1. Power tools come with lots of instructions, take time to read through them so you understand the real dangers associated with the particular tool.

2. Your eyes and ears are irreplaceable, protect them with safety glasses and ear protectors. There are some very comfortable styles out now so there is no good excuse not to wear them.

3. Unbuttoned coats, loose sleeves, and other loose clothing can get caught in saws and pull you in behind them. Wear clothing that is appropriate for the job you are doing.

4. We hate them but safety guards are there for a reason. If you don't like the ones that came with your equipment then find one that will work with it and provide the same protection. Don't just remove them and think nothing will happen.

5. Nobody likes a messy shop but if you don't keep your shop picked up then there is an accident waiting to happen. Sweep the floors, sawdust is slippery. Pick up tools and keep power cords out of the way.

6. Don't be distracted while you are running power tools. If your mind is preoccupied with other thoughts then it's not a good time to work. Never operate equipment when you've been drinking or using medications that might cause drowsiness.

7. Don't force your work. If something feels like it's binding then stop and fix the problem. Improper feed speeds not only can mess up your project it can really mess up your day.

8. There are lots of things that can cut you in a wood shop. If you are going to be handling sharp tools that might cut you wear non-cut safety gloves. Otherwise keep your fingers out of the way.

9. Make sure you have a solid work surface. Don't balance something that you are working on because you don't have the proper clamps. Make your project secure and then power up your tool.

10. Last but not least teach your kids and grandkids the proper way to use tools. Make sure they understand why it's important to use tools correctly. They need to know that power tools are not toys but things that can hurt you if not used with supervision and proper instruction.

We hope you've enjoyed this project and have good success with it. Remember, if you ever have any problems with our projects just drop us a line and we'll try to help. Since we build every one of these projects we have a pretty good idea of how to get through them. We also make lots of mistakes so we can help avoid them.