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How To Use a Portable Band Saw: 7 Simple Steps
Visnja Radosavljevic
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Portable band saws are a convenient and excellent tool for cutting pieces of metal or wood to a desired shape and size on the fly.
What’s so great about a portable band saw is that you need minimum experience to use this tool. If you have recently bought a portable band saw and are wondering how to handle it properly, we hope to provide you with some useful tips and tricks.
A portable band saw is a powerful tool that cuts through various materials, most commonly through wood and metal. It’s much the same as a normal band saw, although in a more portable form. It consists of a long blade that is stretched between two wheels. The blade rotates between the wheels constantly, creating an effect of a saw.
Before You Begin
Before starting with your projects, it is crucial to learn exactly how to use the band saw. We will explain the best way to use the portable band saw in the steps below, but before that, there are a few safety measures you will need to take.
Safety measures
Always put on the necessary safety equipment—gloves, goggles, and ear protection.
Make sure your band saw comes to a full stop before putting it down.
Be careful when you are cutting metal, as metal parts tend to get very hot.
Check the blade tension frequently.
After using the saw regularly, the blade may wear and tear or even come off the wheel.
After using, ensure to unplug the saw or remove the battery.
Try practicing on smaller pieces or scrap material to familiarize yourself with the tool.
Choose the appropriate blade, depending on the material you are working with.
Maintain your band saw adequately to ensure it has a long lifespan.
The 7 Simple Steps on How To Use a Portable Band Saw
Start your project by preparing the band saw first. That means reading the manufacturer’s instructions, assembling the tool properly, and familiarizing yourself with the tool. Band saws are extremely dangerous if you don’t handle them with caution, so it is crucial to get the know the tool before using it. Try crafting something out of scraps so that your hands learn the feeling of using the tool.
Whether the band saw you own is an older tool or an entirely new one in your collection, it is vital to check the blade first. The blade should always correspond with the material you plan to cut, so it must also be sharp and strong enough. If your blade needs replacing, check the manual on how to do it, although almost every band saw has a release handle for quick replacement.
The space where you will work with the band saw has to be free of children and pets. Your workshop is not a place for playing since it has a lot of dangerous machines and tools—a band saw is one of them. If you are working with someone, make sure the second person is at a safe distance from the band saw.
A crucial step on this list is practicing all the safety measures. Wearing the proper gear can be helpful in many situations, as there will probably be debris flying around your workshop, especially if you are working with metal. When working with tools such as a band saw, you must always wear gloves and eye and ear protection.
Before making the cuts, it would be best to mark the desired areas first. If you are cutting a metal pipe, for example, mark around the diameter so that the final cut is as accurate as possible. It is also essential to secure the material tightly in its place. If the piece you are working on is loose, it is possible to fly off and hurt someone.
Slowly begin cutting the chosen piece. Ideally, you already have the marks which will guide your way, so the only thing to do now is to make sure you are creating a straight and parallel line. Let the saw drop on its own, with you guiding it. It doesn’t need any extra pressure, such as pushing, as that may harm the blade by bending or breaking it.
Once you finish your desired cut, you can release the blade. Before doing so, there is only one crucial thing to keep in mind—letting the blade come to a full stop before setting it down. Don’t forget to secure it by either unplugging it or removing the battery.
Final Words
This article aims to provide all DIY lovers with a thorough explanation of how to use a portable band saw. This tool can be efficient for everyday use if you are careful, although it can be hazardous.
Using a portable band saw properly is crucial, but taking all the correct safety measures is equally important. If you want this experience to be as fun and productive as possible, keep in mind all the risks and ways of ensuring safety.
Featured Image Credit: kasarp studio, Shutterstock
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Writer
Visnja Radosavljevic
Visnja is a content writer that covers various topics such as DIY, pets, home improvement, travel, gardening, and more. She is a young mom and college student that balances her time between her busy personal life and her passion of writing.
She believes that "writing is a great way to share your knowledge with the community and express yourself. There's nothing that words cannot accomplish, so I always try to use them in the best possible way."
Visnja Radosavljevic
