Machinery Fundamentals: Wood Shop Ergonomics

Learn how to set up and safely operate the most commonly-touched machines in a wood shop. In these hands-on tutorials, we will cover not only usage fundamentals, but focus on establishing an ergonomic rhythm for your body while engaging with them. This will allow for more efficiency in your material use & physical movements, as well as set you up for greater comfort, safety & longevity as you work.

In each session, we will be working with scrap material, with the goal of honing your physical skills. These are not project-based workshops. That said, if you have signed up for multiple sessions, you may choose to create a cutting board with material from an earlier session (not during class); in this case, additional light instruction will be provided.

This methodical approach will break down each process in a way that is both accessible to those who are new to these machines, and useful to others who are looking to brush up their skills. Besides general machinery how-to’s, see below for specifics we will cover in each session. Any and all questions are greatly encouraged, especially the ones we’ve been taught to think we should already know the answer to.

Class limited to four participants, ages 18+

• Milling procedure overview, incl stickering & clamping in between sessions
• Identify lumber’s cup & bow; correctly place lumber on jointer, check for square
• Identify & correct for tearout; mark for square & grain direction
• Gradual planning to minimize tearout; correct for warping

• Identify appropriate blade height, teeth & tension for the material
• Select & swap blades for appropriate use; hardwood vs plywood
• Rip fence & offcut best practices; accounting for blade thickness
• Crosscut sled use & quick-clamp stop blocks
• Cutting curves, relief cuts, accounting for blade thickness
• Miters, check square, template use with angles, table bed adjustment

• Part A or B – $325 member / $385 non-member
• Parts A and B – $600 member / $720 non-member
• $45 materials fee

Through both their small business Two Tree Studios, and education initiative The Level Up Project, allison eve samuels pursues slow, responsive design. Their practice of "sustainable design" translates beyond material sourcing & waste management, and into a larger working ethos. 

samuels' eye for minimalism, strong craftsmanship and appreciation for the natural world is felt throughout their wooden furniture, vessels & sculpture. From their production practices, to centering knowledge-sharing & redistribution, Samuels strives to keep their footprint light, while contributing to a more equitable future within their industry.

Host or Publisher Makerspace NYC