4. Handling of tools
In order to avoid severe cuts, safety measures must be taken when handling tools.
Always wear safety gloves when handling tools, even a blunt tool can cause serious damage
to the hands!
5. Installing tools
Special equipment, such as tool setting gauges, must be only used when the machine is not
operating. Table insert rings must be used in order to reduce to a minimum the space between
the table and the spindle shaft.
6. Rotation direction and choice of speeds
It is very important that the chosen tool turns in the right direction. When the piece is
presented, the operator must take care that the workpiece is fed in the correct direction and
that the correct speed has been chosen. The speed must also be suited to the tool on the
machine.
7. Functioning of the machine, choice of safety equipment and adjustment
Because of the various tasks that can be carried out with the various types of spindle shafts,
spindle holders and cutterblocks, different types of safety equipment must be used. Every
operation must be examined separately, then the correct guarding must be chosen.
The minimal opening in the table also depends on the type of cutterblock, diameter of the
knives and height in which the cutterblock is adjusted. This can be done by using the table
insert rings which are delivered with the machine. In that way, the opening is as small as
possible, and the piece can no longer flip over and hit the knives.
Using a power feeder can prevent most serious accidents involving the hands. Such feeders
can easily be adjusted and adapted to the size of the pieces.
When no power feeder is used, the woodpushers must be used, the horizontal and vertical
springs making a tunnel in which the piece can be slid. These pushers, together with other
safety equipment, reduces the gap between the cutting tool and the guide fences.
8. Working with the spindle fence when the total length of the piece has to be machined
In most cases a straight spindle guard fence is used. The pieces can therefore be guided in the
angle made by the table and the fence. The vertical and horizontal pushers can be placed in
such a way that they make a tunnel in which the first piece can be pushed. The second piece
is then used to push the first one, the last piece is pushed forward with a woodpusher.
Special blocks must be used relative to the dimensions of the piece. When working panels of
small thickness, only the top of the spring may be used, on condition that the thickness
matches.
On a spindle-moulder, the distance between the 2 extremities of the spindle guard fence must
be large enough to leave enough space for the cutter block. Thus the knives, the cutter block
and the spindle shaft may be exposed and the extremity of the piece may come in contact with
the nose of the exit spindle guard fence.
These risks can be avoided by using a false fence between the 2 spindle guard fences thus
limiting the opening between them.
9. Working with the spindle fence when only a part of the piece is machined
When working with the spindle fence, and this between 2 stops fixed onto the machine table
or fences, only a part of the workpiece is machined. By doing so, the cutting tool starts to
machine the wood in the full section of the wood, and does not start at the front, where the
cutting action is more gradual, and less severe.
The cutting action is stopped before the workpiece end is reached. This action is very
dangerous and needs special care and attention. A stop, solidly fixed at the front and back,
must be used.
A piece may only be guided by hand when it is sufficiently large, in all other cases a gauge or
a support with protection must be used in order to avoid serious accidents. By means of the
gauge, the piece can quickly and precisely be put into place and firmly held there.
A quick clamping system, working with tumblers or with cams, is the most practical system
to hold the piece.
When the front and backstops are fixed to the spindle guard fence or to the table, a better
control of the gauge is possible.
