Equipment SAFETY tips: The Bandsaw

NEVER lose your concentration! In the quick of an eye, that nice slow machine that lulls you into thinking it is your friend and will never hurt you can give you a nasty cut… I have the scars to prove it!

-- Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Great Subject Debbie,
The safety instructions that come with the machines are generic not enough info.

Don’t ever force wood.
It can all of a sudden find a soft spot.
Never use a dull blade.
Like Ellen, I’ve the scars to prove it, lucky to still have 10 digits.

jamie

-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

make sure to put that blade guard thingy down to the height of the wood .. (that’s a technical term, by the way)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Slow down when you get to the end of the cut so as to prevent the wood from lurching forward when it exits. Another technical term “Lurching”. :)

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

Lets not forget to unplug the band saw before changing the blade or belt speed.

-- I don't make mistakes, I have great learning lessons, Greg

Reach around and PULL the wood through the last few inches – that way there’s no chance your digits will contact the front of the blade.

If you’re using a fence to make a straight cut, use a feather board to keep the piece tight up against the fence for best results. One less thing to concentrate on so you can keep your mind on the things everyone else has mentioned.
And when you can, use a push stick to save those finger tips from the “lurch” already brought up.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt!

Be sure to use proper support for longer pieces as they come off of the saw. You need to focus on the cut, not supporting the weight of the workpiece. Also, use push sticks and feather boards to help in guiding the workpiece.

-- Hey, woodworking ain't brain surgery. Just do something and keep trying till you get it. Doc

Inform visitors that when they inter your shop if you are running the bandsaw (or any other machine). Not to speak, yell, or come near till the bandsaw stops.

Safety Glasses are a must

-- Mike The Termite ~~~~~ Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice it.

and to stand at the side

if the blade breaks be VERY careful opening the door as the blade may become a spring ready to attack. (One of our LumberJocks told of this experience)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Learning how to properly ‘fold’ a blade, into threesies, is a skill that is very necessary to learn, especially with 93” or longer blades. For storage, it’s better than hanging them from a nail high on the wall. There are you-Tube videos for this, though nobody does it exactly the way I was taught… and ‘unfolding’ them too is equally dangerous because of the energy stored in them that makes them want to spring out and scratch you right on the face! Here’s a video, but he neglects to mention that the teeth should be pointing away from you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WUiEJEZMTc&feature=related

-- Einstein: "The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." I'm Poopiekat!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZvqtgTCtfM
This is a little safety video I made a year ago after watching the guy do the 3-D reindeer video. It upsets me to see people doing unsafe procedures with power tools, so I did my own video. People have responded that seeing my pore ol’ abused push stick was a good thing, and new to them.
I also have all 10 digits- and no scars from band saw use. I’ve gotten hurt from table saws, power sanders and drill presses- and scared a lot with routers and lathes. Never needing more than a band aid.
Safety is no accident-
Donna

-- "So much wood. . .so little time!" www.woodworks-by-donna.com

and that’s why your book is so good, Donna – you are a great teacher!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

make sure al in alignment and with propper tension
bee sure all is tighten and asambled correct before the first run

take care
Dennis

Edit: use a zerocleance plate

Aw thanks, Ms Debbie- I try my best.

-- "So much wood. . .so little time!" www.woodworks-by-donna.com