HOW TO PROPERLY USE A CIRCULAR SAW AND PREVENT KICK BACK. Among professional tradesmen, on the farm, around the house and in the vocational shop, the circular saw is probably the most commonly used power saw, and perhaps the most commonly abused. PREVENTING PORTABLE CIRCULAR SAW KICKBACK. Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched blade, causing an uncontrolled portable tool to lift up and out of the work piece toward the operator. Above information taken from THE TOOL GURU: How to properly use a Circular Saw and prevent kick back.
I thought it would be good to put together an article on handling circular saw kickback and throw in some additional safety tips that will make your experience better with these valuable tools. Kickback happens when the saw blade binds or stalls suddenly in the wood and the saw gets driven back toward you. In the comments field, feel free to share any close calls or other tips you might have regarding kickback or circular saw safety.
Overusing a saw results in the overheating of saw blades. Overheating might be the result of using a dull or edgeless blade, extensive rubbing of the saw on the board, using the saw so abruptly or so slowly and improperly adjusted saw. The circular saw consists of two handles i.e., front and back.
One of the most common causes of kickback occurs when the saw has not reached its full speed yet and you work the piece against it. Another major cause of kickback is not having a firm hold and control over your circular saw. It’s always a good idea to have one finger on the saw trigger at all times when using the saw, then if kickback is likely or happens you can release your finger and the saw will stop.
how to prevent circular saw kickback Related Question:
Why does my circular saw keep kicking back?
What is kickback? Kickback happens when the saw blade binds or stalls suddenly in the wood and the saw gets driven back toward you. So the key to preventing this is to make sure your blade doesn’t bind in the wood.
How do you keep a circular saw from binding?
Avoid circular saw blade binding But cutting a long board in half is different. You can hold one end, but the other must be free to drop or the blade will bind. The trick is to allow the cutoff end to drop slightly, but not so much that it completely snaps off before the cut is complete.
What causes a circular saw to bind?
A circular saw binds because of failure to ensure proper blade depth; setting the blade too deep presents a danger because more blade surface is exposed while cutting than a properly set blade. When the saw is too deep, kickback and binding will be inevitable.
Can a circular saw blade break?
Making sure your saw blade is working properly is the best way to reduce downtime and increase production. There are many common causes that can cause blade failure from blade selection to cutting speeds, feed rates and improper break-in, to maintenance problems and more.
Do you need anti-kickback pawls?
It should go without saying that no one safety device can make a saw 100% safe. While anti-kickback pawls will reduce your risk of injury or equipment damage do not neglect to act carefully and to use other safety equipment.
Does riving knife prevent kickback?
If you get board with some funky grain or a knot it could easily still bind up on the blade and kickback even with a riving knife. A riving knife is a great feature and will prevent most kickbacks, but you still need to use proper technique and not stand directly behind the blade because it can still happen.
Why does my Dewalt circular saw keep stopping?
Most of the time, a circular saw keeps stopping because the blade gets stuck in the wood or material. This is due to the blade not being powerful enough to get through the material. It could also be because the blade is damaged or the motor is malfunctioning.
Why wont my circular saw cut all the way through?
Make sure your work piece is properly supported so it doesn’t pinch the blade which could also cause kickback in addition to stopping. Damaged, warped, loose or dull blade. Motor malfunctioning or overheating. Cable problems like frayed cord or weak connection.
Why is my circular saw stopping mid cut?
The circular saw stops in the middle of work when the blades of the saw are dull or damaged and are not functioning correctly. Moreover, it can also stop working when the motor of saw is not working properly. However, there could be some other reasons like cable issues, voltage issues etc.
Why does my circular saw burn the wood?
A dull blade will make it hard to cut quickly, and the slower the feed rate of the saw, the more friction against the wood and the greater the likelihood of scorch marks. Pushing the stock through the saw too slowly is a common cause of saw blade burn. Sometimes a blade that feels dull might only be dirty.
How often should you change a circular saw blade?
They can last between 12 and 120 hours of continuous use, depending on the quality of the blade and material they’re used to cut.
How do I know if my saw blade is dull?
Look for worn-down, chipped, broken and missing teeth or chipped carbide tips that indicate it’s time to replace a circular saw blade. Check the wear line of carbide edges using a bright light and magnifying glass to determine if it’s beginning to dull.
Is a riving knife necessary?
Rip cuts are especially prone to kickbacks, and it is here that the riving knife is most important. Even though a riving knife is effective in reducing the possibility of a kickback, it cannot prevent it entirely, which is why it is always advisable to follow the basic rules of use for a table saw.
What is an anti kickback shoulder on a saw blade?
Anti-Kick Saw Blades Saw Blades with anti-kickback shoulders that limit the amount of material that can safely be cut by each tooth. This virtually eliminates the kickback caused by overfeeding. Also called safety saw blades.
Does a circular saw need a riving knife?
Riving knives are also fitted to some hand-held electrical circular and powered miter or cross-cut saws (known generically as “chop saws”). As of 2009, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that all new table saw designs include a riving knife.
