Chop Saw Introduction

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Revision as of 11:58, 14 March 2020 by Pakue (talk | contribs) (added a part about not cutting metals with a wood-cutting blade)

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

Let's begin! First off, make sure you have read the machine's manual.

Safety

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

(a dust mask could also be necessary depending on your material)

Dangers Precautions
sharp and rotating exposed blade - will keep spinning for a bit after turning the power off!
  • keep your hands well clear of the blade until it has stopped completely
  • check whether your planned movement is possible before turning the saw on - there are screws that may lock it in several places (see "Demonstration")
sawdust and small splinters can fly towards the operator and others
  • hook up a shop vac, but be aware the dust extraction from our "Herkules" saw is very incomplete
  • wear goggles
  • dust mask: depending on the material you're cutting
kickback: workpiece can move during the cut or cause the blade to push itself up
  • clamp your workpiece to the saw's base, if possible
  • always cut from front (closer to the user) to the back of the workpiece when using the articulating arm
  • let the saw start before touching the workpiece
cutting the incorrect material for a saw blade type
  • only cut wood and plastics with the chop saw in the woodworking area
  • wood-cutting saw blades can easily get caught in workpieces made of metal and can cause serious kickback

Demonstration

The tutor will show you these steps in detail:

  • adjusting the bevel
  • adjusting the rotation
  • setting the depth stop
  • releasing the blade guard and starting the saw