SPECIFIC SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
FOR BANDSAWS
Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert and
knowing how your bandsaw works. Read and understand the
following safety rules before operating.
• Adjust the upper guide to just clear workpiece.
• Make sure that the blade is properly adjusted and tensioned
before operating.
• Do not remove small jammed pieces until the blade has
completely stopped.
• Hold workpiece firmly against the table. Do not saw a workpiece
which does not have a flat surface unless it can be supported.
• Turn the machine off if the workpiece is to be backed out of an
uncompleted cut.
BEFORE EACH USE:
Inspect your bandsaw.
• To reduce the risk of injury from accidental starting, turn the
switch off, unplug the bandsaw and remove the switch key
before changing the set-up, removing covers, guards or the
blade.
• Check the alignment of moving parts, binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts, bandsaw stability and any other conditions
that may affect the way the bandsaw works.
• If any part is missing, bent or broken in any way, or if any
electrical parts do not work properly, turn the bandsaw off and
unplug the saw. Replace damaged or missing parts before using
the bandsaw again.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY FROM JAMS, SLIPS,
THROWN PIECES OR BROKEN BLADES.
Inspect your blade.
• Choose the right blade size, style and cutting speed for the
material and the type of cutting you plan to do.
• Make sure the blade teeth point downward, towards the table.
• Make sure the blade guides and thrust bearings are properly
adjusted.
• Make sure the blade tension is properly adjusted.
• To reduce the risk of accidental blade contact, minimize blade
breakage and provide maximum blade support, always adjust
the upper blade guide and blade guard to just clear the
workpiece.
•
Caution:
Never cut metals with this bandsaw, only wood and
wood products.
Use extra caution with large, very small or
awkward workpieces.
• Use extra supports (tables, blocks, etc...) for any workpieces
large enough to tip when not held down to the table top.
• NEVER use another person as a substitute for a table extension,
or as additional support for a workpiece that is longer or wider
than the basic bandsaw table, or to help feed, support or pull the
workpiece.
• When cutting irregularly shaped workpieces, plan your work so it
will not slip and pinch the blade. A piece of molding for example,
must lie flat or be held by a fixture or jig that will not let it twist,
rock or slip while being cut.
• Properly support round material such as dowel rods or tubing.
They have a tendency to roll during a cut, causing the blade to
“bite”. To avoid this, always use a “V” block or clamp the work to
the miter guage.
• Cut only one workpiece at a time.
WHENEVER THE BANDSAW IS RUNNING.
• Before starting your cut, watch the saw while it runs. If it makes
an unfamiliar noise or vibrates a lot, stop immediately. Turn the
saw off and unplug. Do not restart until you have found and
corrected the problem.
Keep children away.
• Keep all visitors at a safe distance from the bandsaw.
• Make sure bystanders are clear of the table and the workpiece.
Don’t force the tool.
• Let the blade reach full speed before cutting.
• It will do the job better and safer at its designed rate.
• Feed the workpiece into the blade only fast enough to let the
blade cut without bogging down or binding.
