Band Saw Guidelines
The Band Saw is designed for cutting curves, circles, and irregular shapes on small or relatively large pieces of wood, although it can also be used for straight cutting.
The Jig Saw is the hand-held counterpart to the Band Saw. Whereas the Jig Saw is limited by the initial size of wood you work with (i.e., it is very hard to cut on a 4 inch square piece with the Jig Saw), the Band Saw will allow you to start with a larger piece, but the size of the material is limited to throat depth (10-14 typically) inches on the left side of the cutting table
Here is a collection of safety tips and techniques for proper use of the band saw:
- Secure any loose fitting jewelry or clothing, tie back long hair - they can get caught in moving parts
- Adjust blade guard to just above thickness of material, no more than 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch above. Blade guards that are over 1/4 inch above the work (the pinkie rule) will lead to accidents and reduce the accuracy of your cut.
- Keep your hands and fingers several inches from the side of the blade , use the table insert as a visual guide, if your fingers cross over the insert, they are to close.
- Never feed the stock with your hands in line with the saw blade or reach across the blade.
- Do not force the stock into the blade at a rate faster than it can be readily cut
- Do not adjust guard until blade comes to a complete stop
- Do not start saw with wood touching the saw blade
- Never hold the stock ‘above’ the table, the material must remain flat on the table surface at all times.
- Do not start cutting until the blade is moving at full speed
- Get a book on Band Saw Safety to learn more about how to use this tool
- Do not back the material out from the blade while the machine is still running, as this could pull the blade off the wheels
- Do not remove jammed wood while saw is still on. Turn off power and wait until the blade completely stops
- Turn off the machine if you need to step away for a moment
- Use ‘relief cuts’ on tight curves and on mortise cuts to avoid breaking the blade.
- Don’t cut round stock freehand on the band saw. The round stock may roll into the blade causing an accident.
- Turn off the machine if the blade breaks
- Never pull out a broken blade from material while the saw is still on
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As with all tools, whether it is a band saw, a lawn mower or your car, it is best operated defensively. Know the tool, know its capabilities and know yours as well.
Safe sawing!