Archive for the ‘Power Tools Safety’ Category
A power grinder is one of those power tools that needs to be treated with care and respect. Safety become a major a concern when the air is filled with tiny particles of material created by the grinding action. This can be harmful to your lungs and to others around you if the proper safety steps are taken. This is why a mask is highly recommended for using a power grinder. A grinder should always be operated while wearing some sort of eye protection as well. You never know when a piece of stone or something is going to go shooting across the room.
Something I never forget to do while operating my Makita grinder at home, is wear a pair of work gloves. Grinding on metal has a tendency to shoot sparks around the bench, and sometimes they’ll hit my hands and arms and give me a little sting. Wearing long sleeves paired with work gloves offers my entire arms protection from just about anything the grinder throws off.
When out there cutting it up with your saber saw, it’s extremely important to always wear eye protection, not just for operating a saber saw, but for operating any power tools. It is also very important that you select the appropriate blade for what you are doing.
To load the blade safely, select either a wood or metal cutting blade, then place it in the front of the saber saw where there is usually a twisting mechanism that unlocks the blade mount, then locks it again when released after the blade is in place. After that, adjust the shoe (flat metal surface perpendicular to the saw blade) to the appropriate height.
Now you’re ready to cut. Make sure the saw is firmly held with both hands, then give the trigger a good squeeze. Be sure that whatever you are cutting is supported somehow, because if the object leans during cutting, it could result in splintering. Never touch the blade of a saber saw while it is running or plugged into a live power feed (this includes cordless), or you might wind up losing a couple of digits. This is another good reason to keep all power tools out of the reach of children.
As is the case with most sophisticated machinery, operating a circular saw requires caution and attentiveness. Most mishaps and injuries that occur during its use are the result of negligence and abuse. Power saws deserve your respect and utmost attention. When purchasing a saw, look for a model whose blade is on the opposite side of your dominant hand. For instance, a right-handed person should find a Milwaukee circular saw with a blade on the left.
Serious trouble can occur when the saw operator has to struggle to see the cut line. If a right-handed person is using a saw with a blade on the right-hand side, he has to peer over the top to watch the material as it’s cut. This awkward setup spells trouble as it invites the operator to forget about body positioning. Keep your finger away from the trigger until you’re ready to begin the cut.