Many amateur home carpenters, woodworkers and handymen are apprehensive about using a panel saw. They’re worried about the risk of injury. This is unfortunate. Used properly, a panel saws can be one of the most important tools in anyone’s home workshop. And though the machines may look intimidating, they are actually quite safe when used properly. Here then, are some tips for using one safely. Hopefully, they will inspire you to add this versatile and powerful tool to your own workshop.
The first rule of panel saw safety is a simple one: Never alter the safety features of your saw. Many home woodworkers, unfortunately, remove their panel saw’s blade guard. This can be a potentially deadly mistake. The blade guard is in place to help keep your hands away from the spinning blade. They also equipped with safety devices called pawls. These hold a board in place and keep it from kicking back at you. This, in fact, is one of the most common causes of injury when a saw is either not set up properly or has its safety features removed.
Many panel saws today come with a switch that users pull out to turn on their saw. Some even let you mount this switch in a location of your choice. If you have this option, mount the switch in a location where you can easily turn the saw off by bumping the switch with your leg. This way, you can shut it off even if you are unable to remove your hands from whatever you are working on. Many saws also come with a special key. When this key is removed from the panel saw, it cannot be turned on. This is an important safety feature for people with young children in the house. As long as the key has been removed, young children will be unable to turn it on. Just make sure that you store this key out of your children’s reach.
When it’s time to get that project started, you might want to practice some easy cuts on lightweight pieces of wood. This will allow you to get used to how your new panel saw operates. This is the best way to avoid future accidents. Once you’re comfortable and you’ve practiced making a few simple cuts, you’ll be ready to tackle your biggest home-improvement or woodworking projects. Just remember to store power tools in a room that can be locked. This way, you can prevent your young children from gaining access to your panel saw when you’re not around.