Shopsmith Forums

Hello Newbies,

This week I was able to spend several hours playing on my ShopSmith. Here is what I learned.

First the advice you get on this forum is terrific! Read and learn from the experts. By the way, many thanks to all of you who encouraged me. My used ShopSmith actually seems to run much smoother since I put a few hours on it.

Second, study the Power Tool Woodworking Manual! I also took the first lesson in the 10 Simple Lessons Course. By reading these books you learn a lot!

Third, pick a project that follows the course material. The first course chapters were about cutting (ripsawing and crosscutting). So to apply what I learned, I created some storage shelves for my workshop-all straight cutting, no bevels or fancy angles.

Third, setting up the fence can be a bit of a pain to get the cuts accurate. I remembered reading in my books about using the quill feed and lock to "fine tune" settings on the saw. Voila! That worked like a champ!

The only exciting moment came when a small cutoff touched the saw blade and then ricocheted around the shop like a pinball! I was standing off to the side of the blade (just like the book taught me) so no damage was done. Great way to learn a lesson-one I won't forget!

Because of the things I learned in both books, I am now the proud owner of some new storage shelves in my shop! I strongly recommend the books to all beginners. They teach you everything you need to know.

jon wrote:Hello Newbies,

This week I was able to spend several hours playing on my ShopSmith. Here is what I learned.

First the advice you get on this forum is terrific! Read and learn from the experts. By the way, many thanks to all of you who encouraged me. My used ShopSmith actually seems to run much smoother since I put a few hours on it.

Second, study the Power Tool Woodworking Manual! I also took the first lesson in the 10 Simple Lessons Course. By reading these books you learn a lot!

Third, pick a project that follows the course material. The first course chapters were about cutting (ripsawing and crosscutting). So to apply what I learned, I created some storage shelves for my workshop-all straight cutting, no bevels or fancy angles.

Third, setting up the fence can be a bit of a pain to get the cuts accurate. I remembered reading in my books about using the quill feed and lock to "fine tune" settings on the saw. Voila! That worked like a champ!

The only exciting moment came when a small cutoff touched the saw blade and then ricocheted around the shop like a pinball! I was standing off to the side of the blade (just like the book taught me) so no damage was done. Great way to learn a lesson-one I won't forget!

Because of the things I learned in both books, I am now the proud owner of some new storage shelves in my shop! I strongly recommend the books to all beginners. They teach you everything you need to know.

That little cutoff piece that went ricocheting around the shop can be the cause of much pain! Resist the temptation to reach in to get it. Turn the saw off and let the blade run down and then remove the cutoff.

All to often, if you reach for it with the blade running, you are likely to push that cutoff as you attempt to grasp it. If you push it toward the blade....well, need I say more.

Even after the power has been switched off, that free wheeling blade can be quite hazardous. I speak from experience. These are some of the table saw incidents that you never read about....but....they do happen.

I'm impressed. You are definitely on the right track to learning this art the right way.

Be thankful that you got a good demonstration of kick-back at such a cheap price. Dusty is right, never even think about reaching for that kind of thing until that blade has completely stopped moving. I can't think of anything that is ever so urgent as to risk losing a finger over.

Keep posting. We all love to hear each other's stories.

jon wrote: . . . They teach you everything you need to know.

No! Not 'everything'! But a very excellent start!:)

Welcome to the Forum! The best is yet to come.

JPG,

You are right. Experience is also an excellent teacher!

Hi, jon!

Thank you for your report (first post in this thread). You are definitely on the right track to learning woodworking.

Hopefully all newbies and many of us older woodworkers will get a chance to read it. Yes! the lessons and the course work are very valuable!! There is just no better lessons than producing your own cuts and joints, using different methods, as described in the lesson book.

I might add - from experience - be extra careful once you are getting comfortable with the power tools.