We all hear little warnings that tell us not to do something in a certain way because it’s dangerous. And, whenever I’ve failed to listen, I usually regret it. So after 60+ years I’ve learned to pay attention when that “little voice” speaks (or, sometimes yells).
When I was trying to cut out the numerous pieces for a large project I’m working on as “thank you” gifts for the officers and members of the board at my gun club, the “little voice” reminded me that one of the procedures I had used to build the proto-types gave me the “willys” [thank you my LJ friend “bluekingfisher” ( http://lumberjocks.com/bluekingfisher ) for reminding me of this politely descriptive word]. Although it’s easy to cut angles in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees on the table saw, it becomes more of a challenge to cut angles in the 0 degree to 45 degree range. I needed one piece in the project cut at 25 degrees on one end.
Therefore, last weekend when the “little voice” warned me that it was not only foolish, but dangerous to tempt fate again with my first approach, the voice also said build a jig and make sure it has a safety shield below your hand that passes over the blade, just in case your hand should slip off the handle. I didn’t argue that my hand wasn’t going to slip off the handle. Instead, I decided I liked the psychological “safety net” of such a safety shield.
This jig works great. The piece being cut is held very rigid and stable for the pass through the saw blade. My hands are well above the blade and the psychological safety shield is in place. The peace of mind in not having that “little voice” talk to (or, yell at) me is well worth the effort and time required to design, construct and finish this jig.
Now back to safely finishing those “thank you” gifts.
As always, comments (good, bad, critical or whatever) are greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking