5 Safety Tips to Follow When Using a Band Saw

Band saws are commonly used to cut wooden or metal workpieces. They feature a long blade with a set of sharp teeth. The blade essentially forms a continuous loop. Other saws typically have a traditional blade in a fixed size, but band saws have a continuous blade. Regardless, they can easily cut through wooden and metal workpieces. If you're planning to use a band saw, though, you should follow these five safety tips.

#1) Keep Hands and Fingers at Least 4 Inches Away From the Blade

Placing your fingers too close to the blade of a band saw may result in injury. Like with other saws, you should follow the four-inch rule when using a band saw. The four-inch rule states that saw operators should keep their hands and finger at least four inches away from the blade.

#2) Adjust the Guard

Before using a band saw, you should adjust the guard. The guard is a piece of material that's designed to separate your body from the blade. Most band saws have an adjustable guard. To lower your risk of injury, move the guard as close to the workpiece as possible.

#3) Wear Eye Protection

Don't forget to wear eye protection when using a band saw. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that over 2,000 workers in the United States sustain an eye injury each day. Whether you're using a band saw in the workplace or in your personal garage, you should wear eye protection. Band saws can create debris projectiles. Without eye protection, one of these projectiles may strike your eye while causing serious injury.

#4) Stop Using If the Band Breaks

You should immediately stop using a band saw if the band breaks. The band is the continuous blade. It features sharp teeth that, when exposed to a workpiece, will create clean cuts. While they are typically durable and long-lasting, however, bands can break. If your band saw experiences a broken band, you should stop using it. Continuing to use the band saw may result in either bodily injury or damage to the band saw.

#5) Adjust the Speed During Use

You can speed or slow down the band. Rather than performing speed adjustments when the band saw is off, though, you should perform them when the band saw is running. Doing so will allow you to gradually adjust the band saw's speed. If you perform speed adjustments when the band saw is off, you may discover that it's too fast upon turning it on.