Pantorouter Clearance

Features

Member must point out the following tool features:

• Table, miter gauge and angle adjust
• Template holder (T-slot) and height adjust / locks
• Guide bearing holder and lock
• Depth adjust lever and depth stops (2x)
• Router (and power switch, collet, speed adjust wheel)
• Accessories cart (templates, guide bearings, bits, locking clamps)
  
• Shop vac

Common Hazards

Member must identify these common hazards, and demonstrate they know how to avoid them:

• Entanglement due to lack of observance of personal safety (long hair, long sleeves, bracelets, rings etc)
• Finger contact with the cutting bit
• Flying splinters and other debris
• Ejection of the router bit and/or workpiece due to improper installation and workholding
• Sawdust inhalation - respirator/mask required
• Noise - hearing protection required
• Machine damage - router bit collision with table and/or clamps
• Sudden movement of the table - wheels must be locked
• Pinch hazard - in the linkage / slide

Materials

Member must demonstrate knowledge of which materials are allowed and which materials are prohibited. Member knows where to look for the complete list of allowed and prohibited materials.

• Wood is permitted
• No lead-painted materials are allowed due to toxic dust.
• Reclaimed materials must be checked thoroughly for nails and other metal inclusions
• Metals are prohibited (spark / ignition risk)
• All glue and resin must be fully cured (causes damage to table & bits)

Usage

Member demonstrates how to safely set up, use, and clean up after use, including:

• Checking all of the lock levers to ensure they're tight
• Selecting and installing a template and guide bearing
• Adjusting the angle, miter, and position of the workpiece and clamping it
• Setting the depth of the cut (aligning the wood/table while the router is at its depth limit)
• Connecting/disconnecting a vacuum to the dust port
• Starting the router, waiting for speed, adjusting the RPMs, and initiating a cut
• Identifying the correct direction to travel when routing (always conventional, avoid climb)
• Sweeping and vaccuming machine surfaces and the surrounding area
• Trashing unusable material and scrapping usable material
• Putting away all accessories in the cart after use
  
• Locking the machine at max depth (farthest from table) after use

Knowledge and Technique

The member must be able to demonstrate:

• Keeping a firm grip on the handle while the tool is running
• Not over-tightening templates (strips out the threads) 
• Keeping fingers out of the table angle guide while adjusting (pinch hazard)
• Transitioning between interior and exterior use of the template (retracting and placing the guide bearing)
• Making several passes into the wood rather than trying to cut the full depth in one go
• Commitment to always unplug the router before adjusting/removing/replacing the router bit
• Keen awareness of the presence and running state of the router bit at all times
• Being aware of where other people are
• Knowledge of issues that cause kickback and tearout of the workpiece
• Identifying and fixing drift in cutting bit during use
• Commitment to always use a vacuum while operating the router (dust mitigation)
• Commitment to wait for the router to spin down before walking away, always ensure it's fully stopped
• Commitment to not create/install custom templates without advanced instruction
• Whenever possible, setting the router bit max depth so it's not over the top surface of the table