Additional Jointer Safety
Kickback:
Occurs when workpiece is ejected
from machine at a high rate of speed.
Kickback injuries occur from getting struck
by workpiece or hands being pulled into
cutterhead. To reduce the risk of kickback,
only use proper workpieces, safe feeding
techniques, and proper machine setup or
maintenance.
Guard Removal:
Operating jointer without
guards unnecessarily exposes operator to
knives/inserts and other hazardous moving
parts. Except when rabbeting, never operate
jointer or allow it to be connected to power
if any guards are removed. Turn jointer
OFF and disconnect power before clearing
any shavings or sawdust from around
cutterhead. After rabbeting or maintenance
is complete, immediately replace all guards
and ensure they are properly installed/
adjusted before resuming regular operations.
Dull or Damaged Knives/Inserts:
Dull or
damaged knives/inserts increase risk of
kickback and cause poor workpiece finish.
Only use sharp, undamaged knives/inserts.
Outfeed Table Alignment:
Setting outfeed table
too high can cause workpiece to hit table
or get stuck while feeding. Setting outfeed
table too low may cause workpiece to rock
or shift while feeding. Both of these results
will increase risk of kickback. Always keep
outfeed table even with knives/inserts at
highest point during rotation.
Inspecting Stock:
Impact injuries or kickback
may result from using improper workpieces.
Thoroughly inspect and prepare workpiece
before cutting. Verify workpiece is free of
nails, staples, loose knots or other foreign
material. Always joint warped workpieces
with cupped side facing down.
Maximum Cutting Depth:
To reduce risk of
kickback, never cut deeper than
1
⁄
8
" per pass.
Grain Direction:
Jointing against the grain or end
grain can increase risk of kickback. It also
requires more cutting force, which produces
chatter or excessive chip out. Always joint or
surface plane with the grain.
Cutting Limitations:
Cutting workpieces that do
not meet minimum dimension requirements
can result in kickback or accidental contact
with cutterhead. Never perform jointing,
planing, or rabbeting cuts on pieces smaller
than specified in machine data sheet.
Push Blocks:
Push blocks reduce risk of
accidental cutterhead contact with hands.
Always use push blocks when planing
materials less than 3" high or wide. Never
pass your hands directly over cutterhead
without a push block.
Workpiece Support:
Poor workpiece support
or loss of workpiece control while feeding
will increase risk of kickback or accidental
contact with cutterhead. Support workpiece
with fence continuously during operation.
Support long stock with auxiliary tables if
necessary.
Feed Workpiece Properly:
Kickback or accidental
cutterhead contact may result if workpiece
is fed into cutterhead the wrong way. Allow
cutterhead to reach full speed before feeding.
Never start jointer with workpiece touching
cutterhead. Always feed workpiece from
infeed side to outfeed side without stopping
until cut is complete. Never move workpiece
backwards while feeding.
Secure Knives/Inserts:
Loose knives or
improperly set inserts can be thrown from
cutterhead with dangerous force. Always
verify knives/inserts are secure and properly
adjusted before operation. Straight knives
should never project more than
1
⁄
8
" (0.125")
from cutterhead body.
Serious cuts, amputation, entanglement, or death can occur from contact with rotating cutterhead
or other moving components! Flying chips from cutting operations can cause eye injuries or
blindness. Workpieces or inserts/knives thrown by cutterhead (kickback) can strike nearby operator
or bystanders with deadly force. To reduce the risk of serious personal injury from these hazards,
operator and bystanders MUST completely heed the hazards and warnings below.
South Bend Tools
For Machines Mfd. Since 10/20
Model SB1091
-11-
S A F E T Y
