Protohaven Wiki

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:

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

Drill Press

• 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

Belt/disk sander

• Maintenance tag
• Power switch
• Sanding belt
• Sanding disk
• Rotation indicators
• Dust gate
• Table angle locks & gauges
• Belt tension/tracking lever
• Belt cleaning eraser

Spindle Sander

• Maintenance tag
• Power switch
• Throat plates
• Spindles
• Spindle washers
• Spindle change thumbscrew

Scroll Saw

• Maintenance tag
• Power switch
• Blade holder/tensioner
• Presser foot
• air assist
• Plate angle adjust knob & gauge

Miter Saw

• Maintenance tag
• Power switch
• Dust gate
• Horizontal slide lock lever
• Blade down locking pin
• Depth stop adjust
• Blade roll adjust pin
• Blade yaw adjust lock
• Hold down clamp
• Keep out zone

Bandsaw

• Maintenance tag
• Dust gate
• Power switch
• Belt cutter & welding system (bonus points)
• Belt tension adjust
• Blade height lock wheels

Dust Collector

• Power switch
• Main collector
• Fine collector/filter

Table Saw(s)

• Maintenance tag
• Dust gates
• Main power switches
• Power switches
• Paddle start/stop switch
• Fence (and locking lever)
• Riving knife
• Blade height adjust wheel
• Blade angle adjust
• Bypass mode turnkey
• Throat plate
• Riving knife lock lever
• Blade change wrenches
• Sleds

• Sharp things - cutting tools, chips, splinters
• Tangling hazard - no loose articles on the body, sleeves, gloves, or hand decorations (e.g. bracelets/rings)
• Heat - hot wood can cause burns, start fires
• Sound - hearing protection for louder operations
• Pinching/crushing and kickback hazard if wood not properly held or fed into the tool

• Can name which tools are acceptable for cutting plastic
• Knows at least 2 materials which are prohibited (hint: any metal, and any composite that could cause a respiratory hazard)

Miter Saw

• Demonstrate proper stock clamping and positioning of the blade for a straight cut
• Demonstrate performing a straight cut
• Demonstrate adjusting both angles of the chopsaw and making a cut
• Demonstrate locking and unlocking the horizontal slide

Drill Press

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

Bandsaw

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

Belt/disk sander

• Demonstrate running the sander and sanding a part on both the belt and the disk
• Demonstrate cleaning the belt and disk with the rubber eraser

Spindle Sander

• Demonstrate changing the spindle diameter
• Demonstrate sanding a piece of stock

Scroll Saw

• Demonstrate loading a blade
• Demonstrate setting the foot
• Demonstrate adjusting the table
• Demonstrate cutting a piece of wood

Dust Collector

• Demonstrate turning the dust collector on and off
• Demonstrate opening, emptying, and properly closing the main dust bin

Table Saw(s)

• Demonstrate loading/changing the blade and switching between the riving knife and the plastic guard
• Demonstrate setting the blade height for a specific piece of stock
• Demonstrate using the fence and push blocks to cut a piece of stock

Miter Saw

• Acknowledges the keep-out zone of the saw must be observed

Drill Press

• Shows good technique when feeding the drill bit into the part
• Knows when the bed should be adjusted to prevent damage to the machine

Bandsaw

• Shows proper cutting technique to prevent the blade from binding/torquing

Belt/disk sander

• Acknowledges that the tables should not be used as a resting spot for material or tools while the sander is running
• Knows how to properly hold and orient stock to prevent binding and kickback

Spindle Sander

• N/A

Scroll Saw

• N/A

Dust Collector

• Knows to check the dust collector during extended operation to prevent buildup

Table Saw(s)

• Knows when to use the sled vs the fence
• Acknowledges that one should never use more than one guiding tool when operating the saw (kickback/binding risk)
• Knows what bypass mode is, the process to enable it, and the increased risk of injury/kickback by operating in this mode