How to Safely Use a Handsaw
When it comes to using a handsaw safely, the first thing to do is inspect your saw. If it is severely rusted, dull, the handle is cracked, the blade is loose, or the screws are loose, you will need to get a new saw. The pressure you put your saw under could cause it to break and injury yourself, or project, or someone else.
After you have a safe saw to use, follow these steps.
Step 1:
Secure your wood. I know this seems obvious, but many people assume they will be able to hold it down with their free hand. This is not the case. You will quickly fatigue, your wood will slide around, and you will most likely bend your saw blade and damage your wood. Secure it at both ends onto sturdy saw horses or a workbench using c clamps.
Step 2:
Draw a line through your wood where you want to cut. Don’t try to eyeball it. You will constantly try to shift your blade, which could result in a slip or breakage of the blade, both dangerous for your digits.
Step 3:
Hold the saw firmly, bend at a 90 degree angle, and move your shoulder while cutting, not your elbow. This will prevent strains and excessive fatigue.
Step 4:
Not its time to begin cutting. Don’t cut with the blade in a horizontal fashion. This is imprecise, time consuming, and sloppy. Angle your saw blade downwards at an angle so that the tip of the blade points at the floor. This will make it easy to keep your blade on track with your line, you will be able to put more force into cutting, and it is a precise method.
Step 5:
Be sure to cleanly saw off the entire piece of wood. Do not cut the majority of the distance and then break the rest off. Your wood will crack and splitter and be useless.
Tips to remember:
You must take into consideration the width of your blade, and cut on the outside of your line. If you don’t, your wood will be approximately 1/8 of an inch too small.
If you are afraid that your blade will slip, where a pair of thick gloves, preferably leather wood-working gloves.
Wear goggles, or saw dust will get in your eyes.
