5
20. Check damaged parts. Before further use of the machine, a guard or other part that is damaged
should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its intended
function. Check for alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting
and any other conditions that may affect its operation. A guard or other part that is damaged should
be properly repaired or replaced.
21. Keep visitors a safe distance from the work area. Keep children away.
22. Make your workshop child proof with padlocks, master switches or by removing starter keys.
23. Give your work undivided attention. Looking around, carrying on a conversation and “horse-play” are
careless acts that can result in serious injury.
24. Maintain a balanced stance at all times so that you do not fall or lean against the knives or other
moving parts. Do not overreach or use excessive force to perform any machine operation.
25. Use recommended accessories; improper accessories may be hazardous.
26. Maintain tools with care. Keep knives sharp and clean for the best and safest performance. Follow
instructions for lubricating and changing accessories.
27. Turn off the machine and disconnect from power before cleaning. Use a brush or compressed air to
remove chips or debris — do not use your hands.
28. Do not stand on the machine. Serious injury could
occur if the machine tips over.
29. Never leave the machine running unattended.
Turn the power off and do not leave the machine
until it comes to a complete stop.
30. When working a piece of wood on the jointer,
follow the 3-inch radius rule: The hands must
never be closer than 3 inches to the cutterhead.
See Figure 1.
31. Always use a hold-down or push block when
surfacing stock less than 12 inches long, or 3
inches wide, or 3 inches thick.
32. Do not perform jointing operations on material shorter than 8 inches in length, narrower than 3/4
inches, or less than 1/4 inch thick.
33. Do not make cuts deeper than 1/8 inch to avoid overloading the machine and to minimize chance of
kickback.
34. Never apply pressure to stock directly over the cutterhead. This may result in the stock tipping into
the cutterhead along with the operator’s fingers. Position hands away from extreme ends of stock,
and push through with a smooth, even motion. Never back workpiece toward the infeed table.
35. “Pull-out” and the danger of kicked back stock can occur when the work piece has knots, holes, or
foreign materials such as nails. It can also occur when the stock is fed against the grain on the jointer.
The grain must run in the same direction you are cutting. Before attempting to joint or plane, each
work piece must be carefully examined for stock condition and grain orientation.
NOTE: At certain times it may be necessary to plane against the grain when working with a swirl grain
wood or burl. With this type of work the operator must use a lesser depth of cut and a slow rate of
feed.