The Danger of circular saws-GORE WARNING!

[mic-d]

Hi everyone,
This is my first post - what a place to start...

I have been building garage cabinets by ripping MDF with a jigsaw, clamps and a straight edge (you have to start somewhere). The project is going quite well.
I was considering upgrading to a circular saw until I read this thread. I think I will stick with my jigsaw.

The reason for my post: looking at circular saws at bunnings, some of the Bosch models have tags on them that say "ideal for overhead work due to light weight 3.8 Kg"

Unbelievably bad advice, don't you think?

cheers
MR T

Welcome Mr T,
not bad advice really, light saws are good for overhead work and overhead work when building is often impossible to avoid. If you get a good saw and use it properly it is quite safe. You can do quite a bit of damage to yourself and your work with a jigsaw too if it's not used safely. BTW how did you ever get a jigsaw to run along a straight edge without running out?
Cheers
Michael

[justinmcf]

hi MR T, and welcome to the forum, you are right, that is very bad advice, i would never let any trainee working with me to use a saw in the overhead/ upside down position.

i am very surprised that they market their product in such a way.

i would recommend a circular saw, btw, your cabinets will thank you for it, i feel sorry for your poor jigsaw trying to cut sheet goods. surely you can sell some of your gold necklaces and buy a decent circular saw!

good luck, justin.

[Pulpo]

Definitely up grade to a circular saw from a jig saw, jig saws are just not designed for cutting sheets.

I have a couple of circular saws and yes they kick back when not paying attention but just being alert at all times helps.

I have used a circular saw for almost 30 years and they are great tools if used for what they were designed for but too often they are used for cutting in any situation.

Now a 9" angle grinder is out of my league, I find too scary, and almost never use.

A chainsaw is my vote for the most dangerous tool, but I use it reguarly and am very well prepared with chaps and visor.

Pulpo

[ColW]

This post just reminded of my first encounter with a circular saw.
My partner at the time bought it as a b'day present. So you can
imagine let's try it out!! It frightened the sh#t out of me!
Just the power of the thing, that was 15 years ago and i still have
healthy respect for it, and it's never drawn blood! I often cringe at seeing motorcyclists in shorts and t-shirts, uncovered hands and ankles, i say if it's too hot for safety gear it's too hot to ride....same goes for us woodworkers, thongs, loose clothing, alcohol are inviting the worst kind
of injury...I know we caught up in the enjoyment of it all, creative process
etc...but that pic , oh that must have hurt.

[Shedhand]

yep,...."hand saw would buckle if you hit a nasty knot and usually my left thumb and index finger would take the brunt of this..."
Working in a timber yard many moons ago. Had to cut some green scantling for a guy. Got the good ol' Spear and Jackson 4T saw out. First down stroke, the blade buckled sprung sideways into my thumb and index finger. Blood everywhere. Showed the boss and he fainted (true). The damage was so messy that it couldn't be stitched so they put a heap of see through tape over it. Been wary of handsaws ever since. I've never had an injury from my Poulan Chainsaw in the 30 yeras i've had it nor any from a jigsaw, circular saw, drill, bandsaw or angle grinder. Why? Because I am VERY careful with all these tools. Now the table saw thats a different story. Dunno why I'm so clumsy with it. Been bitten twice by the damn thing.

HAd a mate once who worked in a quarry. Was cutting sandstone slabs with a 9" stone cutting wheel. The guard had been removed for some reason. The blade disintegrated. He got into his ute to go get a new cutting wheel and when he got out of the ute at the workshop (it wasn't far from where he was working) he collapsed. A third of the cut-off wheel was embedded in his thigh. He nearly bled to death.
Anyway nice hand shot. Beats my gore from the plumbers accident with the C12 Festo drill..

[cytan]

Hi terry, whats the go with these armidale blokes, I know one who cut off his little finger the same way just prior to Christmas.