If your jointer or planer knives get a nick or two, they may still have lots of life in them. Simply stagger the knives as needed. The good knives will clean up the raised lines left by the nicked knives. Before turning the power back on, make sure all blades spin freely.
Files should always be protected from grease, water, or nicks that can make them less effective. When carrying files in a toolbox, it is a good idea to wrap them in a cloth. When storing, try to hang them in a rack or keep them in a drawer with wooden divisions. Keep file teeth clean by using a file card or a wire brush to clear the grooves.
When using hand files, it is best to hold the stock firmly in a vise or clamp. For better results, try to keep the stock being filed at about elbow height. For heavier filing work, the stock should be lower; if the work is finer, try to keep it up closer to eye level.
Before and after each use, check the saw’s safety mechanisms. Make sure that blade guards are operating properly and smoothly. Pay special attention to the proper care and storage of saw blades. Keep them clean and free of all dirt and resins. Oven cleaner does a great job.
If, when mounting a bandsaw blade, the saw teeth are pointing up instead of down, don’t panic. Chances are that the saw blade got twisted inside out as it was uncoiled. To remedy, just twist the saw blade right-side out and it will mount correctly. Watch for this, especially when you are mounting a metal-cutting blade which has small teeth. If used upside down it will cut poorly and the teeth can lose their edge quickly.
If you’re just starting out, three power tools for general woodworking that are worth spending more money on include a good tablesaw, router and drill press. With these three, plus some hand tools, you will be able to build many of the projects in how-to magazines. Which tool you buy first can depend on the projects you are planning, but a good saw usually gets priority.
Never use the wrong type of blade in your circular saw. Always match the type and rpm rating of blade to the material being cut.
Clean your drill and router bits often. Use oven cleaner or soak overnight in turpentine. Wipe clean then coat with light oil.
Never change your drill and router bits without first disconnecting the power cord.
Kickback is a leading cause of power saw injuries. A hazard inherent to all power saws regardless of brand or style, it occurs when the material binds or pinches the saw blade during a cut. In a split second, kickback can jerk the saw out of a user’s hands or shoot the piece of wood he’s cutting back toward him.
