COMPANION 172.21399 Operator's Manual page 9

ADDHTHONAL SPEC_FHC SAFETY RULES FOR BAND SAWS conto
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To avoid injury from jams, slips or thrown pieces, use ONLY the right size and style of blade.
Use ONLY recommended accessories. MAKE SURE the blade teeth point downward toward
the top of the worktable.
ALWAYS be sure the band saw blade path is free of nails. ALWAYS carefully inspect lumber
and remove all nails BEFORE sawing.
ALWAYS adjust the upper blade guide and blade guard to barely clear the workpiece. (Blade
guides, thrust bearing and blade tension must be properly adjusted to avoid accidental blade
contact, to minimize blade breakage and to maximize blade support.)
10. DO NOT remove the band saw's blade guard. NEVER operate the band saw with any guard or
cover removed. MAKE SURE that all guards are operating properly BEFORE each use.
11. ALWAYS be sure that the band saw blade clears the workpiece. NEVER start the band saw
with the blade touching the workpiece. ALWAYS allow the motor to come up to full speed
BEFORE starting to saw.
12. ALWAYS support long workpieces to minimize the risk of the band saw blade binding, breaking
or throw back. The band saw blade may slip or slide while working with long or heavy boards.
13. BE SURE the worktable lock handle is tightly secured BEFORE turning on the band saw.
14. Use extra care and caution with large, very small or awkwardly shaped workpieces. Make relief
cuts when cutting long curves.
15. USE extra external supports to prevent workpieces from tipping off the top of the worktable. DO
NOT use another person as a substitute for an extension of the worktable or as an additional
support for the workpiece.
16. NEVER saw more than one piece at a time. DO NOT STACK more than one workpiece on the
worktable at a time.
17. NEVER do layout, assembly or setup work on the worktable when the band saw is on or while
the blade is moving.
18. ALWAYS avoid awkward operations and hand positions where a sudden slip could cause your
hand to move into the band saw blade. ALWAYS make sure that you have good balance.
NEVER operate your band saw on the floor or in a crouched position.
19. NEVER stand or have any part of your body in line with the path of the band saw blade.
20. ALWAYS plan intricate, close and fine work carefully BEFORE you turn on the band saw so that
you DO NOT pinch the blade as you make your cut.
21. ALWAYS secure small workpieces with jigs and fixtures. DO NOT hand-hold small workpieces
that can draw your fingers under the blade guard. ALWAYS support round-shaped workpieces
properly (with a "V" block or clamped to the miter gauge) to prevent the workpiece from rolling
on the worktable or the blade from biting into the workpiece accidentally.
22. ALWAYS use clean and sharp band saw blades. Sharp blades minimize stalling, blade drifting
and kickback.
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