Basic Tool Safety and Equipment

Learning Targets I can explain safety skills used in agricultural mechanics. I can explain general shop safety. I can explain shop equipment

Terms Tilting Arbor Saw Kickback Band Saw Power Tool Miter Saw Saber Saw Stock Safety Planer Belt/Disk Sander Safety Glasses Relief Cuts

I can explain safety skills used in agricultural mechanics.

One of the most important things a person involved in agricultural mechanics can learn is how to create a safe place to work

Safety is defined as freedom from accidents. In agricultural mechanics, both hand tools and power tools are used. Whenever any type of machine is used or any type of work is done there is the possibility of accidents

Safety Precautions Install all machinery according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Keep all tools and equipment adjusted to specifications. Use tools and equipment only for their intended purpose. Provide proper storage for tools, materials, fuels, chemicals, and waste materials.

Keep all moving parts properly shielded. Protect eyes, face, feet, and other parts of the body with proper protective clothing and devices. Avoid running and other horseplay that create hazards. Read and follow all precautions. Use common sense

I can explain general shop safety

Protective Clothing It is very important, while working in the agricultural mechanics lab, to wear some type of protective clothing. The type of equipment being used by the person determines the type and amount of protective clothing.

The face and eyes Regarded as the most critical parts of the body to be protected. This is because the eyes are so easily damaged. Safety glasses or goggles provide a minimum amount of eye protection.

Body No part of the body is safe from injury in lab accidents. Suitable protective clothing that fits properly helps to prevent and reduce injuries. There should be no cuffs, strings, or ties for machinery to catch.

Feet Leather shoes with steel toes are recommended when working in the agricultural mechanics lab. Shoes should also have a minimum top of 6-inches. This is to reduce the chance of any material falling down the shoe while working.

I can explain shop equipment

Power tools can be classified by materials with which they are designed to work. The major classes are wood, metal and concrete.

Wood Metal Concrete Saws Grinder Finishers Drills Planers Lathes Shears Sanders Routers Shapers Joiners

Portable Circular Saw A portable circular saw is a lightweight, motor-driven, round-bladed saw used where stationary saws are impractical. It is the most popular saw used in woodworking. This saw can be used for crosscutting, ripping, and beveling. Because of its high speed and the tendency to kick back, the portable circular saw can be a dangerous tool.

Before operating a portable circular saw, read the operator’s manual, check the working condition of the guard, see that the saw is grounded and the blade is sharp. Saw to the line. When cutting a long board have a helper support the piece being cut off so that the blade does not kick back when the board is cut.

Cordless Drill Cordless drills are an invaluable tool for DIY projects and home repair. When I worked for a hardware store I used a cordless drill for building work benches to assembling display grills. Cordless drills are similar to corded drills; however they work with a rechargeable battery instead of a power cord.

When drilling you can use two hands or one hand depending on what you feel comfortable with. If you are using one hand you should keep the other one away from the bit to avoid injury. Most cordless drills have at least two speeds in which they can be set at; different materials require a faster speed in order to get through cleanly. The best way to find out what speed you need is start out low then increase it as needed.

Cordless drills have a reverse switch for easily getting out screws that has already been put in. You can strip the screw or even damage the project you are working on if you use the wrong setting by accident. Cordless drills are relatively safe; however accidents do happen. I recommend using safety glasses any time you use the cordless drill so that the bit does not break and blind you or a piece of the material you are drilling does not fracture and cause eye damage.

Miter Saw A miter saw is used for cutting wood materials, especially small pieces of trim, at precise angles to assure good fit. The angles of cut range from 45-90 degrees.

Put one hand on the handle and use the other to hold the material against the fence that is being cut. Stand to the side of the path of the saw blade. Be sure hands and arms are not in the line of the cut. Carefully lower the saw onto the material to be cut.

After cutting, allow the saw to raise, turn off the switch, and wait until the saw has stopped turning before taking your hands off the handle and moving the material that was cut. The saw head should be locked back and down when you are finished making a cut. This saw should be unplugged when you finish using it. using a mitersaw - Bing Videos

Reciprocating Saw A reciprocating saw (also known as a sawsall or tiger saw) has the blade at the end, much like the chuck of a drill. Any material to be cut should be carefully held in position. The reciprocating saw is larger and heavier than a saber saw. using a reciprocating saw - Bing Videos

Blades in a variety of lengths and widths can be used. The reciprocating saw is often used in remodeling work when holes are cut in walls to install new windows.

Saber Saw A saber saw a portable electric- powered saw with a small ridge blade that may be used to cut circles, curves, and holes in wood.

Before using a saber saw, be sure the blade is firmly in place. Adjust the base for thickness of the material being cut. Stock being cut should be clamped to the table before you start cutting.

Table Saw With a tilting arbor saw , the blade is tilted so that sawing at an angle is possible. The tilting arbor saw is more popular because it is easier and safer to use.

Many accidents result from the incorrect use of a table saw. When using a table saw, do not stand directly in front of the saw blade. The saw may “kick” the board back toward the operator.

Always use a guard for the blade of a saw. Failure to use a guard may mean the loss of a finger, hand, or your life. When ripping narrow pieces of stock use a push stick instead of your hands.

The height of the saw should be set 1/8 to ¼ inch higher that the thickness of the stock. Do not feed the wood to fast that the cut is rough. Sawing to slowly causes the saw blade to heat and become dull.

Power Nail Guns Power nail guns are either pneumatic or use a battery generated spark to ignite a charge of gas to drive nails. Power staplers are like the nailers only they shoot staples. The guns have a safety mechanism that will prevent firing nails or staples unless the gun is in contact with the work to be joined.

A chain saw is a gas or electric powered saw used in cutting and pruning trees and cutting large pieces of lumber where precision is not important. Cutting with a chain saw is by an endless chain that has teeth attached to links of the chain. The chain is similar to that found on a bicycle. Oil is regularly released onto the chain in small amounts to assure that it moves with little friction around the guide bar. Proper tension adjustment is always needed to assure safety and efficient cutting. A loosefitting chain can jump from the guide bar and cause injury. Careful attention must be given to safety. The blade must be kept away from parts of the body, such as the

arms, legs, and feet. Always stand with good balance and securely grip the handles. Chain saws sometimes kickback. Without a good grip and balance, the operator could be cut, knocked down, or otherwise injured. Eye protection is always needed. Hearing protection is needed with a chain saw powered by a gasoline engine. Chaps (heavy leg wear), gloves, and steel-toed shoes are recommended. A hardhat is a good idea too.

Chainsaw

Look for these safety features Spark arrestor on gasoline models Trigger or throttle lockout Chain catcher Bumper spikes Low kickback saw chain Hand guard Safety tip Chain brake Vibration reduction system

How to Carry a Chain Saw The engine should be shut off. The chain brake should be engaged. The scabbard is covering the guide bar to prevent cuts. The chain saw is carried backward. The muffler is carried away from the body to prevent burns.

Correct Starting 1. Hold the chain saw firmly in place. 2. Remove all loose debris and make sure the guide bar is not touching anything. 3. Make sure the chain brake is engaged. 4. Grip the front handle with left hand. 5. Depress the throttle for one second with the right hand. 6. The chain should not creep forward because the brake is engaged.

How to Hold a Chain Saw Wrap your thumbs firmly around the handles. The right hand should be firmly on the rear handle, so that the operator can reach the throttle latch and the stop switch. Quick Fact: Eighty percent of chain saw injuries are to the legs and hands.