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tools:general_metals:clearance

General Metals Clearance

Members who are already proficient in the subject matter may apply to receive a clearance by demonstrating a core set of skills and knowledge that allow them to safely and effectively use the equipment.

Most tools in the shop require clearance before solo use. Each tool is different and most are expensive and/or delicate.

During a Proficiency Based Clearance Instructors will provide Protohaven specific customs and rules for the equipment but will not provide technical instruction on the operation of the hardware, or software.

If a member needs to gain additional knowledge or skill they should take a Basic Skills Class to learn the required skills.

The items that will need to be demonstrated to gain the Proficiency Based Clearance are:

General Shop Rules

Be safe

  • Understands safety clearances are required as bare minimum.
  • Understands equipment must never be left unattended.
  • Understands why equipment must be reset after use.

Take care of the tools

  • Will not alter or use equipment beyond limits.
  • Will notify when maintenance is needed.

Keep the shop clean

  • Understands importance of cleaning up after oneself.
  • Will return borrowed tools to original location.
  • Understands anything left outside of your paid monthly or overnight storage may be removed and disposed.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Knows whether synthetic materials may be worn during use.
  • Knows whether long sleeves can be worn beyond elbows during operation of equipment.
  • Knows whether loose clothing & hair may be worn down.
  • Knows whether open-toed shoes may be worn.
  • Knows whether safety glasses and hearing protection are required during operation.
  • Knows whether safety glasses are required when near someone else operating equipment in the workshop.
  • Knows whether additional PPE is required (e.g. apron, face shield…)

Area Specific Instruction

Identify & mitigate common hazards

  • Sharp things - cutting tools, chips, burrs on work piece
  • Tangling hazard - no loose articles on the body, sleeves, gloves, or hand decorations (e.g. bracelets/rings)
  • Heat - cut & ground metal gets hot and can cause burns, start fires (use of water coolant)
  • Sound - hearing protection for louder operations
  • Pinching/crushing and projectile hazard if metal is not properly held (especially with the chop saw)
  • Brake at Disc Grinder for spin-down

Allowable Materials

  • Can name 3 materials allowed on a particular tool
  • Can name at least 2 materials not allowed on the tools
  • Safe Setup/Operation/Cleanup

Chop Saw

Point out the following tool features

  • Maintenance tag
  • Power switch
  • Clamping blocks
  • Clamp angle adjust lever
  • Clamp wheel
  • Clamping guide poster

Safe Setup/Operation/Cleanup

  • Demonstrate proper stock clamping and positioning of the blade for a straight cut
  • Demonstrate performing a straight cut
  • Demonstrate proper clamping of stock material for an angled cut
  • Demonstrate performing an angled cut

Knowledge and Technique

  • Can describe proper workholding technique to prevent metal from getting caught and thrown
  • Acknowledges the risk of serious injury by deviating from the recommendations in the clamping guide poster.

Drill Press

Point out the following tool features

  • Maintenance tag
  • Power switch
  • Feed handle
  • Depth stop adjust
  • Table lock
  • Table vertical adjust crank
  • Motor tension locks & lever
  • Speed change belts
  • Speed settings chart & diagram

Safe Setup/Operation/Cleanup

  • Demonstrate setting the speed and loading a drill bit
  • Demonstrate proper material workholding and table adjustment
  • Demonstrate drilling a hole in the stock material

Knowledge and Technique

  • Can demonstrate proper speed selection based on the material and bit diameter
  • Can demonstrate safe positioning of long metal stock to prevent physical injury
  • Knows when to apply cutting fluid and what are the signs of a dull bit

Bandsaw

Point out the following tool features

  • Maintenance tag
  • Power switch
  • Belt cutter & welding system (bonus points)
  • Work light
  • Belt tension adjust
  • Blade height lock wheel
  • Speed change lever

Safe Setup/Operation/Cleanup

  • Demonstrate setting the blade height and proper stock holding
  • Demonstrate changing the blade speed
  • Demonstrate cutting a piece of stock

Knowledge and Technique

  • Knows how to keep the blade on center and prevent unnecessary torquing/binding

Pedestal Grinders

Point out the following tool features

  • Maintenance tags
  • Allowed material labels
  • Ventilation system & dust gates
  • Power switches
  • Safety shields (& locking thumbscrews)
  • Dust collector on/off switch

Safe Setup/Operation/Cleanup

  • Demonstrate operation of the dust gates and dust collector
  • Demonstrate running a grinder and grinding stock
  • Demonstrate running the wire wheel and brushing stock
  • Demonstrate attending the grinder for the full spin down process

Knowledge and Technique

  • Can show proper selection of pedestal grinder based on the material (aluminum vs steel)
  • Can show proper holding technique
  • Can demonstrate proper initial checking of tongue guard (within 1/4“ of disk periphery) and toolrest (within 1/8” of disk periphery)

Disk Grinder

Point out the following tool features

  • Maintenance tag
  • Power switch
  • Table angle adjust clamp & pulley
  • Dust gate
  • rotation direction indicator
  • spin-down brake lever

Safe Setup/Operation/Cleanup

  • Demonstrate adjustment of the bed angle
  • Demonstrate running of the grinder and grinding stock
  • Demonstrate stopping the grinder and using the brake to halt movement

Knowledge and Technique

  • Knows the correct orientation and positioning of a metal part to ensure it stays under control and doesn't damage the abrasive disk.
tools/general_metals/clearance.txt · Last modified: 2024/02/07 23:31 by smartin015