Tom Caspar

Bandsaw Safety

Tom Caspar
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Duration:   18  mins

Gruesome, but true; butcher shops use bandsaws to cut steaks. That tells you that a bandsaw, used improperly, can do a lot of damage. We want to make sure you’re taking every safety precaution when you use a bandsaw for your woodworking projects. This video provides you with bandsaw rules of the road that will help you stay safe.

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10 Responses to “Bandsaw Safety”

  1. John J. Roth

    So glad I'm a member of WWGOA. Always so appreciate Tom and his tips.

  2. Enrique

    ☺

  3. john glenn

    Very good tips Tom, wish I had seen this video a couple of years ago. I was cutting a piece of wood with my push hand on top of the board and I hit a soft spot in the board and almost lost my little finger. It is now permentaly crooked as the ER doctor could not repair it correctly or completely. Hard and stupid way to learn a lesson.

  4. Ian

    I possibly would have used push sticks for that finite stuff and definitely would have used the fence in some places - but to each his own.

  5. Roger

    Lotsa good tips Tom

  6. Rick

    Hey Tom I noticed you threw your small scraps on the floor. NO NO, don't do that. I keep a few 5 gallon buckets around in out of the way places, close to the band saw, scroll saw, drill press, work table, etc. Not only does it eliminates trip hazards it helps to persevere my old back from bending over to pick up the pieces.

  7. Mark Walsh

    Thanks , Tom, for the refresher. I have one rule when using my band saw; never bring my fingers within 3" of the blade. I have had blades break and when tension is high the blades can whip pretty well. I practice safety with all tools because I have a thumb which is a constant reminder of how dangerous it is. Many years ago I got momentarily dizzy; but just enough to put my thumb on a saw blade. Luckily I had the blade raised only a 1/4" above the work. Even with skin grafting I still have one spot which has never healed properly and cracks and bleeds regularly. Yes, it is dangerous and can a lifetime of hurt.

  8. Stephen Goossen

    Thank Tom for sharing your video. It's alway nice to have a bandsaw in the workshop. I have one myself. I noticed the loose scrap close to cutting area can be dangerous when the machine is running. It should be cleared before continuing cutting. Small scraps merge into the blade area could cause harmful injuries. Importantly is to shut off the machine, until the blade stop then clear the waste away. Keep up the good work.

  9. gonaes

    Tom Casper, thank you for your tutorial on bandsaw safety. I've learned a lot in the past 18 minutes. I'll be all attention on your next presentation.

  10. tina hoffer

    Thanks, Tom. Good information. I wish you covered the safe way to change the blade and what proper adjustments for tension are depending on the size of the blades

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