I forgot to try filing this before I left tonight. Based on the amount of chips flying around and the motherload of chips apparently up under the cabinet, the dust collection is not working.
Is there a way to yellow tag tools when not in the shop?
I didn’t see an obvious topic in the FAQ, and this was the best I could find in the handbook:
Post about the problem on yo.asmbly.org, describing the issue and relevant circumstances. Tag @workshop to make sure the right people see it quickly.
I went ahead and vacuumed out the base of the jointer, maybe this machine could use better idiot proofing in the form of a sign that clearly explains that the collector on the other side of the room NEEDS be be on during use as it takes very little to clog the base to the point that normal dust collection won’t fix it.
I disagree with your phrasing but understand the sentiment. There’s a super wide range of skills and experience in the shop, and I can easily see how someone could forget to start the dust collection with so many other things in their head.
If the jointer was throwing back chips at the opening of the cutting head, it is probably blocked throughout. Cleaning around it and under the base is not going to unblock it. There is a large area between the cutting head and the output for the hose of the dust collector. That area or “chute” needs to be cleared. Disconnect the hose and use your hand to scoop chips out. You are also going to need a stick about two feet long to unpack the chips that get lodged in the area. Keep scooping chips until no more fall out. Then, turn the machine on for a minute and check again. The dust collector can not unpack that area once it gets clogged. Dust collection is one thing Shane used to keep his eye on constantly and now that he is gone, is going to be a “constant” problem as there is no one to do or direct what is needed in the upkeep of that area.
There are two obstacles to this deeper cleaning for the average member, the first being that you’re booked on a fixed amount of time in Skedda, and the second, sufficient knowledge of each machine to access the innards.
Regarding the first, I usually book two-hour slots in the wood shop, which doesn’t leave time to diagnose tool issues or perform a deep cleaning, so I am curious about Asmbly thoughts on this.
The second and first could both be helped by readily available instructions for debugging or cleaning, and by this I mean affixed to the machine and printed in a large font. “Open cabinet here ->. Remove chips. Check hose.” A few, simple steps that address the majority of likely issues.
Some of y’all have entire encyclopedias of experience and shop manuals in your heads. Is it worth creating mini checklists for the major tools given the absence of a shop supervisor?
I can understand that you put value in your time. The problem was created by exactly that, someone taking deep cuts on boards to finish as quick as possible. The instructions i submitted was just trying to help take care of the root problem. You can easily continue to just clean up the mess you make. The same as i could have easily ignored the post. This is just suggestions of people trying to help. I am not part of the management or the decision making panel at Asembly nor do i have the authority to be posting check lists or anything on the machines. I also do not have access nor the means to produce such a thing other than experience and knowledge. I can understand your frustration and admire that you schedule time to continue your interest and hobbies but remember this medium is just a way for people of different levels (as you put it) to make or receive suggestions to solve a problem or achieve a goal. The absence of a “director” was not created by me or the stewards. If you want to get involved in creating changes, presented to the board or get involved in that group. Again, i can understand that you book your time and want your money’s worth, but the reality is that it is a maker’s space where things are not always perfect and you should take that into account.
I think you took this very differently than intended. First, I consider you one of those encyclopedias. I read most of your responses and usually learn something new. You’re one of the shop experts, and I regularly see you cited or called to respond on a variety of topics.
Second, I am asking these questions in the interest of the shop and community. I am willing to take your exact words on this specific issue and make such a checklist, but I don’t know if that’s allowed or even useful to others. If it is, sign me up, and I will make checklists for all the machines I work with, get them approved, whatever it takes to help.
I feel that Asmbly has a bit of an identity issue, being sort of a hacker space in origin but also marketing to a wider world of people who are implicitly expecting a more commercial operation. I do agree with your points about personal responsibility, but I would like to hear from leadership about how to actually materialize these expectations given the time and knowledge constraints.
What i read is that you’re trying to help yourself and the community. Just dont know how. This is one area Shane was very good at, connecting or directing people to the right place. Addressing your checklist, if you had everybody making check lists for equipment it would come a point where all of them become too many or questionable. Thats why they should be approved and controlled by the “leadership.” Often the leadership is not present on the grounds so they dont understand your plight or the normal people problems about using the shop. Is not that they dont care, is that they dont see it and are busy pursuing other goals. So you have to present it to them or get involved in that group. Sometimes in trying to keep my answers short, I miss or convey a different point of the one im trying to make but in my head seems ok. Hopefully this clears it up and helps you. Is hard for you and others not to have a “go to person” that you can get answers. I really like that you want to take care of the equipment so is available to your needs and others but without that “person” present is almost impossible to get answers quick. I would have gone in and taken the hour to fix the dust collector and blast gates but im not in TX. Hopefully some one else puts 2 & 2 together and makes it work. If the dust collector gets the filter blown and cleaned, the rest of the problems would be a domino effect in fixing.
@mgmoore has been working on the dust collection for the planer and jointer over the past few days. I thought it had been resolved, but maybe not. Here’s the post with more details on what’s been happening.
@lukeg, if you’re interested in volunteering to make some signage, shoot me an email! I manage the volunteer program, and this aligns with a lot of the updates we’re working on for the wiki. You could also add what you’ve learned to the wiki page for that piece of equipment—it would be a huge help!
I encourage everyone to contribute to the wiki when they find answers to questions! It’s a living document and editable by any Asmbly member!
Hopefully this is a new issue, and it hasn’t been spewing chips for two days.
I verified that the gates are working correctly and the flow seems fine now; I can only assume someone did a bunch of jointing without turning the DC on at all. Please stop anyone you see doing this. This is the third time since Saturday I’ve had to stick my arm in the jointer up to my shoulder to clear it out, and I’m rather tired of it.
This seems to me a near daily issue.
I as I said earlier, I did this 2 nights ago.
My guess is still the same as yours that it takes ~5 minutes to fill the jointer without the collection on.
I jointed and planed a few pieces of alder Wednesday morning and the dust collection was working great. Both dust collection bins caught nice clean shavings. I think you’re right that members aren’t turning on the dust collector when using the machines.
That is precisely the system we have for opening and closing gates to specific machines. As I said, I believe the gate to the jointer is working properly. However, there has been some sort of technical problem preventing us from using the system to automatically turn on the main dust collector. We should probably look into solving it.
I don’t believe the dust collector is being left off for all of these clogs. It’s hard to narrow down precisely from video, but I did see 2 clogs caused while the DC was running.
My best guess: The DC is down on suction. Not so much that it shows readily on one machine, but while multiple machines and dust gates are open the low suction would likely present itself first at the jointer and planer. The sawstops are also usually clogged, but not as apparent as someone has to open the cabinet to check.
Even if this isn’t the correct assumption, I’m more than sure its time for the DC filter to come down and be blown out and beaten. When the filter is clean you should be able to hear a slight whistle from the filter when the DC is powered on.
When I arrived at 5:00 am, the jointer bin was full and the jointer was completely plugged up. Whoever was using it had to know there was a problem by the amount of chips being spit out.
