| Mike Walsh |
| Newbie |
| Michael S. Walsh |
| Allegan MI |
| President, VMS Inc. |
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| Male |
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| Wednesday, September 13, 2006 |
| Tuesday, February 12, 2013 3:45:15 PM |
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When I was teaching we covered one 'glue up" bench the same way but used 1/8" hardboard. However knife cuts and dents made summer replacement routine. Here in our warehouse we did the same thing but found the soft white plastic sheets sold by Home Depot to use behind urinals were ideal. They are soft so knife cuts "heal" and glue and paste flake off. One bench cover is now several years old.
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College of the Redwoods
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There are anti-kickback wheeled hold down units that mount on table saw or jointer fences. They are still available from Woodcraft - their product number 146836. Scroll down the page there are other options. Some have roller skate wheels and only held the work “down”. Others have neoprene wheels and both held work down and against the fence. The units work pretty well. Either may help her feed stock
Have you thought of making this situation into a class “problem solving extra credit assignment” ? Let students come up with jigs, fixtures and plan modifications to help her. It is a real world design problem, they can see the benefits and the project would give you a chance to introduce problem solving and safety from another direction.
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Get in touch with a VA hospital. They have “shops” – sometimes run by PT’s. Often they are called the “craft’ room. All use a lot of tricks to make machines / hand tools useable. I do not have a name or location – anybody help?
When she uses rotating blade tools she will have to release her grip to reposition her hand. This is the dangerous time when the work can kick back or grab. She has to be aware that she will have to adjust her setups to avoid this problem.
Work holding is the trick. Look for feather boards that can be positioned and fastened with one hand. Magnetic is good, so are the T-slot versions that have just one clamp wheel. DeStaCo (sp?) clamps are great. Goose neck hold downs for your benches will be used a lot too.
If you can snag a power feed for the table saw / jointer … it could help her -- but may be very frustrating for your other students to reposition for their work. Some, like the old Delta and Powermatic units may be too heavy for her (or you) to adjust. .
Advise her to be careful. She may try to position or hold work on a power tool using her shorter arm or body. This may put her blouse, hair or hand too close to the safety zone. Her body position may have to be “different” but with your help she can find safe positions. You may need to require her to have you help her with dry runs on her operations.
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There is a MN TechEd Assn meeting in early fall. Usually St Cloud. The Univ of WI- Stout has a professional development event - again usually in Oct.
WI has a TechEd conference in late winter in the Dells.
All are good solid conferences with a chance to meet other teachers.
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Your state used to have published standards for labs - I think that position moved from Austin to College Station. Start there with the TechEd Teacher Ed Dept.
Your insurance company ( not your local agent) will have a Risk Management Specialist who should give you guidance. Eventually this person may have to inspect your shop so they may not be forthcoming. Be careful to get your administrations blessing to contact these folks.
Many University graduate programs in Administration & Supervision include a Facilities Management course or section. (Remember College Station ) Contact that instructor to see if they have any recommendations, handouts or contact lists.
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Roy Give me a call. I may have a couple of leads.
Mike Walsh two six nine six seven three two two zero zero
week days 9-5
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Broadhead Garrets furniture was mostly made by HANN MANUFACTURING, INC.Malta, OH. I am not sure that company was sold to School Specialty when Broadhead was. That company used to sell direct to schools.
Another major manufacturer is Shane Shop Built. Paxton Patterson, SATCO and Midwest School all carry them.
Other good mfg are Spectrum, Green and Flexible Montisa both in MI. These guys make steel furniture.
Most furniture can be ordered with whatever top you want.
Most technical rep groups (that sell you trainers, SawStop's...) carry lines of furniture. They have the advantage of coming to your shop to measure and also know which mfg deliver on time and as advertised.
Totally agree on the quick release. Half nuts do not stand up to kids. If you buy one - buy a gross of the half nuts and a big bottle aspirin too.
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We had a set of standardized safety tests. Kids had to get 100%. There was a cutoff day by which all kids had to pass all tests or no shop. At the end of the year we turned in a separate class roster / grade sheet showing the tests were passed and stapled a set of the tests to the report. Most of us added notes if we had safety issues with a kid. Those sheets went into a special file (other grade sheets were computerized ) so they could be pulled in case of lawsuit. If memory serves they were held for seven years.
It was never too much trouble as it was pretty straight forward and I did not have to store the papers. I have heard of several instances of guys being pulled into court so any system that limits liability would be good.
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Come to the National SkillsUSA contest in Kansas City June 17 - 20. You will be amazed at the size, the quality of the competition and the outstanding teachers in-service programs.
If you need an excuse... I need judges for my contest - Career Pathways Showcase. We have over 180 kids competing. They come from all sixteen cluster areas so we need all kinds of expertise.
Want more info or to volunteer - email mike(KILLSPAM)@VMS-online.com (delete killspam)
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