Woodcraft, leading retailer for woodworking tools and supplies, offers tips to help home improvement do-it-yourselfers to work smarter by working safer as they enter the spring/summer home improvement season.
Homeowners have grown increasingly hands-on when it comes to improving their homes. Rather than call a contractor to do household projects like finishing an attic or basement, combining smaller rooms into larger areas or building/installing new cabinets, nowadays more and more homeowners act as their own “contractor” or handyman.
“Though it’s often more affordable and rewarding for homeowners to tackle projects themselves, it is important to approach these projects with safety in mind,” Darin Lawrence, Woodcraft director of product development said. “Accidents are more likely to occur when the person working on the home is a weekend warrior instead of a trained professional. To help do-it-yourselfers work safely and successfully, Woodcraft offers the following tips.”
Be Prepared & Understand the Challenges
Begin every project with all the tools, supplies and plans you need rounded up and close at hand to keep your focus on the work, not something you still need. Be sure to include safety gear, a first aid kit, and a charged cellular phone, and work with a partner on the big projects whenever possible.
Inexperienced DIYers often struggle because they are using the wrong tools for the task or are unfamiliar with their tools, which increases their risk of accident and injury.
“If the project you plan to undertake involves unfamiliar tasks or tools you have not used often, do some research. Woodcraft offers books about home improvement topics, as well Woodcraft Magazine technique downloads and how-to videos for many products online,” product manager Ben Bice said. “Or get some expert advice at your nearest Woodcraft store or by calling (800) 535-4486 for technical advice.”
Create a Safe Working Environment
When working indoors, it is important to take steps to keep the air free of dust and debris for the health and safety of those breathing it,” Woodcraft power tools manager Jay MacDougall said. To maintain a dust-free environment, MacDougall recommended using products like the Oneida 5-Gallon Molded Dust Deputy Kit that works with a shop vacuum to capture 99% of the dust.
MacDougall suggested also using a complementary tool, the JET Air Filtration System that will clean and circulate the air, filtering out 99% of five-micron size and 85 % of one-micron size particles.
Woodcraft suggests using protective gear like that shown below for the head, mouth, eyes, ears, hands and feet while doing tasks such as sanding, fastening, joining, sharpening or finishing.
Breathe Healthy Antimicrobial Dust Mask
Bionic Face Shield, Trend Airshield Pro
Trend Air Circulating Face Shield
Shop Aprons come in leather or denim and with tool pockets
Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats
Adjustable Shop Lights and LED Light Bulbs
Little Wizard II
“Although not strictly a safety product, adequate lighting is important to see tools and materials clearly – especially any directions for use that are included directly on the products,” product manager Kyle Meyer said. “Woodcraft offers adjustable shop lights, as well as a new line of LED light bulbs from Keystone.”
Projects that involve working on walls can pose special challenges, so Woodcraft suggests using a metal detector like the Little Wizard II to locate unknown items hidden in new or reclaimed wood.
Select User-Friendly Products
To join wood pieces for framing, building or repairing furniture and cabinets and other household projects, product manager David Jervis said many DIYers opt for pocket-hole joinery. “A circular saw and a drill are all you need to do pocket-hole joinery with the popular Kreg Jig System,” he said.
For those who need to use a table saw, MacDougall suggested the SawStop Jobsite Saw with cart and fence. “This portable offering from SawStop is the new standard in jobsite safety. Now you can have the precision, quality and safety of a SawStop saw wherever the job takes you.”
Gorilla Gripper grips panels so one person can carry a large panel of plywood, drywall or sheet goods if a helper is not available.
FastCap 3rd Hand provides a support, brace, or clamp whenever you need an extra hand.
MicroJig GRR-RIP Block Smart Pushblock gives the user control of material when using jointers, bandsaws, table saws, shapers and router tables.
MicroJig GRR-RIP MJ Splitter for use with a zero clearance insert for the table saw to produce a featherboard effect.
Do-it-yourself projects can be satisfying and rewarding, just don’t forget to always keep safety in mind! Stop by your local Woodcraft store to find these and other great products to help you work safer and smarter.
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