Circular Saw Safety Tips

(Page 2 of 3)

April 2, 2009
By Bob Johnston 
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Never cut a board in the middle that is just lying on two sawhorses, it will sag or collapse about two-thirds of the way through the cut and bind the saw, causing kickback. The only time you can safely cut a board using only two sawhorses and no frame table is when you are only cutting off a short end. Even when using a frame table, make sure the boards don’t bow downward — your saw is likely to bind and kick back.

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Never use a circular saw to notch or cut out a stud that is in a framed wall. The saw will buck. Use a reciprocating saw for this procedure.

Always have a safe place to put your saw. Never set it down on the blade guard or drop it on the ground. Always lay a saw on the side the blade is on (not blade up).

Don't stand on the cord. When you run out of cord, the saw could kick back and cut you.

All of the area where you are using a saw should be clean, leaving nothing that could cause you to trip and fall while carrying or using a circular saw.

Adjusting the Saw

Now we are ready to make a cut, but first set the blade depth of the saw blade to the thickness of the board to be cut plus one-eighth inch. (See Image Gallery.)

Place the nose (front) of the saw base on the board to be cut, with the blade about one-quarter-inch from the board, align the blade with the mark as straight as you can, slide your speed square up to the side of the base and grasp it with your hand to secure it to the board. The side of the saw base and the speed square should be exactly parallel.

Make the Cut

Start the motor and slowly push the saw forward until it just touches the board. If you are a little off the mark, back the saw up one-eighth inch (while it is still running) and the vibration of the saw will let you go to the left or right to line up the blade with the mark.

Push the saw slowly through the board and let the saw do its job. Do not crowd the saw (push it too fast). You will feel when the saw has cut through the board, because they will both move, only slightly, but you will see and feel them separate.

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