Precautions
to be taken while carving
Avoid the cutting edges of your tools at all times. By that
I mean never have your hand or arm or body in the direction
of the tool's travel. Don't let anyone stand directly in front
of you when you are carving because sometimes the tool slips
out of your hand and if, by chance, you are driving the tool,
it can go across the shop in a hurry, cutting as it goes. Never
use a carving tool to whittle with. Use a sharp jackknife. Never
use a dull tool. More accidents are caused by dull tools than
sharp ones. Take care when you use these lethal weapons. They
don't care what they cut, but you do-presumably.
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The
first axiom-never wear loose, floppy garments when you work
around machines. Never wear a necktie. Never have the tabs of
your shop apron tied in front of you. Don't have loose cuffs
on your coveralls. These are mantraps and, if they get caught
in the moving blades, will yank you or your hand into the blade
and that is that. Keep your hands and fingers away from all
machine tools; two inches is the close limit.
For machine tools, if you want them, I would suggest a band
saw (Image 17). In addition to the band saw, a table saw or
its equal is good and a great help. A small drill press is one
of the useful tools that can be had in the shop. You can go
on from there and spend lots more, but, in my opinion, you don't
have to. Personally, I won't have a rotary jointer in the shop.
I dislike this tool and have seen too many accidents resulting
from its use even by skilled workmen.
Each of the foregoing machine tools requires some skill in getting
the most out of it. I suggest that trial cuts be made in waste
stock until you have learned the basic use of each tool.

Work
on band saw. Note that my hands and fingers are held well away
from the blade. This is important!
Excellent
machine tools can be obtained or ordered by mail from the leading
mail-order houses. The best-made tools are legion and there
is a large choice among reputable tool manufacturers. Handbooks
are available for each of these tools, usually put out by the
maker or, in the case of the catalogue houses, from them. Read
the rules and abide by them. Safety in the shop is an ESSENTIAL
MUST. The directions for all machine tools will emphasize this
point, too.
In
the final analysis, don't overbuy tools at the start. Be content
to use the humble tools first. Learn by practice how to sharpen
those that you have, to take care of them, and how to get the
most out of them and how to keep your digits intact.
One
final parting shot. Let the tool do the work. Take your time.
Don't hurry. Go easy. Quit when you get tired. Don't work more
than six hours a day on any project and be careful.


