The circular saw is the “yes man” of power tools. Its versatility and power give it the ability to perform almost any job. With the right accessories and resources, it’s always prepared to get to work.

Maybe you can relate. Are you a “yes man?”

 

Do you have a hard time saying no, both in your personal life and professionally? If so, you may feel like you have too much on your plate at work. You want to finish all your projects on time, or even ahead of schedule. You have to ensure that all your equipment functions properly, and work to get it fixed as quickly as possible when it doesn’t. You may even have to deal with staffing issues. Let’s face it: you have a lot of jobs. You have so much to do that you must take special caution to avoid the dreaded burn-out.

 

The same can happen to circular saws. Overuse, in combination with poor maintenance and handling of your circular saw, may cause it to get burnt out. You may think that circular saws are always able to power through endless tasks during your work day. But tired circular saw just doesn’t work right.

 

Mindlessly using and caring for a circular saw is risky business. 

Circular saw mistakes can cause harm that’s two-fold. Not only can being unorganized with your tool damage the tool itself. It can also introduce extreme risks to workers, the operator and bystanders included.

 

Below, you can find the top three most common and most startling circular saw mistakes. Becoming familiar with these errors can help you understand the impact they can have on your power tools, yourself, and others.

 

Luckily, we have solutions to help keep you organized. Read on to learn how to fix these three shocking circular saw slip-ups.

 

Circular Saw Mistake #1: Improper Storage

Where you store your circular saw can make or break the integrity and performance of the tool. Keeping your saw placed in the right position, on the right surface, and in an appropriate environment does means being smart and safe with your tool. Storing your circular saw the right way reduces damage to the saw and blades. More importantly, it can reduce the risk of injury to those not permitted have access to the tool.

 

Blade Blunders

Your saw’s blade can be its Achilles heel. It’s what gives the tool power, but it can be extremely susceptible to damage and harm. Here’s what to do to avoid blade chipping, rubbing, and rusting:

 

• Chipping occurs when blades rub against one another. Prevent this from happening by placing heavy cardboard or two pieces of plywood (with a bolt through them) between blades during shipping.

 

• Chipping also occurs when blades are placed on rough surfaces like cement and steel, which make them dull. If you need to set your blade down, make sure it’s on a plywood or plastic surface. But if the blade in in the saw, don’t let it rest on any surface.

 

• When storing your blades, hang them from a pegboard. Keeping them in a box or drawer is a good option too. Just make sure the blades don’t overlap as this causes rubbing.

 

• You probably already know that water causes rusting. Be sure to keep your tool and your blades out of wet or rainy environments. This includes excessive humidity too, so if you live in the south – take caution!

 

 Image: Shutterstock 

 

Authorized Personnel Only

It’s never a bad idea to store your saw blades at a high level so that they’re out of the reach of children. Like most tools, circular saws are extremely dangerous to little ones. Saws can also cause harm to anyone who doesn’t know how to handle and operate it properly. So, always supervise inexperienced operators. Ensuring that your circular saw doesn’t get into the hands of an unqualified person by storing it in the proper manner is a great way to avoid mistakes and practice smart organization.

 

Circular Saw Mistake #2: Failure to Prepare

Benjamin Franklin said,

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."

For power tools, this couldn’t be more true. Many workers don’t realize the many steps that should be taken to prepare themselves and the workplace before using a circular saw or any power tool. A lack of preparation before beginning a job can out harmful stress on the tool. It can put operators and bystanders at risk too.

 

Your “pre-work work” should have three parts:

 

Settings and Accessories

Make sure you set your saw’s blade depth before cutting. The blade should always penetrate ¼” below the board being cut. Don’t forget to tighten the depth and bevel adjustments too. Using the right accessory is essential to successful and safe saw operation. You can damage the blade if you cut metal with a blade designed to cut plastic. Always match the blade to the application. If you find that your tool’s accessory needs to be forced, stop using it and figure out what is wrong.

 

Assess the Workpiece

Further damage to the tool can occur if the workpiece isn’t first inspected. Circular saws shouldn’t cut nails. That’s why you should assess what’s being cut and remove any nails from the material if needed. The workpiece should also be secured with clamps and placed on a stable platform. This keeps both the tool and the worker safe. Never use any part of your body to stabilize your workpiece.

 

PPE Preparation

Certain items of PPE, like protective eyewear, need to be worn no matter what. Other personal protective equipment should be utilized depending on your task at hand. For example, if you are cutting material that could contain toxic chemicals, a dust mask will help keep you protected. Keep in mind that power tools can be loud. If the tool you use creates noise to levels exceeding 85 dB, hearing protection is what you need. If other workers will be around the tool in use for extended periods of time, make sure they have the PPE they need too.

 

 Image: Shutterstock 

 

By completing these easy yet effective preparation steps, you can avoid preventable damage to your circular saw, yourself, and your coworkers.

 

Circular Saw Mistake #3: Careless Operation

You’ve heard of the traffic violation “careless driving,” right? Careless operation if a circular saw can be just as dangerous – maybe more. Neglecting to follow your tool’s proper operating procedures can have major consequences. Here are the top four avoidable operation faux pas:

 

Cuts to Workers

You’re reading about power saws, so you probably already know you have to assume the risk of being cut. Cuts can occur due to improper saw placement. The wider part of the saw should be on the stabilized part of the workpiece, not the section that will fall after the cut is made. Placing the bulk of the tool on the secured surface will help keep it on track and keep you in control.

 

Remember: blades take time to stop.

Always wait until your saw blade has fully stopped rotating before setting it down. Setting a tool down while it’s still running creates the perfect setting for unwanted cuts – both to workpieces and to workers. Conversely, always allow the blade to reach full speed before re-entering a partially cut workpiece. Never start the saw while it’s inside of a cut.

 

Kickback

Kickback occurs when the workpiece is thrown back toward the operator suddenly and unexpectedly. It can cause the workpiece and/or the tool in use to injure the operator or other workers. To reduce the risk of kickback, make large cutting surfaces flat by supporting them near the cut.

To reduce the risk of kickback, make large cutting surfaces flat by supporting them near the cut.

Sagging material can cause the tool’s blade to pinch which causes kickback. To guard against the consequences of kickback, always stand to the left or right of the saw blade. You could become injured if you’re standing in line with the blade and kickback causes the saw to jump back.

 

Image: Shutterstock 

 

Flying Debris

Did you know that an overheated saw can produce flying debris? If your tool becomes overheated, thermal cracks can occur and cause blade fragments to hit the operator or others.

 

Electrical Hazards

Circular saws should be held by insulated gripping surfaces. If the metal surfaces of a tool come in contact with live wires, they also become conductive. This creates a serious electrical hazard for the operator and even surrounding coworkers.

 

The “yes man” circular saw can do a lot, right? That’s why you should always treat your saw and other power tools with care. Overused and abused equipment can become a threat to the operator, nearby coworkers, and even innocent bystanders. Not to mention, it can completely ruin your tool.

 

If you, like the circular saw, have a lot on your plate, keeping up with these preparation and organization tips may seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Pretty soon, these safe practices will become second nature. Start using these tips today to keep your circular saw running smoothly, and to keep yourself and others safe.

 

What other circular saw mistakes have you seen? How were they fixed?