Carpentry Techniques: Joining and Clamping

Doweling and Biscuit Jointing

• Biscuit jointing: a tool that joins two pieces of wood together by cutting a slit and inserting a "biscuit"

Clamping

• Clamps are multipurpose tools used to temporarily secure work in place
• Important for accurate work in various industries, including carpentry, welding, metals, woodworking, and furniture manufacturing

Workshop and Site Safety

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) varies based on the task and includes goggles, helmet, earmuffs, mask, gloves, vest or apron, and shoes

Hazards

• Absence of screens or guards at potentially hazardous areas or on equipment
• Broken or mishandled guards
• Insufficient cooling and ventilation
• Inadequate safety signage, out-of-date signage, and damaged signage
• Equipment operated while unsupervised
• Obstructions, such as broken switches or fire escape obstructions
• Desks that are disorganised
• Cables and wires dangling
• Chemicals in unlabelled containers
• Splashes of chemicals
• Inappropriate instruments for the job
• Restricted areas
• Electric burns, shocks, or flames
• Working alone
• Sharps

SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements)

• A written document that describes high-risk construction work, hazards involved, and safety measures to mitigate risks
• Must be prepared prior to the start of high-risk construction work (HRCW)

Dust Extraction

• Systems designed to gather dust at the source and prevent airborne or surface dust

Bench Vice

• A metal contraption to keep materials still when cutting by clamping them in-between
• Safety procedures: keep hands out of vice when clamping
• PPE: none required until cutting begins

Drill Press

• A fixed drill used for cutting precise holes
• Safety procedures: don't cross hands, keep hands clear or drill, be prepared to emergency stop if needed, tie hair back
• PPE: safety glasses, apron

Biscuiter

• A tool that joins two pieces of wood together by cutting a slit and inserting a "biscuit"
• Safety procedures: use clamp to hold wood in place, keep hands clear of blade
• PPE: safety goggles, apron, gloves

Router

• A portable electric spinning blade that trims wood to make turns and edges
• Safety procedures: use clamp to hold wood in place, keep hands clear of blade
• PPE: safety glasses or face shield, hearing protection

Stanley Knife

• A short and sturdy utility blade used for making precise and thorough cuts in paper, cardboard, carpet, etc.
• Safety procedures: keep hands clear or use gloves when using
• PPE: apron, safety glasses

Guillotine (Sheet Metal)

• A machine used to make precise cuts in metal and cut them into desired sizes
• Safety procedures: keep hands clear when cutting metal
• PPE: safety glasses, apron

Quick Release Clamp

• A heavy-duty metal clamp that allows for quick fastening of flat lids and vessels
• Safety procedures: oil regularly, avoid over-tightening
• PPE: safety glasses

Exclusion Zone

• Areas used in the construction industry to keep workers away from high-risk operations
• Pedestrian barriers and statutory signage are used to identify these zones

Faulty Electrical Equipment

• Report faulty electrical equipment to a manager for resolution
• A small piece of paper is tagged around the electrical cord to indicate it has undergone testing
• Every 12 months, power tools need to be marked and tested by a specialist

Resin Work

• Woodworking epoxy is frequently used for wood cutting boards, wooden coasters, wood cabinets, wood countertops, and more
• Epoxy resin can be hardened by adding a liquid resin hardener
• Room temperature can affect the drying time of epoxy resin