Reciprocating saw is a versatile and practical tool for any DIY projects, but don’t let your guard down. It’s a power tool with an exposed blade and no additional blade guard installed for protection, so without any doubt, you will have to be extremely careful while using this saw.
How to safely use a reciprocating saw? You would need to follow proper safety measures; observing the working area and removing every potential threat will ensure a comfortable working experience with a reciprocating saw.
The Reciprocating saw has a knife shape blade attached to the system and follows a pull & push motion to cut. It can effortlessly cut through all sorts of material, whether It’s wood or metal or stone. So, Reciprocating saw safety demands special attention.
7 Reciprocating saw safety rules
Following these reciprocating saw safety tips not only keeps you safe from this sharp cutter but also increases your confidence. Therefore, you will become a professional reciprocating saw operator quickly. Let’s see what I have in store for you.
1. Put on the safety gears
Always wear safety Goggles, safety gloves, earmuffs, construction boots, and dust protection masks. This will protect the most vulnerable area of your body and prevent you from getting hurt.
” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), roughly 20,000 work-related eye injuries occur each year in the United States”. Just wearing safety Goggles can save you from a massive eye injury. Wear a body fitted cloth and if you have long hair, then tie them down.
If you are thinking, I will just cut some branches and a plank; I won’t need any safety gear for such a simple job, then you are absolutely wrong. Putting on those safety gears will take you only a few seconds, but it will help you prevent a lifetime of pain.
Even if you are going to use the saw for a short duration and do a simple task, please keep in mind, you are working with a dangerous blade, your carelessness can create severe damage. It is wise to take a few moments to wear safety gear even for a simple job, then never being able to hold a saw ever. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
2. Don’t touch the blade!
Yes, it’s obvious, and you are not that dumb to touch a blade, but I have seen people being careless and stupid. A saw stopped working suddenly, and my friends were gonna touch the blade to inspect the problem; I was shocked how an experienced worker forgot the basic knowledge about power tools.
If your blade stopped suddenly, then please don’t rush to touch the blade without unplugging the cord. If it’s a cordless portable version, then don’t try to fix it yourself if you don’t have any prior experience with such work.
3. Don’t use a dull blade
Always use a sharp blade; if your saw blade is dull then it will be quite an unpredictable tool to work with. It isn’t gonna give you a clean-cut; it might ruin your work totally. So to get effortless working experience use a sharp blade.
Yes, I know changing blade is not free, but working with a dull blade occurs frequent kickbacks, which is harmful to both you and your expensive reciprocating saw.
4. Use both of your hands
No matter how experienced you are, please don’t hold the saw with one hand no matter how cool it may look. You won’t find the proper balance, and the kickback effect will be too much for you. To get the best control over the saw and effectively cut through any material the dual handgrip must be followed. Don’t try to act cool or show-off with the power saw; it’s a weapon, not a toy.
5. Keeping the work area safe
You should clean your work area and remove all the obstructions on your way. Keep a look at the cord of your saw. There is a high chance of you getting tangled by them. A clean and broad working space gives you flexibility and mobility to get the best outcome. If you are working on a rainy day or the place is wet, be extra careful handling the electrical equipment.
6. Don’t quarrel with your tool
Don’t put excessive force while working with reciprocating saws. It’s a powerful tool designed to do your work effortlessly and effectively. If you think pushing and pulling it with force is gonna help you achieve a better cut, then you’re wrong. Instead of losing your patience with the saw, just take a deep breath or take a short break.
Recheck the procedure you followed and check the blade sharpness. And, there are many practical tutorials on how to use a reciprocating saw properly. Check them out for tips and tricks.
7. Proper maintenance
After every working session, let it cool for a bit, clean the saw with a brush, lubricate the blade, and ensure that you won’t face any unwanted future work difficulties.
Final words
After reading this article, I hope you got an in-depth idea about reciprocating saw safety rules.
Now you know how to prevent yourself from Sawzall injury. A case study shows that an experienced worker is relatively at higher risk of getting injured because of his overconfident mentality and not following the safety rules properly.
I hope and request you to follow the reciprocating saw safety tips properly.
Related Article:
How to Choose a Perfect Corded reciprocating saw.
A Quick Look at Our All-time Favorite Cordless Reciprocating Saw.
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