How do you use a saw blade guard?


Quick Answer

Standard saw blade guards connect to table saws via an overhead attachment, so to utilize a barrier guard, use the attachment kit to connect it just behind and above the circular blade. Some self-adjusting blade guards attach to the splitter, which is a thin piece of metal behind the blade. Lower the guard over the top of the blade to provide protection from the rear, sides and top of the rotating teeth. Lift the guard to change the saw blade.

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Full Answer

In addition to using a saw blade guard, wear eye protection in case splinters, nails or other debris kick back from the cut. Some operators also use push sticks to minimize the chances of a hand or finger coming in contact with the blade. Flesh-sensing technology is another safety feature in some table saws; this technology automatically shuts off the saw blade if it comes into contact with human flesh and can help prevent amputations.

Some saw operators make their own blade guards out of wood, metal or plexiglass. Homemade blade guards are strips of metal attached to a covering box that can be lowered over the saw blade. Making your own blade guard allows you to have a safety feature that best suits your cutting habits.

Some table saw operators remove and never replace their blade guards because they find them cumbersome. Operating a saw without a guard radically increases the chances of an amputation or other catastrophic injury. To ensure a straight cut with the guard in place, make grooves in the wood to track the course of the cut. Another strategy to cut well using a guard is to use an adjustable fence to guide the wood in a straight line through the blade.

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