Band Saw Safety and Operation

Rules and guidelines listed on this page are only reminders. Persons must read lab safety manual, machine manual, and be trained by WRL Manager.

Safety Glasses

Safety Rules

  • Safety glasses are required.
  • Never clear small pieces while blade is moving.
  • Never adjust saw or setup while saw is running.
  • Never cross arms.
  • Always follow 4 inch rule.
  • Never push on back of piece with fingers or thumb.
  • Don’t reach across the blade.
  • Make all cuts under power, not while blade is coasting.
  • Never remove guard unless authorized by Technician or WRL Manager.
  • Setups requiring anything other than the standard band saw equipment must be approved by supervisor.
  • Resawing must be approved by supervisor.
  • Never back out of a curved cut. If blade is pinched bring saw to a complete stop and back out of the cut.
  • If blade breaks stand clear and stop saw.
  • Blade changes must be authorized by Technician or WRL Manager.
  • Don’t cut short stock that is not flat. Cutting round stock must be approved by supervisor.
  • Never run materials containing nails, screws or other metallic objects.
  • If machine is malfunctioning stop immediately and report to supervisor.

 

Operation

  • Put on your safety glasses.
  • Plan cuts. For long curves allow your self to exit piece in a forward direction when necessary. For small radius cuts bore a turning hole.
  • Make sure blade is tight.
  • Adjust guard about ¼” above work piece.
  • Open blast gate and turn dust collection on.
  • Turn saw on.
  • Wait for blade to reach full speed.
  • Hold stock firmly against table.
  • Feed stock at a rate appropriate for the cut. Cutting too slow will put excessive wear on the blade. Cutting too fast will damage motor and may cause injury. Cut only as fast as the blade can properly remove material.
  • Use a push stick for cut that would bring your hands close to blade (with in 4” of blade).
  • While cutting keep fingers and hands from passing through the plane in which the saw blade is. When moving hands, pick them up and bring them into you first. Never slide or swing arms around saw.
  • If it is necessary to remove scrap away from the blade bring it to a complete stop and use a stick or brush to remove it. Don’t use your hands.
  • Shut blast gate and turn off dust collection unless you are proceeding to another machine or someone else is using it.
  • Clean up area around saw.
  • Lower guard and tear down all setups made. Setups may be left with approval of supervisor.