Band Saw Safety- Peeking Mouse Blank

Here I am cutting out a 3-D Peeking Mouse blank using my 'magic' safety stick. To see more of my carvings and helpful hints go to my web site: http://www.woodworks-by-donna.com Photos of the finished mouse are there on the 'wood carvings' page; as well as how to order plans and directions for making it, on the 'items for sale' page- a $3 download. PS- the text notations in this video are not used on the videos I sell. woodworks-by-donna.com

Category:

Howto & Style

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• peeking
• mouse
• donna
• menke
• band
• saw
• safety
• carvings
• woodworks-by-donna
• stick
• directions
• plans
• wood
• carving

[DonnaMenke]

Weeellll- there is no suction on my band saws. What there is is momentum as you finish a cut. As soon as you cut through there is nothing to stop the fingers from keeping on towards the blade. That is why I NEVER have my fingers in line with the sharp teeth of the blade when I am within 3" of the blade. As I get closer to the blade I put the sacrificial push stick in line with the blade instead of my fingers. I've been using my band saw since 1973 and never gotten a scratch. . . yet.

[mondovila]

Donna, I am buying my first band saw and I've never even used one. I'm a bit nervous and appreciate the safety tips. I was however disappointed to see that you are wearing a long sleeve sweatshirt while cutting. Its my understanding that its a very dangerous thing to do because the fabric could get caught. I just wanted to share that for the sake of other beginners like myself. Thanks for the video!

[DonnaMenke]

@mondovila , you may be thinking of the danger of floppy sleeves, long hair, or dangling jewelry when turning on the lathe. A loose piece of material can get caught and wrap around the spinning wood and draw your body parts into harms way. I wear long sleeves when turning too- but nothing floppy. I'm often wearing long sleeves to reduce the friction of bare skin on metal tool tables and to keep sweat off the metal as well. Not to mention to keep warm! Glad you were paying attention. Donna Menke

[TheDougEvans]

Donna,

Do you have alight built into your saw ??? Never seen this before !

Doug Evans

[DonnaMenke]

Yes I do, and I love it. It is a 1972 Craftsman 12" band saw and it is a keeper. If you ever find one like that you should get it. I have a magnetic light on my other band saw but it is not as good. Good luck finding one. Donna

[erat999]

An excellent suggestion to use the backup block/push stick.

[DonnaMenke]

Thanks- we use them with table saws and joiners, so why not with band saws. works for me so I was happy to share the info.

[redemptionfb]

At any second your hands could get pulled in(my thumb got sucked in...), you are way too close. Be careful!