Machines and Power Tools: notes

Sawing machines

• Circular saw bench: a round toothed blade rises through a table. Use a push stick to feed the last part of a cut, a riving knife behind the blade to stop the cut closing, and a guard above it.
• Band saw: a thin looped blade runs over two wheels. It cuts curves and also straight cuts in thick timber.
• Jigsaw: a portable saw with a short up and down blade for curves in boards.

Planing and shaping

• Surface planer: makes one face and one edge flat and straight.
• Thicknesser: then brings the board to an even thickness. Together they do the work of the jack plane.
• Router: a fast spinning cutter that cuts grooves, rebates and decorative edges.
• Wood lathe: spins the timber so a turning tool can shape round items such as table legs and bowls.

Drilling and sanding

• Pillar drill: holds the bit upright for accurate holes. Clamp the work, never hold it by hand.
• Bits: a twist drill makes small holes. A forstner bit cuts a flat bottomed hole. An auger bit bores deep holes.
• Sanders: a belt sander removes wood quickly. An orbital sander gives a smooth finish.

Safety on machines

• Wear eye protection and ear protection, keep guards in place, and switch off and unplug before changing a blade or cutter.
• Use dust extraction, because fine dust harms the lungs.