Band Saw Safety Prevent an accident- be safe and smart!

Band Saw Information Band Saws come in many different sizes and styles They are used to cut metals, woods, plastics, and foods

Band Saw Blade Band saw blades are hooked facing downward towards the material you are cutting. By design, band saw blades will hold the material you are cutting on the cutting table.

Band Saw Safety Your fingers needs to be at least 2” from the blade at all times. Never allow your fingers into the red insert, the “Circle of Danger” while the saw is running.

Always wear your safety glasses

On/Off Switch Table Blade Guard Blade Lock Knob

Band Saw Safety You must make “relief cuts” whenever you are making “tight” or small curved cuts. You must adjust the blade guard ¼” above the wood you are cutting. This is known as ‘The Pinky Rule” Wood

Adjust the blade… …guard’s height to 1/4” 1/4” The Pinky Rule

Do NOT put hands… …in line with the blade

Cut curves by… …making relief cuts Step 1

Cut curves by… …making relief cuts Step 2

Never back out of… …long cuts

Feed the wood… …evenly and slowly

Review 1.The band saw does two types of cutting, what are they? Resawing and Irregular Shapes (curves) Resawing and Irregular Shapes (curves) 2.How high should the blade guard be? <1/4”, The Pinky Rule <1/4”, The Pinky Rule

Review 3.Should the band saw be used to cut a small radius? No, the blade may break No, the blade may break 4.Should the blade be backed out of a long cut? Why? No, the blade may break No, the blade may break

Safety Rule #1 Keep all guards in place. Use the yellow lock knob to loosen the Guard and adjust correctly

Safety Rule #2 Adjust the blade guards to within 1/8” to ¼” of the stock. The Pinky Rule Use the yellow lock knob to loosen the Guard

Safety Rule #2 - Continued Blade guards that are over ¼ inch above the work will lead to accidents and reduces the accuracy of your cut. This is UNSAFE!

Safety Rule #3 Maintain the stock flat on the table.

Safety Rule #3 - Continued Never hold the stock ‘above’ the table, the material must remain flat on the table surface at all times. UNSAFE!

Band Saw Safety Never disturb anyone while they are operating the band saw. Always clean up scrap wood when you are done on the band saw. This is a 1 person machine. Observe the Power Tool Safety Area.

Band Saw Safety You must always wear safety glasses. You must never use band saw without instructor permission. If the band saw breaks, shut the machine off in the safest manner. Let the instructor know immediately.

The area directly to the right of the band saw is the danger zone If the blade breaks, it may come out and injure some one Immediately turn the machine off and move away Danger Zone

What could be happening?