointer safety
8:25
A great tool for straightening edges and flattening faces, jointers are high on the must-have list for many woodworkers. Used properly, they’re wonderful tools. Learn about hand position, when to use a push pad or push stick, safely edge jointing, and safely face jointing.
Session 4: Planer safety
6:46
Like table saws, planers have a kickback zone you need to be aware of. Another important aspect of safely using a planer is understanding the minimum board length for your machine. Running too short a board through the machine can be very bad. Planers also have pinch points you need to know about, and maintenance that should be regularly performed.
Session 5: Miter saw safety
10:51
We’ll start with proper blade selection for miter saws, and move on to correctly handling the saw. It’s especially important on sliding miter saws to cut in the correct direction, which comes down to pushing or pulling the saw, one of which is much safer than the other. You’ll also learn about the benefit of lasers on miter saws, and how you might be able to add one to your machine if it doesn’t already have one.
Session 6: Lathe safety
13:48
You’ll receive both a spindle and bowl turning speed chart with the class; critical to ensuring you’re running your material at the correct rpm. Additionally, you’ll learn about positioning the tool rest, prepping material for safe turning, tips for safe sanding and finishing on the lathe, and the benefits of wearing a respirator while turning.
Session 7: Drill press safety
5:57
Controlling rpm on the drill press is very important, as is securing your work to the table to make certain it doesn’t “helicopter.” You’ll also learn tips about securing drill bits in the chuck, drilling metal, and peck drilling.
Session 8: Hand-held router safety
10:11
Spinning router bits at a high rpm is what allows router bits to cut so well. It’s also what can make them dangerous to use incorrectly. Learn about properly installing a router bit, correct and safe feed direction and how to manage cords. Use the provided router bit speed chart to make sure you’re running the router bit at the right speed.
Session 9: Bandsaw safety
12:12
General cutting techniques, resawing, cutting roundstock….each of these is covered to help make sure you’re using your bandsaw safely. We’ll also cover positioning of the upper guide, when to push your work versus pull your work past the blade, and using featherboards and push pads to stabilize your cuts.
Session 10: Router table safety
9:20
You’re likely to use large diameter bits on a router table, so be sure to reference the provided speed chart. We’ll discuss safe and proper feed direction, and proper positioning of the router table fence for edge cuts and dadoes. You’ll see how featherboards and push sticks can be used to help keep your hands well away from the cutter.
Meet Your Instructor
2:14
There’s nothing more important about working in your shop than safety. If you want to have a long future in woodworking, you’ve got to know how to use your tools safely and properly.
This class will provide you with the fundamental information you need to safely operate the mainstream tools common to most woodshops. In addition to general safety information that you need in the shop, you’ll learn specific safety rules for these tools:
- Table saw
- Jointer
- Planer
- Bandsaw
- Hand-held router
- Drill press
- Router table
- Miter saw
- Lathe
Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker, or just getting started, you’ll get many safety tips from this class. In fact, as a seasoned woodworker, you may find that you’ve developed bad habits. Part of being safety conscious is learning the right way to do things, and unlearning any bad habits that you’ve developed over time. This Shop Safety Class will help you with both of these tasks!
Passing along your knowledge
One of the greatest things about woodworkers is their tendency to share their woodworking with others; neighbors, relatives, kids, Scout groups….woodworkers are a giving group. It’s important that as you pass your woodworking along to others, you’re teaching them the best, and safest, possible means of working with tools. Be completely sure that the methods you’re teaching are safe.
Print outs for your shop
A detailed printable Class Guide is included, as it is with all our classes, to serve as a reminder of what you learn in class. In addition to that, you’ll also receive with this class:
- Bowl turning speed chart
- Spindle turning speed chart
- Router bit speed chart
- A rule poster for each tool that you can post in your shop
MORE THAN VIDEO
In addition to the hands-on video instruction you’ll receive, this class provides you with some downloadable and helpful resources to print and keep, including a detailed Class Guide as a recap of the key points of the class instruction – you’ll find this very helpful as you decide which finishes to use, and create your finish shopping list. Also, you’ll get a Class Resources document that will give you information on the products you’ll see in the Class.
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George Vondriska
George Vondriska is the Editor in Chief here at Woodworkers Guild of America and has been sharing his woodworking expertise since 1986. Apart from conducting classes at his renowned Vondriska Woodworks School, George's passion for teaching has taken him to woodworking shows nationwide and has led him to teach woodworking for prestigious organizations such as Peace Corps/Swaziland, Andersen Window, Northwest Airlines, and the Pentagon. With a wealth of published magazine articles under his belt, encompassing tool reviews and shop improvement projects, George's knowledge and skills continue to inspire woodworkers every day. To discover more about him and his school, visit georgevondriska.com.
Bonus materials available after purchase
