Originally Posted by
Edwin Santos
Hi,
At the risk of geeking out on safety, in response to Pat's suggestion, I'd like to present two technique I use to keep my hands further away from the spinning blade when cutting a small part like the guy was doing in the video on his table saw with a small sled.
Photo 1 shows a small part being held with my hands, this is what I choose not to do and do not recommend to others.
Photo 2 is what I do most of the time which is a stick holder shaped at the end with some sandpaper glued on for grip. The key to this technique is the other block which has to be larger than the piece you're cutting, so the pressure will be levered at the tip of the stick where you want it. This technique creates a kind of vise and is surprisingly strong. I use it at the miter saw all the time.
Photo 3 is what I do if the stick will not work which is to use a fat pencil with the eraser tip as an 11th finger to hold the workpiece. These fat pencils are what they give kids in kindergarten when they are learning how to write. I keep one with a magnet at every cutting machine where it's always handy. Incidentally, I don't have a Sawstop but it occurs to me that the metal ferrule on the pencil could trip it if it were struck. To avoid this I would maybe fashion an alternative with no metal.
I hope these ideas are constructive for someone. I'd like to think there is very little additional time (as in none) taken for utilizing these precautions in exchange for greater safety odds. There are lots of other methods, and I hope to learn some here if others are posted. If you disagree, go ahead, but please resist mocking me and preserve what little self-esteem the house full of women here have left me.
Thanks Edwin. I didn't know of this technique, but it sure looks safer to me. It reminds me of the "10 million dollar Stick" I bought recently and find useful.
I'd add a 4th option to making the cut your pictures show: use a hand saw, like a Dozuki or a Backsaw. For me, that works very well. For others, YMMV.
Fred
Last edited by Frederick Skelly; 03-11-2018 at 1:22 PM.
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