keeping others out of the shop while you are working

[Slik Geek]

And I've already taken a chunk of finger off once (at school, building a rocket) and they don't forbid me to use and x-acto knives, or chisels, so I don't think they are all of the sudden going to not let me use the tools I have purchased (as in they are mine, not theirs.)

Given that information, I have a suggestion. It is critical that you get mom completely on board so that there is a unified front to deal with 'sis. Perhaps this will work.

First, if appropriate, confess to mom that you were short-tempered with your sister when she was talking to you during the cut. Admit (if appropriate) that you should have asked her kindly (as kind as a yell over the sound of a table can be) to hang on until you finished the cut.

Next, set up a cut on the table saw that you can get mom to do (with your guidance). Ask her to perform a cut so that she can see why you are concerned about getting startled or distracted.

Give her a safety chat before the cut. Have her perform the cut, then unplug the saw (demonstrating your excellent safety skills - mention why you are doing that). Then slide that work back into mid-cut position. Put your mom's hands back in place like they were while she was cutting. Then ask her, now that it is quiet: "Given that there is a spinning blade inches away from your hand that is capable of cutting through flesh and bone in an instant, would you want your %%%%% (substitute a relative of hers who can be irritating to her) to walk into the room, startle you or distract you by demanding that you respond immediately?

Just a thought.

[LinuxRandal]

Several thoughts I had.

Consider hooking up a light to your dust collector so that it is on when your dust collector (and tool) is running. Typically a dust collector runs for a few seconds after you shut the tool down, so your hands should be clear.


Otherwise, and NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. Have your father call panicked to your mother, and explain that someone walked in when you were cutting, distracted you, and your at the hospital now (use a pay phone from inside a hospital) to see if anything can be saved. Get off the phone quick and let them stew with worry.

If a non happened example doesn't get the point across, I don't know what will.

[pierhogunn]

real simple fix, get a 2X4, cross cut it at something like a 25* angle, glue on half on the inside of an outside wall, and then place the other half on the opposite side of the wall, then rig up some junk to make it look like the 2X4 was shot out of your table saw. This faux demonstration may just jar your mom into keeping sis at bay while your making saw dust

or at the very least it will be fun rigging it up, and looking sheepish when your "accident" is discovered

[cabinetman]

Alex I wonder if a type of screen door will help you with the little brother solution in the summer, maybe with a bell on it so that you know when the door is opened. What about a doorbell? Maybe when they want you they can ring the bell? Might be a solution for you.

An excellent idea. Along with Uncle Crackers's idea of a "red light" outside the door for when in use. A bell may or not be a startle, or a light bulb inside actuated by the door, might suffice.
.

[rnelson0]

First, how old are your family members that you're referencing, as well as yourself? If your sister is over 13 then you can appeal to her, otherwise, stick with appealing to mother. Same with little brother.

As for the doorbell, hook up a doorbell to a light that is visible from your work area. Something you'll see but that won't be distracting.

There is a possibility that you may just need to limit your time in the shop to certain hours by agreement with your folks. Work in there when your younger siblings are NOT around and your parents should be mature enough to respect your rules. When the kids are around, work in the shop, but no power tools.

Remember, compromise has to work both ways. If you show some ability to adapt and change on your own, it may make it easier for your mother to be understanding of your rules. Instituting shop hours may be that compromise.

[Wood_workur]

First, how old are your family members that you're referencing, as well as yourself? If your sister is over 13 then you can appeal to her, otherwise, stick with appealing to mother. Same with little brother.

As for the doorbell, hook up a doorbell to a light that is visible from your work area. Something you'll see but that won't be distracting.

There is a possibility that you may just need to limit your time in the shop to certain hours by agreement with your folks. Work in there when your younger siblings are NOT around and your parents should be mature enough to respect your rules. When the kids are around, work in the shop, but no power tools.

Remember, compromise has to work both ways. If you show some ability to adapt and change on your own, it may make it easier for your mother to be understanding of your rules. Instituting shop hours may be that compromise.

sister is 16, brother is 11. I think I may just go with the doorbell to light idea.

[windmill]

sister is 16, brother is 11. I think I may just go with the doorbell to light idea.

There's your answer. Anytime _she_ is in a spot where she doesn't want to be disturbed (on phone with friends, in bedroom with friends, in bathroom primping) barge in and start talking to her. If she complains, tell her she is rude.

[rnelson0]

I think I may just go with the doorbell to light idea.

You do realize that you're talking about a teenager and a pre-teen, right? I'd stick with the idea of having shop hours when they're not around. Much safer and less stressful all around.

[Carlos]

Seems like an excessive level of paranoia to me. My family is welcome in the shop and they all have been taught proper safety and even the 9 year old knows how to use most of the tools. This seems like a much more reasonable answer.

If you really want to keep people out but not create a danger, just use a small flip latch attached to the door trim (one of the flimsy little wire types). If someone really needs in it just takes a little push to break it, but will prevent casual entry.

[rnelson0]

If you really want to keep people out but not create a danger, just use a small flip latch attached to the door trim (one of the flimsy little wire types). If someone really needs in it just takes a little push to break it, but will prevent casual entry.

You are probably right about the paranoia, but you did make me think of something. You can easily rig up an electrical stop to the door so that when someone opens it, the power cuts off. It would be aggravating as **** and you'd have to build an override in case you wanted the door open, but it seems like it would resolve the potential issues of an 11 year old (and his friends?) who won't listen, barge in, and may stick their hands in the way of something.

...If you're that paranoid, that is. Seems overkill, but it's possible.

[LinuxRandal]

You are probably right about the paranoia, but you did make me think of something. You can easily rig up an electrical stop to the door so that when someone opens it, the power cuts off. It would be aggravating as **** and you'd have to build an override in case you wanted the door open, but it seems like it would resolve the potential issues of an 11 year old (and his friends?) who won't listen, barge in, and may stick their hands in the way of something.

...If you're that paranoid, that is. Seems overkill, but it's possible.

Unless your saw has a brake, you still have a spinning blade and then the distraction of loss of power.

How about getting a doll or representation of a hand, and running it through the machine, showing them EXACTLY what dismemberment from distraction means.
There ARE a few You Tube videos (I believe the eye one was referenced here) you should make them sit and watch.

[rcp612]

Guess I'm really lucky. LOML waits until power equipment has been shut down, then knocks and waits for me to yell "come in". She has scared the h*** out of me by walking up and starting to talk while I was only measuring/marking a board. She realizes the concentration thing very well and the door knocking idea was hers.

[scmhogg]

When I was in the Army, we hung a red painted wood horseshoe on the door knob when we were doing eyes only secret stuff. [Like playing pinochle ]

Steve

[Wood_workur]

I just got a doorbell and a light socket. I'm going to use the doorbell in the ac line like a light switch.

[chopnhack]

Wood-wurker, is that doorbell rated for AC line voltage? The ones i have usually seen have transformer that converts to DC. Please read and be careful, make sure that its rated for what you want to do.