Coping Saw Safety
A coping saw is a hand tool which is usually not considered a hazard to the user, but there are a few tips to remember to reduce the chance of injury. Any tool with a saw blade in it is capable of causing injury and the coping saw is no exception. Does this Spark an idea?
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Proper Use
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To ensure the safe use of a coping saw, it must be used properly. Coping saws are designed to cut crown molding, baseboard and other moldings to fit corners without a gap. Don't use the coping saw to cut material over 1 inch thick. Though it can be done, it is safer and easier to cut out the bulk of the material with a jigsaw and finish the cut with a coping saw. Coping saws are best used where control is very important. It is much easier to control the coping saw during a detailed cut than trying to cut fancy profiles with a power saw.
General Safety
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Clamp your material to a work bench or sawhorse to keep it from moving around. You should install the blade in the coping saw so that it cuts on the up stroke. There is a greater risk of breaking the blade when cutting on the down stroke, causing possible injury to yourself. When cutting with a coping saw, keep your other hand as far away as is practical to keep the blade from slipping off the material and into your hand.
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Maintenance
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The only maintenance needed to keep you free from injury is to replace the blade when it is dull. A dull blade requires more force to cut, which ends up breaking the blade.
Work Area Safety
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If you keep your work place picked up and swept, you will be able to stand firmly while cutting and reduce the risk of injury while coping.
Safety 101
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Always wear safety glasses when using power tools. Though unlikely, the blade could snap and shoot a piece into your eye. Use hearing protection. Though you won't need it for the cope cut, you will most likely cut the other end with a power saw.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Dangerous safety placard image by k9dg from Fotolia.com
