Wood Shop Training

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Introductory Wood Shop Class

(Group or Individual Training)

  • Wood Shop Tour
    • Safety glasses, dangling hair, hoodie strings, hearing protection, etc.
    • Cleaning up: shop vac, brush, dustpan, broom, trashcans
    • Giant dust collector should not be switched on-off frequently
    • Look for QR codes on equipment (links to i3 wiki pages)
    • Shop Bulletin Area and Contribution Box
  • Craftsman 12in Band Saw
    • Miter gauges and fence
    • Using the band saw light
    • Power switch/EPO location and operation
    • Workpiece materials compatible with these machines
    • Raising/lowering the upper blade guides
    • What is resawing; careful alignment is required for resawing
    • Holding the workpiece safely
    • How hard to push the workpiece
    • Why you should never pull the workpiece
    • Sawing along a pencil line (hands-on w/ Craftsman)
    • Sawing curves (hands-on w/ Craftsman)
  • DeWALT Mitersaw
    • Pin to lock down the arm
    • Line up the blade
    • Clamp the workpiece for best accuracy (cannot hold it still by hand)
    • Stop the blade while the arm is in the down position (less chance of kickback)
    • How to make a zero-clearance fence (less splintering on back side of workpiece)
    • Setting angle of blade (vernier scale)
    • Roller stand is available for longer wood
  • Delta 12in Disc Sander
    • Power switch location/operation
    • Disk brake
    • Workpiece materials compatible with this machine
    • Holding the workpiece safely
    • Maximum workpiece length is half disc diameter
    • Cleaning the paper with a gum rubber stick
    • Dust control
  • Disc/belt sander
    • Use belt section for workpieces to long for the disc sander


  • Jointer
    • Natural wood workpieces only
    • Makes one straight edge (that is all)
    • Always push the board with pads to protect hands from blades
    • Convex vs. concave boards
    • Keep board in contact with the outfeed table
  • SawStop Table Saw
    • AKA the table saw
    • Safety Glasses Required
    • Use of the Saw, Ripping Kiln Dried Wood, cross cutting panels, Do not cut conductive materials or laser cut carbon trace material.
    • Safety Trip, In the event of a safety trip i3 will cover the brake cartridge cost, the member will pay for a new saw blade which is in the $100 range.
    • Main table, outfeed table, etc.
    • Show Insert removal, Brake Cartridge,
    • Removal of Blade Guard and or Use Riving Knife One Must be attached at all times (no exception)
    • Blade height and angle adjustment
    • How to set/adjust blade tilt (good metal square between saw teeth)
    • How to set blade height for safety
    • Use of Miter gage, rip fence, sleds
    • Use of Safety - push sticks, paddles, 6 inch rule
    • Power switch on saw, discuss system start up and shut down, power shutoff on wall
    • Dust Collector, how to turn it on.
    • User posture/position vs. kickback trajectory
    • Customized pushing block
    • Pushing block and pushing stick working together
    • Changing blade is part of routine use, not just maintenance task
    • Power off at wall. Safety switch on wall.
    • Types of table saw blades and their uses (rip, combination, plywood)
    • Fence should always be at least 1/2" away from blade
    • Crosscut sled (workpiece 3/4" thick or less)
    • Tapering jig (tapered table legs or similar workpieces)
    • Feather board
    • Miter gauge (use and adjustment)

Possible Future Topics

  • Jet Drill Press
    • Clamping the workpiece safely
    • How hard to push the drill bit into the workpiece
    • Marking an accurate hole location
    • Center punch / center drill to begin holes
    • Selecting drill bits
    • Changing drill bits


  • Introductory Class Project
    • Birdhouse


Advanced/Specialized Wood Shop Classes

(Small Group or Individual Training)

Advanced Saw Stop Topics

  • Changing blade and adjusting Brake Cartridge
  • Disabling Brake sensor Feature

Advanced Drill Press Topics

  • Adjusting the table height
  • Setting the vertical travel stops
  • Using a drill press vise
  • Dust control system
  • How to tell when a bit needs to be sharpened
  • Changing the drill speed
  • Using Forstner and other large (over 1/2 in) bits
  • Consumables costs
  • Using brushes or sanders in the chuck
  • Making fixtures for repeating hole locations
  • Making fixtures for workpiece clamping


Advanced Disc Sander Topics

  • Adjusting the table angle
  • Selecting sandpaper grits
  • Replacing sandpaper disc
  • How to tell when the sandpaper needs to be replaced
  • Consumables costs
  • Review all core topics above
  • Adjusting the table-disc clearance
  • Making special tools and jigs


Advanced Band Saw Topics

  • Dust control system
  • How to tell when the blade needs to be replaced
  • Consumables costs
  • Adjusting the table tilt angle
  • Selecting a blade
  • Replacing the blade (tension and tracking adjustments)
  • Adjusting Upper and Lower blade guides
  • Setting upper and lower blade guide clearances
  • Resawing
  • Making fixtures for locating/aligning the workpiece


Dovetail Joints

  • TBD


Wood Shop Class Projects

(Small Group or Individual Training)


Hardwood Candlestick Holder

  • TBD


Rolling Equipment Cart for Your Home Shop

  • TBD