How do I get over my FEAR of chop skill saws?

Question

They're powerful, loud and have big teeth. I need to cut wood for floor molding and I'm scared of that piece of equipment. If I could get over this problem the job would be so quick. Any advice and safety tips would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Practice makes purfict, just do it read the instructions,Keep other pepole away while in use , It won,nt take long and you will be a pro, I.ll never forget my first time on a power saw.

Answer 2

Certainly valid answers so far; I'll just add two cents.

Obviously one should have respect for any power tool, and know it's method of operation in the intended purpose. Many things seemingly inert can also cause harm; such as two bare electric wires at a light switch.

Knowing the particular tool; also means knowing the properties and possibilities of anything you use it for/on.

A chop saw should be cleaned after or before each use. More accidents happen because of the segment of the tool BEHIND the blade. In the area where the table swivels; and the blade slot in the table; STUFF gets caught; or deposited, and often kicked out.

The swivel table should be LOCKED for use. The angles; appropriate; the power cord well out of blade range. Wood too long to be supported by the table; should be supported somehow. Any wood too small to hold safely; in a distance where ones hand is away from the blade; should be clamped to the tool. Safety goggles/glasses should be worn; as well as ear plugs over any extended use. One should NOT "Invent" an angle; not strictly appropriate to the saw; with a piece of material. One should not attempt cutting inappropriate material/ and that in part depends on changing blades. Blades should ALWAYS be sharp. Power shut off for any maintenance. The quick stop BRAKE checked regularly.

Those certainly deal more with the mechanics of the tool; but also include THOUGHT by the operator.

Simple; straight cuts can be the best practice; and clamp the stock; allowing that only one hand (That holding the handle/trigger) is near the tool. They aren't strictly specific to right or left hand operation; but KNOW where exactly you want to cut; and proceed; not changing your mind midway through a cut.

Without question; as is the case with most fears; one has to deal with them on a personal level. Knowing the tool; the stock; the actions of that tool; your own skill levels; or reaction times; helps.

Keep a clean; safe work environment should be the first notion; then understand that while that blade can remove fingers; YOU have the option of NOT testing that fact.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

I'm just guessing here, but when you were little, there might have been a time when your mom accidentally did cut herself a little while cutting veggies or whatever. The site may have scared you so much that it was a traumatic event (being so young, thinking it might have killed her, etc.) and it was so hard for you to cope with at the time that you "put it away" in the back of your mind. The fear of knives sounds like a "trigger" of some memory that is probably deep in your subconscious, but every time you see knives you become very scared. I can relate as my biggest fear is knives - had one at my throat when I was 16, among other things happening. I get triggered often when someone makes a knife joke, I see a movie with a sudden knife incident - I have been diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). I had stuffed it for a lot of years, was as if it never happened (I have it written down in my 5 year diary from back then that it did happen), so it only comes up (gets "triggered" and I can actually see and feel the whole thing) when, well, what I wrote above happens. Sorry if this isn't clear - trying to write it without letting it come to the surface.

Answer 4

I agree with the answer on having respect but not fear...just follow good safety procedures and be in control of what you are doing. Work slow and carefully, support the boards well so they are solidly on the saw base when cutting, keep your hands well away from the blade and always be ready to pull your fingers or hands away from the blade. I prefer to have the saw at waist height when doing any cutting so I can observe the cut very carefully. Use a scrap board to hold the wood in place on the saw to keep your hands away from the blade. A tool can't hurt you if you understand how it works and are cautious and concentrating when operating it.

Answer 5

You don't, but you learn how to use them safely, always in control of the tool and always in good posture.
A lot of people that get hurt do it because they use tool in awkward positions, or in ways that they were not intended to be used. Keep your weight on it and both hand on the appropriate places, and keep it from binding with the piece of wood. That causes it to kick back, and it is very dangerous. The way you do this is to support the piece of wood in such a way that it will not pinch the blade as it finishes the cut. Specially with plywood or large size wood.
Follow the safety tips and after a while you use them as second nature, see owners manual.
Good luck

Answer 6

The only way to get over it is to use it. I used to be scared silly of circular saws. Being a single mother on a budget there were times when I had to use on since I didn't have the cash to hire repairs done.

Follow all of the manufacturers safety precautions. Always think twice before starting the saw up and go slowly making planned deliberate movements.

Answer 7

To paraphrase Franklin Roosevelt, you have nothing to fear but fear itself.

1.Read all of the safety precautions in the manual.
2. If not bolted, ensure the saw is secure on its working platform
3. Most if not all ‘chop’ saws have the ability to clamp the work – do so. This means you will need only one hand to operate the saw. Keep your non-working hand behind your back for ‘peace of mind’ so you don’t lose a ‘piece of hand’ when you are cutting.
4. Yes, the noise itself can be intimidating. To dampen/cancel the noise, you will not only want to wear goggles or a face shield but ‘noise ear muffs’ as well:

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rs=553560&field-enc-merchantbin=A2LM8ZC59IT9RX&rh=n%3A553558%7C553560%2Cp_6%3AA2LM8ZC59IT9RX&page=1

Answer 8

take a long 2 x 4 and start cutting small peices till you can see exactly how safe it is. wear hearing protection if the loud noise bothers you and saftey glasses for the dust.
After a 1- 8 ft 2 x 4 you should be ok cutit in 6 in peices.

Answer 9

All good common sense answers.
Have been a woodworker for many years & have a lot of respect for what some tools can do to you.
Use the clamping devices on the saw & to borrow some wisdom from the electrical trade ..".one hand on the trigger & the other one in your pocket".
A little fear can be a good thing.
Best regards.

Answer 10

Take some yellow paint and make a 4" wide strip on the end farthest from the blade, on the upright guide. make sure your hand is on this paint and the other will be on the handle. This insures that you cannot be cut. The noise is something you will need to get used to.