A scroll saw is an electric machine used to cut wood, metal, or other materials. It cuts wood or other materials more precisely than any other wood cutting machine. Its blade is designed to move up and down motion, whereas other machines have a continuous blade loop. Which makes the scroll saw more flexible to use. Before start sawing, there always some safety rules, here we discuss some scroll saw safety rules.
Contents
Risk Assessment
Though scroll saw is a handy tool to use, danger could be just a slip away. Its fine sharp blades could be a matter of disaster. Anyone using a scroll saw must be careful while using it. Before using the saw, you need to know what kind of risk you have to face when operating it.
Scroll Saw Safety Rules
When we use any machines like saws, we need to be cautious about safety. Scroll saw is a sawing machine where the blade is the most dangerous thing to do the damage. There also some other safety rules that need to know before starting work with a scroll saw. Below, we describe some scroll saw safety rules with some major criteria: pre-operational safety rules and operational safety rules.
Pre Operational Safety Rules
Before starting your cutting and craving with the scroll saw, you should set up some safety rules. Always look after the safety side while working with such dangerous machines. Some of the safety measures are discussed below.
Ensure Safe Work Area
Firstly choose a safe area for working. The room should be spacious enough, and there should be no other equipment near your scroll saw, which can create obstacles while working. Eliminate everything that might cause slipping or tripping.
Select & Set Blade
There are various types of blade shapes and sizes. One may choose the best one as per their usage. The blade has to be adjusted with the scroll saw machine accurately. Otherwise, the cutting blade may fall or swing hard and harm the nearby materials or humans when the machine is turned on.
The teeth of the blade should be downwards while attached. Always insert a blade guard for extra safety. The machine should always be in a stable place and level surface for safety.
The blades should always be sharp and not rusty or bent for the best results.
Good Lighting
Always ensure there is good lighting whenever you are working with a scroll saw. Low light can disturb your eyesight and may end up in accidents. Bright lights will help you see lines more clearly and making more cleaner cuts.
Magnifying Glass
To be extra careful while cutting anything with a scroll saw, use a magnifying glass. It will help you see your work more closely. It will assist you in cutting wood or plastic with more accurate shapes and will protect you from cutting or harming your own hands.
Select Material
It would be best if you had to be careful when you choose the cutting materials. It can be wood, leather, plastic, metal, and even bones. When you select the wrong material, it can bring chipping, burning, or even instantly breaking your machine too. In general, you may use wood that is not more than 2 inches thick and softer.
Final Check
After setting up all the pre-operational safeties, you should recheck for any undone work. Because scroll saws are not anything, you should be taking lightly.
Operational Safety Rules
There are some important safety rules you should maintain while using the scroll saw. If you are not careful during the operation, there is no point in setting up the pre-safety measures. Anything can go wrong in a blink of an eye. So it would be best if you were extra cautious when using this tool.
Dust Musk
Always use a dust must while cutting anything with scroll saw. The dust powder can enter your lungs while you are breathing and cause health problems.
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses are one of the essential tools to protect your eyes. So you need to wear safety glasses when you are using a scroll saw. Safety glasses can protect your eyes from dust as well as any broken sharp bits of wood or metal.
Cut Dry Wood
If you don’t want your saw blades to reduce their life expectancy quickly, then you should always use dry wood. Dry wood will also protect your blades from rusting.
Use Eraser
Use a pencil eraser when you are closely working with the machine. You can use an eraser to push work piece for cutting that will help you to keep the distance of your hands and fingers from the sharp blades.
Use V-Card
V card holds the wood and blocks it from rolling up into the blade. It also helps you to keep safe your hand and fingers from the blade. So using a V card is a good idea to use. V cards are generally used to cut rounded woods.
Don’t be in a Hurry
Never be in a hurry while you are working with a scroll saw. You should always look for your safety and be as steady as possible. One slip of hand can do permanent damages to your body parts.
Clamping Down
Most of the people remove the clamp from the machine. Because they think it always seems to be in the way. This clamp actually holds the wood to the table and blocks most of the parts of the table from the blade. So if you want safety, never remove the clamp.
Self-Awareness
You should always ensure safety while working with such a dangerous machine. The scroll saw runs by electricity, and it also has got sharp blades. Though the machine seems harmless, your clumsiness can bring serious damages. You should always read the instructions and abide by the safety rules for the sake of your own sound health.
More Things to Know
There are some more technical things you should consider for your safety.
Like -
- Ensuring the machine is operated using an RCD protected circuit.
- Using a jig to hold a small work-piece. Placing your body to one side of the machine.
- Waiting until the machine fully stops to remove the scraps.
- Firmly holding the wood or plastic and not forcing it to the machine, and more such things.
Our other blog may be helpful for you about scroll saw vs band saw.
Final Word
Using a scroll saw may be fun for someone because you can cut and crave wood or plastic just the way you want and show the world your creativity. Be sure to practice a lot for your designs, and for that, you will surely need plenty of scrap wood. But you should always be careful while using a scroll saw as it can be a dangerous tool if you are not cautious.