Safer Saws

[BBray_T1296]

Or you can have a self destructing table saw

[protoserge]

Like others have posted, get a purpose-built machine for metalwork with the proper blade. Keep the machine properly maintained and make sure everyone is vigilant about safety and using the proper technique.

[eli2410]

I see no one has suggested the ultra safe SawStop. While it can't cut metal or anything wet, I have told everyone, while giving tours of our shop, that it is "the safest table saw in the world".

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by eli2410

I see no one has suggested the ultra safe SawStop. While it can't cut metal or anything wet, I have told everyone, while giving tours of our shop, that it is "the safest table saw in the world".

I believe the link I posted was a saw using that technology.

[eli2410]

Originally Posted by BBray_T1296

I believe the link I posted was a saw using that technology.

Sorry, I'm at school, and they block youtube here.

[Phyrxes]

Some of our students tripped the sensor on our school's sawstop table saw one year. They were getting ready to rip a 4'x8' sheet of plywood into strips for bumpers. First couple cuts were fine then there was a loud bang and the saw shut off. It took us a moment to figure out what happened, it apparently the piece of plywood from <large chain home improvement store> was still a little too damp and that tripped the sensor.

A new blade and a few days of curing in the shop later we were finally able to cut the rest of our bumper strips..

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by Phyrxes

<large chain home improvement store>

Just say Home Depot*!

*other brands are available

[Brandon Zalinsky]

Eric, Akash, and Jeff all brought up great points. I'd just like to add to their comments. What I think is just as important as the hardware you have- like a miter gauge or sharp blade- is the skill and knowledge of the student using the machine. Make sure they understand how to use whatever push stick/miter gauge that you have. They should also know how to adjust the tension of the blade properly and the height of the guard. My point is that it doesn't help to have just one student who knows how to do these things, and the shop will be a far safer place if everyone using the bandsaw understands how to use it correctly. It doesn't matter if you have the best technology, if you have a clueless fabricator, you'll have a dangerous shop.

[artdutra04]

Another important safety tip for saw, drills, lathes and milling machines: never wear gloves while operating these tools!

If an injury occurs, wearing gloves will make it significantly worse. While a drill bit or saw blade will chop through your flesh easily, it can and will snag on the fibers of gloves and pull your hand further into the blade, thus causing a much worse injury.

[Connerd]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

Another important safety tip for saw, drills, lathes and milling machines: never wear gloves while operating these tools!

Another similar point is to keep Everything out of the saw or drill area. These include neckties (some teams are classy), scarves, long-sleeved or loose clothing, long hair (tie it back!), and for a guy on our team last year, long beards.
If these get caught in the drill, saw, etc., then they will pull your face/arms into the drill, saw, etc., and really hurt you.
Just remember, keep everything away from the actual tool except the item to be cut, and wear those safety goggles!

[yash101]

Originally Posted by Connerd

Another similar point is to keep Everything out of the saw or drill area. These include neckties (some teams are classy), scarves, long-sleeved or loose clothing, long hair (tie it back!), and for a guy on our team last year, long beards.
If these get caught in the drill, saw, etc., then they will pull your face/arms into the drill, saw, etc., and really hurt you.
Just remember, keep everything away from the actual tool except the item to be cut, and wear those safety goggles!

A lot of you might think this is a weird thing to bring up, but, what about rules, in the sense:
If you have any hair of a certain length or greater (e.g. 6 inches head, 1 inch mustache/beard, it must be secured and held back or cut off to use certain tools. Nothing's worse than getting a strand of hair stuck within a drill's air intake!

[yash101]

This kind of cool concept just came to me:
Ground the blade of the saw. Have the student grounded. If there is continuity with the student and the blade, shut down the motor immediately. That can be a lifesaver for someone who falls asleep while cutting something.

Sorry for the caps, below:
THE MOST IMPORTANT:
AS MENTIONED BEFORE, MAKE SURE EVERY STUDENT IS TAUGHT SAFETY COMPLETELY.

In our school, we are required to take safety tests, which makes me think, maybe that is what I should do, if I become team captain, before I will allow someone to use the tools!

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by yash101

That can be a lifesaver for someone who falls asleep while cutting something.

Has this been an issue for you?

[yash101]

That was a bit sarcastic, but some extreme cases commonly happen, especially is someone is distracted!


Also, this also just came to me, a vision tracking program watching the user's eyes, making sure they are continuously looking at what they are machining. Seems like a lot of work, but if someone builds one and gets it into production, it can change the lives of workers around the world!

[Nirvash]

Originally Posted by yash101

This kind of cool concept just came to me:
Ground the blade of the saw. Have the student grounded. If there is continuity with the student and the blade, shut down the motor immediately. That can be a lifesaver for someone who falls asleep while cutting something.

You kinda just described a SawStop, of course it stops the blade a lot faster then 'shutting of the motor'. Which reminds me of this neat video about it.