Building & Furniture Technology
Lesson Notes
School: Bridgeport High School
Topic: Stationary Machines
Sub-topic: Safety in the use of Stationary Machines
Stationary Machine Definition
Stationary Machines are AC powered tools that are mounted on a stand and not typically moved
around from location to location. Examples of Stationary Machines are table saw, jointer, band
saw, drill press, miter saw, radial arm saw, thickness planer, lathe, grinder, etc.
Table Saw
A stationary saw used primarily for ripping lumber and sheet materials.
Table Saw Safety Operations
● Remove all rings, watches, and jewelry.
● Make all adjustments with the power off.
● Wear safety gears.
● Use a push stick on narrow stock.
● While ripping, stand to the side, never behind the saw.
● Shut off the power when finished with an operation.
● When ripping, the stock that you want is always between the blade and the fence.
● The blade should be adjusted so the teeth clear the thickness of material by a ¼”.
● Remove the rip fence when crosscutting.
Jointer
A jointer is a plane used for preparing a wooden edge for fixing or joining to another.
Jointer
● Wear safety glasses.
● Make certain all guards are in place.
● Make all adjustments with the power off.
● Use a push block when jointing stock that is shorter than 5” in height
● Shut the power off when done with an operation.
● A helper should be used when ripping long stock.
● The cutter head guard can stick, watch out for this!!!
● Stock shorter than 12” in length may not be processed on the jointer.
● The depth of cut on our jointer is set at 1/32”.
● Fingers should not come closer than 5” to the cutter head.
● Always stand to the left of the jointer, never behind it.
Drill Press
A drill is a tool primarily used for boring round holes or driving fasteners.
Drill Press Safety Operations
● Remove Jewelry and eliminate loose clothing.
● Wear safety gears.
● Be sure the key is removed before turning on the machine.
● Turn off the power if work gets caught in the drill.
● Adjust the depth stop to avoid drilling into the table.
● Select the appropriate speed, faster for wood and slower for metal. The larger the bit, the
slower the speed.
● Work should always be secured with a fastening device.
● The right hand operates the feed wheel and the left hand should always be in the secure
position.
Band Saw
A band saw is a machine used for making curved cuts in wood or metal.
Band Saw Safety Operations
● All adjustments should be made with the power off.
● Wear safety glasses.
● The upper guide should be adjusted 1/8” – ¼” above the material being cut.
● Relief cuts should be made while making tight turns around a radius.
● The doors for the upper and lower wheels should be closed while in operation.
● Keep fingers 2” away from the working saw blade.
● Clear scraps away using a stick, not your fingers.
● Always hold stock flat on the table.
● Get the instructor if a problem arises.
Miter Saw
A miter saw is used to make cuts at a variety of angles. The saw has a blade mounted on a swing
arm that pivots left or right to produce angled cuts.
Miter Saw Safety Operations
● For safe operation, all guards should be in place.
● Never reach to the back of the saw while in operation.
● Make all adjustments with the power off.
● Never saw without the kerf plate present.
● Hold the handle tightly during the sawing operation.
● The safety margin is 6”
● The piece of stock that you want, is always on the left side.
● Make sure the blade is not in contact with the stock before turning the saw on.
● Stock should be held tightly against the fence and never away from the fence.
Radial Arm Saw
A radial arm saw is a cutting machine consisting of a circular saw mounted on a sliding
horizontal arm used for cutting long pieces of stock to length.
Radial Arm Saw Safety Operations
● Always wear safety gears.
● Make sure there are no scrap pieces or chips lodged between the blade guards and the
blade.
● Make any adjustments to the height or angle of the blade that may necessary BEFORE
turning the Radial Arm Saw on.
● Do NOT raise or lower the blade while the saw is on. Pull the saw out to ensure that the
blade clears the table, then push it all the way back.
● Hold the stock with your right hand and pull the saw with your left hand. Ensure that
stock is pressed firmly against the fence.
● Cut only one piece of stock at a time.
● Always turn the Radial Arm Saw off and wait until it stops moving before making any
adjustments.
● When finished working with the Radial Arm Saw, push the saw all the way back to the
rear of the table and then turn the machine off.
Thickness Planer
A thickness planer is a machine to trim boards to a consistent thickness throughout their length
and flat on both surfaces.
Thickness Planer Safety Operations
● Check the stock to see that it is clear of any nails, knots and imperfections.
● The board to be planed must be at least 14” long.
● Never plane more than one thickness at a time.
● Never stand behind the planer: always stand off towards the side.
● Keep your hands away from the planer bed while in operation.
● Never look into the throat of the planer while in operation.
● Never reach over the planer, always have help.
● Make sure the power is off before cleaning the planer.
Lathe
A lathe is a tool that spins a block of material to perform operations such as cutting or sanding to
create an object which has symmetry about an axis of rotation such as a table leg or a bowl.
Lathe Safety Operations
● Wear safety gears
● Operators should carefully inspect all parts of the lathe for defects before beginning
operations.
● Select stock carefully and inspect it closely before undertaking a project. Avoid using
wood with knots or splits.
● Make certain that the work is secure before you start turning operations.
● Never use your fingers to check the work for roundness while the lathe is running.
● Keep the woodturning tools (chisel, etc.) sharp.
● Provide plenty of lighting for your work. Poor lighting and shadows can increase fatigue
