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• The Seven Golden Rules of Power Tool Safety

  Posted April 21, 2008

  Every time you turn on any of your power tools you run the risk of catastrophic harm to your body. This sobering fact is always close to mind in the best woodworkers and other power tool using trades people, and it's part of what keeps them safe. Furthermore, the safest people in the power tool using community know and follow the seven rules of power tool safety outlined for you below.

  This article is not intended to replace the importance of reading the safety instructions in the manual that comes with every power tool... Be careful and be safe.

  1) You Are The Most Dangerous Power Tool
  Power tool users debate at great length about which is actually the most dangerous power tool. There's widespread agreement however that the number one most dangerous power tool is the operator himself, as there are very few cases of any power tools leaping out to attack randomly. Remember that every time you turn on a power tool it's you who are responsible for having the same number of fingers when you turn it off. This may seem like an obvious statement but it's the arrogant, cocky and negligent power tool users who end up forgetting this cardinal truth.

  2) All Tools are Equally Dangerous, but Some are More Frequently Harmful
  Every tool in your tool box can be dangerous to you if you forget the cardinal rule, but some are definitely more frequent causes of trips to the emergency room. You should exercise caution especially when you pick up that box cutter of yours to break down some boxes. Also, the table saw is widely considered one of the most frequent manglers of fingers, as is the radial arm saw, the shaper and the chain saw.

  3) Keep Your Tools Sharp, True, Clean and Running Smooth
  Tool maintenance is another key factor in power tool safety. You should study the manual that comes with all of your power tools to learn how and how often you should be sharpening, aligning and cleaning your tool. And always be on the look out for changes in its operating function - listen for funny noises or any jiggles that may develop. These are signs that you need to spend some time getting your manual out and make some adjustments. A calendar in your shop that you can mark with tool maintenance times is a good idea too.

  4) Keep Your Work Space Tidy, Well Lit and Distraction Free
  Whether you're working in your basement shop or a job site it's vital that you keep it clean, well lit and free from distractions. The cleanliness and tidiness means that you won't be tripping over any bits and pieces that you've left around. Get into the habit of cleaning up after yourself as you work and you'll be well along your way to preventing any major problems with work-site accidents. Strong lighting too is vital to any power tool operation as the lighting is what keeps your fingers away from the blade and shows you exactly where blades are at all times. Get as many watts as possible on your next job and you'll keep yourself out of the emergency room. Finally, make sure that there's no music on that could distract you, or cell phones or anything else that pulls your attention away from where it needs to be.

  5) Purchase or Make the Appropriate Safety Accessories
  Woodworkers have their push sticks, feather boards and push blocks to make sure that they keep their cuts as true as possible while keeping their fingers away from the blade. Many power tools have common safety accessories and it's up to you to make sure that you've learned as much as you can about each one and that you use it effectively to protect yourself from catastrophic injury.

  6) Keep a First Aid Kit Handy
  In addition to the normal stuff like bandages and peroxide you're going to want to keep a couple of extra items handy that have a grizzly importance. Keep a plastic garbage bag handy for transporting any severed limbs with you to the hospital. Further, a hand mirror is vital for checking on your face in the case of a facial injury. Have these items available and hope that you never have to use them.

  7) Always Trust Your Instincts
  Most power tool operators report a little twinge of conscience right before they get hurt on a power tool. A little voice or feeling that says "hm... this isn't safe." If you get that feeling then stop what ever you're doing right away. Further, it's often when people try old jobs in new ways - that they just make up on the spot without thinking through - that they get hurt too. So pay attention to that little voice inside of you and you'll be much more likely to stay safe!

  Remember - it's up to you to keep yourself safe when using power tools. Always read the manuals and remember the seven rules of power tool safety!

• Your Guide To Popular Air Tools

  Posted April 15, 2008

  The Air tools also known as pneumatic air tool is quick, reliable, efficient, powerful and yet safest tool. It is convenient to use and is replacing the conventional electric tools.

  An air tool, as the name implies, runs on compressed air, which is generated by the air compressor.

  This tool has successfully replaced the electric tools. Air tools are more powerful than traditional electric tools and can do heavy-duty jobs without any difficulty.

  The higher torque and higher RPM in these tools helps to get the job done quickly. These tools are versatile and easily interchangeable. Air tools are the safest option to other sources.

  These tools are becoming irreplaceable and gaining popularity due to their high performance uses for all tasks. The tools have proved wrong the popular belief of being less powerful and sheer waste of money. On the Contrary it has been established as powerful, sturdy and money saving options that are capable of handling every task.

  For operating the tools what you need is an air compressor. You need to choose the compressor good for your air tool. There are specifically two general models of air compressors, which are suitable to these tools. These compressors are home air compressor and business or commercial air compressor.

  Home Air Compressor:
  Compressed-air power tools can dramatically decrease the amount of time spent on a project. Many homeowners will use smaller, portable units (either hand-carried or wheeled) that move easily from the garage to the house, yard or roof.

  Common air tools such as brad nailers, reversible drills, and impact wrenches require about 0.5 CFM (Cubic feet per minute/units in which air flow is measured).

  It is important to know if the compressor you purchase will drive the tool you need for your project. For example, smaller air nailers run on 2 to 5 CFM at 70 to 90 PSI, while larger shears, sanders and polishers require up to 10 or more CFM and 100 to 120 PSI.

  Business or commercial air compressor:
  Air compressors used for business/commercial applications are often classified "industrial grade." They're packed with features that let you take on more demanding jobs with more horsepower, more CFM, more PSI and more (longer) run times.

