PAMPHLET ON SAFE USE OF TOOLS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29500, 29 April 1961, Page 13

PAMPHLET ON SAFE USE OF TOOLS

Hints on the use of tools are given in a new pamphlet issued by the National Safety Association of New Zealand. ‘•Don’t be a one-trip Charlie.” advises the first page of the pamphlet. The point of the advice is given in the accompanying picture, which shows a man laden with a saw. an axe, a spade, a mallet, a crowbar, and two or three other odds and ends.

Sharpening tools is the next subject. ‘When sharpening tools with a file or stone, always make strokes away from the edge of the tool.” the pamphlet says "Dirty oil stones may cause the tool to slip, and result in eut fingers. Clean the stone by placing in a pan and heating: wipe the stone dry and clean while it is hot. "Always turn a grinding wheel so that it revolves away from the body. Wear goggles, and be sure guards are in place when using an emery wheel. "Hammers should be kept clean and free from oil. which might cause the handle to slip or the face to glance from an object being struck." the association advises. "Make] sure the head is wedged securely, and that the head and handle are not chipped or broken. “Reduce the strain on the handle when pulling nails bv placing a piece of wood under the hammer to increase leverage. Do not use a hammer on steel harder than the face itself. Grasp the handle firmly near the end. and keep your eye on the point to be struck "Always take time to get the correct tools for the job. “Apply the pressure on a pointed tool away from the body. Bandies “When fitting handles.” says the pamphlet, “the handle should be pushed into the eye only a little at a time, rasping away only enough between fittings to allow the handle to be driven a little further until it fits snugly. Then drive a dry. rough-sawn hardwood wedge half-way into the middle of the fitted handle, remembering to glue the wedge before driving it. With a knife, cut the wedge partly through cm all sides near the top. drive the wedge all the way home and break

should be kept free from oil. cause the handle

it off below the end surface of the handle.

“Never depend on nails or stanles for wedges. “Use wrenches that are the right size and type for the job. Never use a piece of pipe on the handle to get leverage. Keep pipe-wrench jaws clean and sharp. Never use a shim to make the wrong-size wrench fit the job. Always place the wrench on the job so that the pull on the handle tends to force the jaws further into the nut. Pulling a wrench is safer than pushing. Do not weaken a wrench by using it as a hammer.

“If a saw is kept sharp, clean, and properly set it is less likely to cause an accident. Use a cross-cut saw for cutting across the grain and a rip-saw with the grain. Start the cut with two long slow pulls up. guiding with the thumb, then get the hand away and go ahead. Keep the blade true with the cut to prevent sticking. In wet. gummy wood, a little kerosene will help. If you rest on your knee to steady the work, watch your balance.”