Since you’re reading this, that means you’re a craftsman who works with woods to create wonders all the time. But deep inside, you fear the accidents that every person counters while working with a band saw.
No worries, our band saw safety rules gonna make sure that the chances of such catastrophe come to zero. We broke down the rules in several steps so that you can catch it in real quick.
So, before you start on your new project, let’s check out our short yet highly helpful process.
Most Essential & Common Band Saw Safety Tips
Though we can fill up with lots of major and minor tips, we tried to avoid jargon for your better understanding. Initially, there are some safety tips that more or less are accepted throughout the world. They are —
- Always maintain 3-inches distance from your finger to the blade.
- Make sure you check the tension and track the blade whenever you start for a new cutting task.
- While using a saw, confirm a balanced stance.
- Whenever you push the wood, never use your thumb.
- Always use a jig on the bottom while cutting a log or bumpy wood.
1. Accurate Preparation
Since you’re about to use a bandsaw, you should know that it creates a hell of vibration while cutting. To avoid such shaking and jolting, select a firm and stable base, and then place the saw. Plus, set the saw at your expedient height indeed.
Moreover, if you’re using a band saw for the first time, thoroughly read and understand the manual. Thus, you’ll face less hassle while using it.
2. Setup the Upper Guide
Ensure that the top guide remains close to the wood as much as possible. But check whether the guide is not touching wood, because it should stay close, yet mustn’t touch the timber.
However, this close contact makes sure that the blade is not offensively exposed. So, if by any chance your fingers slip toward the blade, there won’t be any chances of touching the blade.
3. Setting the Upper Blade Guard
Set the top blade guard so that the edge is covered completely, thereby protecting your fingers from unfortunate wounds. Otherwise, an uncovered blade bears a high-potential risk of injuries.
4. Band Saw Clean up
To get the satisfactory performance out of a band saw, clean the wood projectiles leftover and dust. As a result, the saw shall be able to function evenly by nullifying the chances of a misfortune.
5. Selecting the Right Blade
If you want the bandsaw to deliver you the with quality cuts, be definite while choosing the blade. Depending on the cut radius, you must select the width of the blade.
That’s because, if you horse a wide blade through a stiff radius, it’ll probably backfire or lead to premature guide wear. Again, if you push a thinner blade through a big cut radius, it’ll break and might cause you injuries.
Besides, an inappropriate blade can certainly damage your materials, whether its wood, metal, or other materials.
6. Use Sharp Blades
As the old proverb goes, “A dull tool is more dangerous than a sharp one”, it’s undoubtedly true. Sadly, many craftsmen use dull blade instead of a sharp one just to save a few dollars. However, they fail to realize that such steps can throw money away in the long run.
However, we strongly suggest you avoid such silliness. Because a dull blade requires more force and pressure, which magnifies the chances of your finger slip, besides, it takes a lot of effort to operate the saw, you, therefore, always use a razor-sharp blade.
7. Maintain Safe Distance
It’s obvious that projectiles and specks of dust shall fly while cutting timber. The odds are that you are gonna get hurt unless you stay at a safe distance.
Plus, pay serious attention that your hands are away from the cutting line. And always use a push stick rather than your hand to push the wood towards the blade.
However, if you don’t possess a push stick, place your hands-on support, then push the wood. Otherwise, accidental slips might give you some serious wounds.
On the contrary, you perform the cutting job in a bit cozy way. Just go behind the board and pull the whatever materials you’re cutting, towards you.
Safety Apparatus
Now you can pick a benchtop bandsaw and start working on your new journey of creating wonders. But lastly, follow up on the safety tools to secure yourself.
- Make a habit of wearing a pair of safety goggles to stay unharmed from the flying projectiles.
- Get yourself earbuds or earmuffs, as the noise level can increase while woodworking. Otherwise, working in such noise can significantly impact on your hearing.
- Don’t wear a loosely fitted dress while working, especially a long-sleeved shirt because they can get caught in the saw blades, which can be very dangerous.
- Try to wear puncture-resistant boots so that your feet remain safe from an accidental drop of timber or tools.
Conclusion
You don’t need to know rocket science to save yourself from disasters while working with a band saw. Above, we have described all the band saw safety rules in the easiest possible ways. You, therefore, try to follow and remember them to have a happy working life.
Because at the end of the day, you need to stay safe and alive to do the woodworking, whether it’s your full-time profession or just DIYs.
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