Safety Precautions - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

SawingSue · 03-24-2012, 09:53 PM

I am new to woodworking, scrolling, and I am a diabetic. Safety is a major concern. I Googled and read several articles and watched a video on YouTube about scroll saw safety. I carry my cell phone with me, and made a small First Aid kit and stashed it in near my saw and sanding area. Are there any other precautions I should take?

rippersmom · 03-24-2012, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SawingSue

I am new to woodworking, scrolling, and I am a diabetic. Safety is a major concern. I Googled and read several articles and watched a video on YouTube about scroll saw safety. I carry my cell phone with me, and made a small First Aid kit and stashed it in near my saw and sanding area. Are there any other precautions I should take?

Protection from breathing sawdust is a major safety issue. Please wear a dust mask and use a dust collection system of some kind when you are woodworking. We have had members here with serious health issues as a result of not protecting themselves from inhaling sawdust particles.

Nancy in AZ

JimSawyer · 03-24-2012, 11:01 PM

And aside what was afore mentioned, Scrolling is probably the safest tool in the shop.
You would have to want to cut yourself with it.
It's pretty mild. I scroll with my fingers right up to the blade sometimes, when I'm doing small details.

oily · 03-25-2012, 12:55 AM

You would have to really go out of your way to do any damage with a scroll saw. I often have fingers in contact with the blade and I don't notice until it gets a little warm.
I had to chuckle when I read your post. Check out my post, it'll be there in a little while.

handibunny · 03-25-2012, 01:07 AM

Hearing and eye protection are important, too. Even quiet saws make enough noise to require some protection, and you never know when something can go flying.

It's also a good idea to wear an apron or other covering so you don't drag sawdust with you. I use my shop vac to vacuum off my clothes and sometimes even my hair. You also might find yourself sensitive to the dust from some wood, especially exotics.

However, compared to other tools, the scroll saw is about as safe as they come, and the precautions are those you'd need for any tool. As far as cutting yourself, with normal precautions it just isn't an issue. The blade stays put, there's no kickback, and with a little care, you can get your fingers right up to the blade without danger.

SawingSue · 03-25-2012, 01:35 AM

Thanks, Nancy. Good reminder about taking precautions to not breathe sawdust. I wear a mask and use a box fan with a pleated furnace filter. I also wear safety glasses and no jewelry, especially no long necklaces with dangly charms. Love your signature! I need to scroll a big sign that says that!

SawingSue · 03-25-2012, 01:40 AM

JimSawyer, Well, I certainly do not want to cut myself. I do, however, want to cut wood and have something left besides sawdust!

I've yet to put my fingers right up to the blade. Maybe in time and with experience...

SawingSue · 03-25-2012, 01:49 AM

oily, I couldn't find your post but I did find Buckshot and he is adorable!

SawingSue · 03-25-2012, 01:57 AM

Carole, I hadn't considered ear protection as I'm usually listening to music. Thanks. I made myself a red bid apron to wear when scrolling. I'm going to work on getting my fingers closer to the blade.

crupiea · 03-25-2012, 02:24 AM

So i guess its probably not too smart to drink a 12 pack while sawing.

Now you tell me.

03-24-2012, 09:53 PM	#1
SawingSue Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Safety Precautions I am new to woodworking, scrolling, and I am a diabetic. Safety is a major concern. I Googled and read several articles and watched a video on YouTube about scroll saw safety. I carry my cell phone with me, and made a small First Aid kit and stashed it in near my saw and sanding area. Are there any other precautions I should take? __________________

03-24-2012, 11:01 PM	#3
JimSawyer Laying into Inlay Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lincoln, RI Posts: 3,856 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	And aside what was afore mentioned, Scrolling is probably the safest tool in the shop. You would have to want to cut yourself with it. It's pretty mild. I scroll with my fingers right up to the blade sometimes, when I'm doing small details. __________________ Jim The limits of the imagination are imaginary. No task is too tedious for Art. Rock and Scroll My Gallery My Website Featherwood Woodcrafts

03-25-2012, 12:55 AM	#4
oily IM BACK SORTA Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,485 Thanks: 4 Thanked 27 Times in 20 Posts	You would have to really go out of your way to do any damage with a scroll saw. I often have fingers in contact with the blade and I don't notice until it gets a little warm. I had to chuckle when I read your post. Check out my post, it'll be there in a little while. __________________ May the wind at you back ..... Not be from Lunch. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive. Beauty is in the eye of the BEERHOLDER Visit My Gallery Oily's Gallery http://www.picturetrail.com/oily11

03-25-2012, 01:07 AM	#5
handibunny cute and crafty Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,389 Thanks: 10 Thanked 23 Times in 19 Posts	Hearing and eye protection are important, too. Even quiet saws make enough noise to require some protection, and you never know when something can go flying. It's also a good idea to wear an apron or other covering so you don't drag sawdust with you. I use my shop vac to vacuum off my clothes and sometimes even my hair. You also might find yourself sensitive to the dust from some wood, especially exotics. However, compared to other tools, the scroll saw is about as safe as they come, and the precautions are those you'd need for any tool. As far as cutting yourself, with normal precautions it just isn't an issue. The blade stays put, there's no kickback, and with a little care, you can get your fingers right up to the blade without danger. __________________ Carole Follow me on my blog: www.scrollsawbowls.blogspot.com

03-25-2012, 01:35 AM	#6
SawingSue Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, Nancy. Good reminder about taking precautions to not breathe sawdust. I wear a mask and use a box fan with a pleated furnace filter. I also wear safety glasses and no jewelry, especially no long necklaces with dangly charms. Love your signature! I need to scroll a big sign that says that! __________________

03-25-2012, 01:40 AM	#7
SawingSue Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	JimSawyer, Well, I certainly do not want to cut myself. I do, however, want to cut wood and have something left besides sawdust! I've yet to put my fingers right up to the blade. Maybe in time and with experience... __________________

03-25-2012, 01:49 AM	#8
SawingSue Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	oily, I couldn't find your post but I did find Buckshot and he is adorable! __________________

03-25-2012, 01:57 AM	#9
SawingSue Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Carole, I hadn't considered ear protection as I'm usually listening to music. Thanks. I made myself a red bid apron to wear when scrolling. I'm going to work on getting my fingers closer to the blade. __________________

03-25-2012, 02:24 AM	#10
crupiea Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 162 Thanks: 11 Thanked 25 Times in 18 Posts	So i guess its probably not too smart to drink a 12 pack while sawing. Now you tell me.

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