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1. Safety glasses: These prevent dust, debris, wood shavings, shards from fiberglass, etc from getting into the eyes. Safety glasses are one of the most basic pieces of safety equipment that must be used when working with power tools. 2. Protection for the ears: Power tools can generate a lot of noise, which may sound louder in the cloistered environment of a workshop; in order to minimize damage to the ears, it is advisable to wear earplugs. 3. Knowing the right tools for the job: It is important to know the right tools for the job in order to avoid injury to oneself and damage to the materials. To this end, it is advisable to thoroughly read the instruction manuals provided with the equipment and get familiar with the recommended safety precautions. 4. Correct method of using tools: Tools should not be carried by their cords; tools that are not in use should be disconnected; and while handling a tool connected to a power source, fingers should be kept away from the on/off switch. 5. The right clothes: Long hair should be tied and loose clothing should be avoided. Ideally, clothing that covers the entire body should be worn and heavy gloves should be used in order to avoid sharp implements and splinters from hurting the hands. Masks prevent inhalation of harmful minute particles of the material that is being worked upon. Steel-toed work boots and hard hats can also be worn. 6. Tool inspection: Power tools should not be employed in wet environments and should never be dipped in water; they should be checked periodically for exposed wiring, damaged plugs, and loose plug pins. Nicked cords can be taped but if a cut appears to be deep, a cord should be replaced. Tools that are damaged or those that sound and feel different when used should be checked and repaired. 7. Cleanliness in the work area: This should be maintained because accumulated dust particles in the air can ignite with a spark. Of course, flammable liquids should be kept covered and away from the place where power tools are being used. An uncluttered work area also makes it easy to maneuver the power tool; often distractions caused by a tangled cord can result in an accident. 8. Care with particular tools: Miter saws and table saws should be used with a quick-release clamp and a wood push-through, respectively. Extra care should be taken while using nail guns and power belt sanders. 9. Keep tools in place: Power tools should be returned to their cabinets after use to prevent them from being used by an unauthorized and incapable person. 10. Lighting: It is important to use proper lighting while working with power tools, particularly when working Torque wrench basics Jason Miller If you have a boat trailer or have changed the spare tire on your car, a torque wrench is a required tool and is simple to use . Most people believe that “the tighter the better” is the way to go. Your average person will simply grab an impact wrench and tighten away. This is not the correct way to apply torque to your wheels or other critical fasteners. Too much torque can add stress to a lug nut and cause it to shear off. Also with head bolts, the torque on those bolts determines the amount of clamping force on the gasket. Over tightening those bolts can crush the gasket or distort the metal. The better way to apply the correct amount of foot pounds of torque is to use an accurate torque wrench. There are several different types of torque wrenches available out there. One type is the torque wrench with a dial indicator built into it. The dial indicates how many foot lbs of torque is being applied. Dial types are generally more accurate and easier to read. This model is generally the choice of professional mechanics where accurate measurement is necessary. The dial indicator is more precise and is easier to read. Some are available with a light or buzzer to indicate when a preset torque value is achieved. Another variation is the clicking type torque wrench. These are probably the most popular and readily available. This torque wrench makes a clicking sound when the preset torque is reached. This lets you know to stop applying force to the nut you are fastening and move to the next one. For most uses these type of wrenches work just fine and are rugged and easy to use. For the person who always the latest gadget, there are LED and LCD models available as well. The display shows the precise foot lbs of torque. These can usually switch between SAE and Metric as well. For most garage mechanics and home owners, the clicking type torque wrench is the best choice. Just remember to always check the manufacturer specs for the recommended torque. Next time, you need to tighten the nuts on your boat trailer, put down the impact wrench and grab a torque wrench. http://www.ideamarketers.com/./library/article.cfm?articleid=77216 | ||||||||||||||||||||
