The GRR-Ripper is an ingenius safety device from the folks at MicroJig. Most power tools can injure you in two primary ways: kickback or blade/bit contact. The GRR-Ripper protects you from both types of injury. It not only allows you to have better control of the workpiece, it also protects your hands should disaster strike. In addition, the GRR-Ripper makes it possible to perform cuts that would otherwise be extremely dangerous, such as cutting odd shapes and thin strips.

To learn more about the GRR-Ripper, head to MicroJig.com or MicroJig’s YouTube Page.

The Giveaway

MicroJig was kind enough to offer up three GRR-Rippers as a random giveaway! All you have to do is leave a meaningful comment on any one of this week’s safety-related posts. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. But if you just say something silly, that won’t count. Winners will be announced on Friday May 6th. Giveaway is limited to US and CANADA only.

Products Shown in the Video

Micro Jig GRR-Ripper Basic 3D Push Block System (GR-100) The Micro Jig GRR-Ripper™ lets you feed both sides of a workpiece parallel through the saw blade and eliminates bare hand feeding. Micro Jig GRR-Ripper Basic 3D Push Block System (GR-100)

Micro Jig Splitter Steel Pro System, 1/8” Kerf Make table saw rips safer and prevent kickback! Made to handle professional use, even with heavy panels and dense solid wood. Micro Jig Splitter Steel Pro System, 1/8” Kerf

Micro Jig ZeroPlay™ Guide Bar System Each guide bar is composed of two interlocking plastic bars that adjust laterally to the exact width of your miter slot to stabilize your jigs. Guide bars are easily calibrated from the top of jig. Micro Jig ZeroPlay™ Guide Bar System

Pierre sent me this video and i thought I would share it with you. After a long day in the shop, despite using dust collection and a respirator, tiny dust particles can invade your nasal cavity. So Pierre likes to rinse using a technique called nasal irrigation. Flushing out the nasal passageway removes dust particles so you can breathe easy all day long.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once. Even so, you should do some research on this technique and perhaps consult your doctor on the frequency and products you use.

Last week I asked you folks for your favorite quick safety tips and you were kind enough to respond with some fun and insightful tricks of the trade. So I took a few of my favorites and bundled them up in this 50′s style educational video. I hope you enjoy!

Special thanks to Jeremy Kriewwaldt, Tom Obrien, Bearwood, Ted Ames, Mark Loughran, Benjamin Roesler, and Don Hall.

Looking for the finger wrap shown in the video?

Flexx-Rap® Finger Protection Wrap Flexible wrap helps protect fingers from burns and blisters, plus improves grip. Simply wrap tape around any finger for extra protection. Flexx-Rap® Finger Protection Wrap

This video is an accompaniment to an article I wrote for the June 2009 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine. The video focuses on featherboards and push sticks, and the article covers a broader selection of safety issues. Download the PDF of the article for free!

And if you want to be the coolest woodworker in town, you’ll pick up one of our special Wood Whisperer-designed push sticks! Hands down the most comfortable push stick around!

I received a number of great questions for Safety Week and this video covers three of them. The first question concerns running small pieces over the tablesaw and router. The second question is about the proper installation and safe use of a dado blade. The final question concerns the disposal of chemicals and hazardous waste in the shop. An important link I mention in the video is Earth911.com, where you can find your local hazardous waste recycling and disposal centers.

This is definitely more of a conversational episode so you’ve been warned. :) Below is a link to the GRR-Ripper push block.

The most common topic request for Safety Week was dust and respirators. So here’s a quick review of the dust and fumes that can make our lives miserable in the shop, and why we need respirators for pro-active protection. And below you will find a links to the exact respirator setup I like to use: the 3m 7500 Series.

The link below is for large, but you can select a different size here: Small, Medium, Large. And don’t forget the upgraded pink filters and the special adapter.

Some general miter saw safety tips including clamping and operation tips. The Festool Kapex makes its first appearance in our show as well. And finally, some outtakes.

The tablesaw is an essential piece of shop machinery, but it can also be dangerous. Learn how keep your fingers safe and avoid kickback with tips from Fine Woodworking magazine editor Asa Christiana. For more woodworking tips and techniques, visit FineWoodworking.com.

In the years since I started woodworking, I have only had a few close calls. Fortunately, most of my injuries have been minor. Most of those injuries took place early in my career before I knew anything about anything. This video will show you some of the stupid mistakes I’ve made, what happened to me, and how I avoid repeating those mistakes.

Woodworking machines cough up fine dust that is harmful to your lungs. It’s essential to develop a game-plan for dust control. Fine Woodworking magazine editor Asa Christiana shares simple strategies for taming dust and shows off the solution he’s arranged in his home shop. For more woodworking tips and techniques, visit FineWoodworking.com.