Power saws can save a lot of time and work, but they’re one of the most common causes of injuries among do-it-yourselfers.
If you don’t saw often, lack of familiarity can make you nervous and you might be unfamiliar with the characteristics of the tool you’re using. If you use your saw a lot, it’s easy to become too comfortable with it, and not concentrate enough.
Here are some tips to keep your sawing speedy but safe.
Always work from a balanced stance. Make sure you’re comfortable and not twisting your body unnaturally.
Wear safety glasses. It can take a split second for a splinter thrown by a fast-moving blade to damage your eye.
Make sure the wood you’re cutting is positioned securely, and won’t move unexpectedly while you’re cutting.
Determine what will happen when you’re finished sawing through. Will the blade bind in the wood as the two pieces fold toward each other. Will the falling piece land safely, or throw off the balance of the piece you’re holding.
Check for obstructions in the wood, such as old nails or knotholes which may cause problems.
Make sure there’s nothing underneath the wood you don’t want to cut. In particular, keep electrical wires clear of the work area.
Position your workpiece and the saw so you’re making a smooth, natural cut, without overbalancing or losing control of the tool or wood. Don’t try and cut in awkward positions overhead with a circular saw; use a reciprocating saw instead.
Determine where you’re going to set the saw after you cut, so you can free up your hands quickly.
More tips next time.