Reciprocating Saw Introduction

From CoMakingSpace Wiki

This is the content required for an introduction to our reciprocating saw and jigsaws - reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make it a lot quicker though ;-)

If you need this introduction, please reach out to the following tutors: Lukas, Patrick, Johannes, Luzian, Sebastian, Utis, Philip

Let's begin! First off, make sure you have read the corresponding tool's manual:

Safety

Personal protection: Protection - goggles.svgProtection - hearing.svg

Additional protection for toxic or allergenic woods (especially hardwoods, e.g. beech and oak - see "dust") or for certain surface finishes or chemicals: Protection - breathing.svg

Dangers Precautions
sharp oscillating blade - possible kickback
  • you MUST NOT turn on the saw when the blade is already touching something (e.g. the workpiece)
  • you MUST let the baseplate touch the workpiece before starting to cut
  • blind cut: leave the sawblade in the cut until it has stopped
  • through cut: make sure the blade has stopped moving before putting the saw back on the table
  • you MUST make sure the blade path is free and you won't cut into the table or similar
  • you MUST make sure the blade is long enough so that it can reach through the material when fully retracted (too short a blade relative to the material being cut will cause dangerous kickback)
  • you MUST make sure there are no obstacles such as nails in your path before starting a cut
  • you MUST secure the workpiece with clamps so nothing shifts and nothing large falls down once the cut is made
generates dust and small chips
  • you MUST wear goggles
  • you SHOULD hook up the shop vac (and deactivate the "dust blow" function of the saw, if available)
  • if your workpiece is contaminated with chemicals or made from hard woods like beech (Buche) or oak (Eiche), you SHOULD use a dust mask
generates noise

the blade can get very hot

  • remains hot for a while after using
when you see smoke, immediately stop and inspect the saw - the blade might be dull or jammed in the workpiece. Also do not stay in the same place for too long!
Danger - sudden start.svg
no prevention of turning on after loss & restoration of power (keine Anlaufsicherung)
  • you MUST make sure the locking button is "off" before plugging the saw in (the trigger should move freely)

Demonstration

During the introduction, the tutor will show you the following:

  • inserting/removing saw blades
  • choosing and changing the pendulum or orbital action settings (Bosch PFZ 700 PE: chapter 7 in the manual)

Besides these safety notes, you should know which type of blade is suitable for the material you want to cut!