Band Saw Safety

Objectives:

I can:

• Recall the safety rules on the bandsaw.
• Identify the different parts of the bandsaw.
• Make the proper preoperative adjustments on the bandsaw.
• Safely operate the bandsaw.

Bandsaw Parts

Table

Guide Post

Blade Tensioning Screw

Guard

Switch

Band Saw Safety

• Remove tie, rings, watch, and other jewelry, and roll up sleeves above the elbows. Remove all loose outer clothing and confine long hair. Protective type footwear should be worn. Do not wear gloves when operating the bandsaw.

• Wear approved safety glasses to protect the eyes.

Band Saw Safety

• Keep the table and floor around the machine clean and free of scrap material, chips, oil, grease, coolant, tools or accessories to minimize the danger of slipping or tripping.

• Keep guards in place at all times. The guide assembly should be from 1/8 to ¼ inch above stock.

Band Saw Safety

• Keep hands away from blade and do not open upper or lower bandsaw doors while blade is in motion.

• Maintain a balanced stance and keep your body under control at all times; do not overreach.

• Make all adjustments with the power off.

Band Saw Safety

• Give the work your undivided attention. Looking around, carrying on a conversation and horseplay are careless acts which can result in serious injury.

• Upon completion of a job, clean the bandsaw and work area. Never clean the machine with the power on and never use hands to clean up chips and sawdust; use a brush.

Band Saw Safety

• Do not allow the hand or fingers to come closer than 2 inches to the blade.

• Use only blades that are in good condition. Blades that are not sharp or have missing teeth can require excessive force and increase the chance of an accident.

Band Saw Operating Procedures

• Be sure material being sawed is free of nails, paint and other obstructions.

• Plan your cuts carefully. Lay out work clearly, use relief cuts, and avoid backouts.

• Do not cut stock until the machine is running at full speed.

• Always place stock flat on the bandsaw table.

Check your knowledge:

Adjust the guide assembly so that it is ______ to ______ of an inch from your material you are cutting.

⅛ / ¼

Your hands should never get closer than ______ inches to the blade.

2

Avoid _________ ___________ of cuts with the bandsaw on.

backing out

Band Saw Operating Procedures

• Do not force the stock into the blade at a rate faster than it can be readily cut.

• If sawing freehand, use one hand to guide the stock into the blade and the other hand to push the stock into the blade. DO NOT PUSH STOCK WITH HANDS IN LINE WITH THE BLADE.

• Do not place excess stress on the blade by twisting the stock, cut curves gradually.

Band Saw Operating Procedures

• If a problem develops and the blade has to be backed out, shut off the machine and wait until the blade has stopped.

• If the blade breaks, shut off the power and move away from the machine. Never try to free a blade while the wheels are turning.

Band Saw Operating Procedures

• An indication of a cracked blade is a rhythmic click as the cracked portion of the blade passes through the wood.

• Cylindrical stock should be mounted in a holding device (v-block) to keep it from spinning and crowding the blade while being cut.

• Make sure the band saw has stopped before leaving it.

Check Your Knowledge!

If a problem develops and the blade has to be backed out….

Shut off the machine and wait until the blade has stopped.

Do not push the stock with your hands _______ _______ with the blade.

In line

Cut curves ________________

gradually