Shopsmith Forums

Hi, are you ready for chapter 3? Yes it is another week and yes it is time to do your reading. Please go to:
http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/tblsaw ... /index.htm

You can find other threads related to reading through the on line version of the PTWFE at:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2985
(initial ideas)
and at:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2997
(the first chapter)
and at:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=3049
(the second chapter)

Ed

This is a wonderful chapter!! My first thought is this chapter should be read along with the Shopsmith Self Study Course http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... course.htm

Those who purchased their Mark V from Shopsmith received this many paged notebook insert. It is an excellent course and helped me and many others to develop skills in joint making, There is even a page that references the Self Study Course to pages in the revised PTWFE. The course also has self testing quizzes (by chapter) and answer sheets.

Personally, I recomend this course to all.

At first, when I looked at figure 3-12, I thought "No Way!" I had noticed what looked like splines between the sections. Trying to figure out how I could make the grooves for these splines, I realized the individual pieces were too short to safely cut grooves.

Then I read the text ! (Duh!) And found the "splines" were indeed staples. Whew!

O.K. But there is a safe way to saw grooves for splines in beveled pieces like this. You saw the grooves in longer work piece(s) before sawing the smaller pieces to length.

Splines are discussed later in the chapter.

I find that I do knot vary my joints very often, so it is good to refresh just how many joints are possible. It is good to try new ones occasionally.

I find the comments on figure 3-14 interesting. In effect they are saying, 'Be careful this may result in kickback so stand to one side or another.'

I think this speaks a ton of wisdom that is often lost on many. The fact is we are working with high powered machinery and that should alert us to the fact that it is dangerous and no amount of safety constraints are going to make it absolutely safe, it is up to ourselves to protect our safety.

Many of us go to great lengths in efforts to prevent "unsafe" situations when in fact what is needed is the awareness of the such a situation do exist by the nature of the what we are doing and the knowledge to avoid complications by being aware of how to protect ourselves.

I know many critize Norm on Old Yankee Workshop for the things he does, but again I like to believe Norm is being proactive and rather than relying on artifical safety he makes himself aware of the danger and proceeds accordingly. Many many disagree but take the time to count his fingers, they are all still there.

Again I'm not saying don't use safety devices where you can, what I'm saying and I think the caption on figure 3-14 is saying is, know what your doing. Woodworking is dangerous and be aware that things happen make sure you have yourself positioned in such a way that if something unexpected does happen your not in the direct line of fire.

I have used the study course, and you are right, it is a good curriculum! I think I will see if I can do a section or two as I go through the chapters in the book. I am amazed at how much there is to learn from the books and from the guys on this forum. I am just now getting to the place where I will think" Now where did I see that discussed" and go looking for help. "The admission of ignorance is the beginning of wisdom" as a wise man once said.

I think the only point were you get to old to learn happens about the time you die.... after that I guess you know about everything you need to.

Ed

I generally think of myself as safety concerned and follow safety guidelines and a few extras of my own. I've never had any major disasters, yes sometime the hammer seems to get confused on which nail to hit or I get a sliver... maybe drop something on my foot.

However not all that long ago I did manage to cut my forehead on the shopsmith. It wasn't plugged in, no blade, not even any actually wood working happening. Nope it was when I was waxing it up. I had the strip sander mounted down on one end and I was minding my own business enjoying the day. What happened was the plastic guard that comes with the sharpening kit had never had the corners rounded and the sharp edge cut me... so what is a little blood between man and machine. The worst part is I had scraped my arm on those corners several time... I had even noticed the edges when putting it together but being in a hurry I just stuck it together and figured I get to fixing it sometime... well the sometime was after I was bandaged up.

I'll let you draw your own lessons from this. (I'd leave off the one that says it is dangerous to wax the machine.)

Ed

Reible:

Your "injury" was quite minor compared to some recently posted on Lumberjocks.

Figure 3-23 is interesting. If you have the older Mark V with the metal lower guard, you can get this spacer (made of aluminum not wood) directly from Shopsmith. Works like a charm.