I saw a short tv news clip on the new house market today and it showed a right handed guy with a wormdrive hanging the lumber over his foot and running the blade through it. That got me to thinking about how dangerous those tools are as compared to the sidewinder. A guy would have to be a contortionist to cut his own leg with a sidewinder but I could see where many folks might run that wormdrive into his foot.
Are there a lot of injuries by wormdrives getting run into the leg or foot?
Bob’s next test date: 12/10/07
Replies
Are there a lot of injuries by wormdrives getting run into the leg or foot?
No more than any other accidents by folks using circular saws in general, as far as I am aware.
The method you describe is EXACTLY how I cut 2 X material.
Matter of fact, I had considered offering it as a means of "judging" a newbie in the NEW GUY thread. Thought maybe having a DIY read it, and try it, wasn't a good idea.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
GC DH taught me how to do this. Trust me, it's not that big of a deal, and I am a girl. I still can't figure out why the big studs complain about the weight of the wormdrive saws. Granted, I have not had to use one overhead, but geez, ... did I mention that I am a girl and have no trouble with it?
BTW, DH ties back the guard with shims, and gets mad at me when he discovers that I have releashed it...lol.
"He said "Buck up baby, it's okay. The sunlight on the floor will always fall." ~ Sarah Harmer
DH ties back the guard with shims...
Now THAT is dangerous.
Please continue to incur his wrath by removing the shims each time.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
Actually, I feel safe using the WD either way.
When the guard "kicks in" it has a tendency to wobble me due to lack of arm strength. Yep, I can power through it, no problem. So, no problem.
DH and Blue would get along just fine...lol
edited to add "here we go again...
"He said "Buck up baby, it's okay. The sunlight on the floor will always fall." ~ Sarah Harmer
Edited 3/12/2008 12:36 pm by Fishrite
They're designed to cut this way.
weight, gravity, plumb cut, keep your foot out od the path.
r2
I have been doing it for close to 40 years that way and have never cut myself or anyone else with a worm drive saw, with or without a functioning guard . It is a safe method of cutting, much safer than no guard IMO.
I always make sure my guard is functioning , and keep it clean so it works properly. First crew I worked with disdained guards.
As a matter of fact the ONLY time I have ever been cut by a "skill' saw blade was when a co-worker on that crew who refused to use guards set his saw down with out looking and being aware of others and slid it right into the side of my left foot. Cut through a the side of a new pair of leather work boots, cut through the sock and just nicked my skin.
His saw was subsequently found to be unable to fly when launched off a second story deck, I would have thrown him after it but he was twice my size and I couldn't lift him high enough.
"he was twice my size and I couldn't lift him high enough"
You should learn some judo or jujitsu - then you could have chucked him after it without a problem.
When I was the newbie on a framing crew, that is how we were taught to use the wormdrive. 'til then, I had only used a sidewinder. Shortly afterward, I gave my sidewinder to a yankee, and haven't used one since for framing. That was 12 years ago. I even still have all my toes. The biggest danger I see with wormdrives, is when folks set em down spinning, and the blade guard hasn't retracted cuz it's either worn out or pinned back. I was taught to always set the saw down on it's arbor side for safety reasons. Six years, first week on a new crew, the foreman got after me for not doing so, and I ended up looking like the rookie, so he watched me like a hawk after that. I did end up being the last one left on the crew at the end of the project.
I like to set it down on the arbor side for that reason, but also because it's an easy twist of the wrist to get the saw into its resting position. Set the nose down gently, then turn your wrist slightly while lowering the handle to the ground.
Trying to set it down on the blade guard, like you do with a sidewinder, is a less natural motion. You have to support the weight with your forearm while twisting and risking damaging the base plate, AND worrying about whether the blade guard is retracted.
The trick is to use your right foot to support the lumber, assuming you're cutting with your right hand. That keeps the blade well away from any body parts. It's unusual for a saw and board to jump sideways, and in that configuration there's nothing behind the blade.
I wouldn't want to do much with a sidewinder because the blade would be closer to your foot, and the wobbliness of the SW would make it more likely to jump sideways I would think.
Try it sometime. It's a remarkably comfortable way to cut a 2x.