  Though some industrial-grade compressors are portable, many are stationary units with large-capacity, ASME certified air tanks (up to 120 gallons), greater HP, more CFM air volume and faster recovery time to run a wide variety of air tools for as long as you need them to do the job.

  There are almost all types of tools that are powered conventionally by means of electricity are available as air tools. It includes Impact Wrenches, Ratchets, Air Cutting Tools, Air Hammers, Grinders, Sanders / Polishers / Buffers, Needle / Chisel / Piston Scalers, Screwdrivers, Air Nutrunners, Pulse Tools, DC Electric Systems, Calibration Equipment, Chipping Hammers, Rivet Busters etc. the peculiar features of air tool makes possible for more wide purposes.

• Basement Preparation

  Posted April 10, 2008

  Before adding insulation to the basement walls or the crawl space foundation, and prior to refinishing a basement room, it is essential that you repair any leaks and solve any problems with dampness. Wait until it is thoroughly dry before you install the insulation, to be sure all problems have been eliminated. If you are unsure whether or not you have such a problem, tape a square-foot piece of plastic to the basement wall or floor. Leave it in place for a week. If condensation builds up under the plastic, you have a problem that needs to be solved.

  The causes of such condensation can be extensive. Some of the most common are leaks and cracks in the concrete, and seepage, condensation, or drainage problems around the foundation. That may sound like a lot of work but a systematic going over of each potential trouble spot will save you a great deal of time, trouble, and money later on.

  Cracks can be caulked. Seepage can be lessened by painting waterproofing sealant on the interior walls.

  I recommend installing closable vents for the crawl space. Open them in warm weather to air out the crawl space and close them in winter to prevent heat loss.

  In low-ground areas where drainage is a problem, install drain tiles or pipes around the perimeter of the foundation. In some cases you may even need a sump pump to pump out excess water. Be sure the clothes dryer is properly vented outside.

  For more information on caulking and sealing, see the section on Weatherization. Weatherization goes hand in hand with insulation, and many of the solutions overlap.

  Insulating basement and crawl space sometimes calls for a different type of insulation than does insulating attic and walls of a home. In the first place, the basement and crawl space are more susceptible to moisture seepage, which can lead to problems like wet or damp surfaces, stained finishes, mildew, and so on. Water vapor moves easily through most materials used in construction, including brick and concrete block. A basement wall that is not adequately insulated with a moisture-resistant material will conduct warm moist air from the living space through to the cooler outer wall where it is likely to condense. If you are not heating the basement or crawl space, you will want to insulate underneath the first floor. This is best done with fiberglass insulation installed between the joists with the vapor barrier up toward the heated area.

  You may want to use a closed-cell, rigid foam panel or the reflective layered type of insulation in these areas if you plan to heat the space below the floor. In this case, you will be insulating the basement walls, not the floor.

  Rigid foam panels can be used to insulate both interior and exterior walls. The closed-cell type is not as susceptible to moisture as are other types of insulation. Use only closed-cell types in below-grade application. It usually comes in 2' x 8' sheets and should be covered with a fire-resistant material, such as drywall, when exposed to the inside.

• Tool Management Tips

  Posted April 2, 2008

  Is your team properly equipped?

  One of the most common inefficiencies in the building industry is tool management. By carefully considering the what, where and when of tool use, you can reduce the occurrence of “disappearing” tools and limit the time spent looking for tools instead of actually using them to complete the project.

  For starters, when allocating tools it is important to distribute tools by work crew, not to the overall job. Each crew should have all of the tools they will need to complete the work they will be doing on a daily basis. Having adequate availability for each of your crews and each member of your crew will discourage the hoarding of tools and limit the frustration of tracking down a tool or waiting for someone to finish with it. If there is limited availability for a specific tool, proper scheduling ahead of time can also be helpful and prevent on-the-job shortcomings.

  Whatever you do, make sure your team is also equipped with the right tools for the job. Making sure each team has the right tools for the job will not only increase efficiency, it will also increase safety.

  Speaking of safety…

  Practicing tool safety skills is an integral part of a successful job. Not only will it help ensure the safety of you and your crew, but it will also help prolong the life of your equipment. Read on for some essential tool safety tips:

  • Before every use, all tools must be carefully inspected for cracks, damage and alignment. If something seems off, check the tool more closely. If you can't immediately check the tool, make sure you remove it from the immediate job site so someone else won't use it.
  • Keep long hair, loose clothing and jewelry away from any type of rotating tools or machinery such as a drill press.
  • Never plug a tool into an electrical outlet unless you have double-checked that it is in the "off" position and always unplug tools that aren't in use.
  • Do not carry tools by the cord and do not yank the cord to disconnect a tool from an outlet. Also, be careful stringing cords across work areas; trips on cords are a very common cause of workplace injury.
  • Store all gasoline-powered tools away from pilot lights (in water heaters and furnaces, for instance) and other sources of open flame. Take great care in storing gasoline, and only use proper containers.
  • Pneumatic tools must be checked to see that the tools are fastened securely to the air hose to prevent them from becoming disconnected.
  • Pneumatic tools that shoot nails, rivets, staples or similar fasteners must be equipped with a safety to keep fasteners from being ejected, unless the muzzle is pressed against the work surface.
  • When working around flammable substances, spark-resistant tools made of non-ferrous materials such as aluminum or brass should be used. Iron or steel hand tools may produce sparks that can be an ignition source.

  Tools are great time savers and can provide years of service and satisfaction. Following these simple steps for safety will certainly help you protect your crew and your tools.