11 Bandsaw

Before Using the Bandsaw

  • PPE
    • Use ear protection
    • Use safety glasses
    • Close toe shoes should be worn in all lab areas.
    • Remove all loose outer clothing and confine long hair
  • Do not wear gloves when operating the bandsaw.
  • Keep the table and floor around the machine clean and free of scrap material, chips, oil, grease, coolant, tools or accessories to minimize the danger of slipping or tripping.
  • Keep guards in place at all times. The blade guard should be from 1/8 to ¼ inch above stock. Keep hands away from blade and do not open upper or lower bandsaw doors while blade is in motion. Maintain a balanced stance and keep your body under control at all times; do not overreach.
  • Check blade
    • Use only blades that are in good condition. Blades that are not sharp or have missing teeth can require excessive force and increase the chance of an accident.
    • The teeth on the blade of a properly installed bandsaw should point downward in the direction of blade travel.
    • Check tension and tracking of the blade frequently, make adjustments as needed.Disconnect power and turn wheels by hand to see if the blade is tracking in the middle of the wheel.
  • Be sure material being sawed is free of nails, paint and other obstructions.
  • Plan your cuts carefully. Lay out work clearly, use relief cuts, and avoid backouts.
  • Make all adjustments with the power off. Disconnect the power for any service, maintenance or blade changes on the bandsaw.
  • Give the work your undivided attention. Looking around, carrying on a conversation and horseplay are careless acts which can result in serious injury

General Technique Tips

  1. Do not allow the hand or fingers to come closer than 2 inches to the blade.
  2. Do not cut stock until the machine is running at full speed.
  3. Always place stock flat on the bandsaw table. Cylindrical stock should be mounted in a holding device to keep it from spinning and crowding the blade while being cut.
  4. Do not force the stock into the blade at a rate faster than it can be readily cut. Do not place excess stress on the blade by twisting the stock, cut curves gradually.
  5. Use a push stick or board to push small or irregular sized stock. Small work pieces or angled work pieces should also be secured with a tabletop vise or clamp.
  6. If sawing freehand, use one hand to guide the stock into the blade and the other hand to push the stock into the blade. DO NOT PUSH STOCK WITH HANDS IN LINE WITH THE BLADE.
  7. If a problem develops and the blade has to be backed out, shut off the machine and wait until the
    blade has stopped.
  8. Keep a balanced stance at the band saw.
  9. The blade should be 1/32” from the rear roller bearing behind the blade.
  10. The blade alignment tracking should be at the center of the wheels.
  11. Do not force a wide blade on a cut of small radius. Use relief cuts when cutting sharp curves.
  12. If the blade breaks, shut off the power and move away from the machine.
  13. Never try to free a blade while the wheels are turning.
  14. An indication of a cracked blade is a rhythmic click as the cracked portion of the blade passes through the material.
  15. When finished using the machine, switch off the saw. Wait until the machine comes to a complete stop and reset all guards to a fully closed position. Never stick an object into the blade to stop the machine faster.
    • Let it stop on its own.
  16. Make sure to leave the machine in a safe, clean and tidy state.
  17. Always disconnect the power before changing the blade or performing any other maintenance operation.

 

Additional resource

 

License

Lab Safety, Tools, and Techniques in Prosthetics and Orthotics Copyright © by Sue Spaulding; Amanda Barizo; Susan Kapp; and bryan roehr. All Rights Reserved.

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