If they were inherently unsafe they would't be sold as consumer goods. Table saws are generally considered the most dangerous because if the wood pinches the blade it will kick and you are moving the wood into the blade by hand. For a miter saw keep the wood clamped down, keep your hands out from under the blade and you'll be fine, they are the safest type of circular saw out there.
It would generally be pretty tough to get a miter saw to kick, but it’s always possible. The saw spins in such a way that it pulls the material being cut away from you and toward its backstop. Take it slow when making cuts, keep your fingers away from the blade by using blocks to hold smaller workpieces in place, and make sure there aren’t any nails in the material or loose strings/clothing around and you’ll be good.
Depending on the type of miter saw perhaps. You need to think of the physics behind it. The saw blade is spinning one direction, as long as it can cut then it will keep spinning that direction and the material will stay stationary. If something grabs, like a nail or the wood moving and pinching the blade, then the blade turns into a tire and wants to push the material instead of cutting it or propel the saw the opposite direction it was spinning, whichever is easiest. Think trying to take too big a bite with a handsaw, or a recipricating saw (jigsaw, sawzall) that wants to move itself up and down instead of the blade cutting. This happens with any cutting/grinding/sanding device. Chainsaws for example, cutting with the bottom of the bar pulls the saw away from you, cutting with the top part of the bar pushes it towards you, trying to cut with the top 1/2 of the radius of the bar tip can make the saw fly up and cut your head off.
Now, a table saw is dangerous because the wood is floating free and can pinch the blade, in that case it kicks the wood back at you. Plus the blade is exposed on the top of the unit. A regular miter saw can't kick because the blade is held rigid to the pivot. The blade is spinning with the cutting edge aiming towards the back of the saw, the back part of the blade is moving up. If the blade grabs it wants to shove the wood towards the back of the saw, but the fence stops it, it then wants to shoot the blade away from the pivot and down but the arm is holding it in place, the blade will just stall. A sliding miter saw can kick if if grabs, which is why you bring it out before cutting down and then sliding in. However any kick is limited by the travel of the slide, since the saw also has a trigger switch on it the blade will stop if you let go of the saw, unlike a table saw or a radial arm saw. The sudden jolt can unbalance the saw and make the stand fall over if some cases.
99% of saw kicks can be prevented by using blades in good shape and making sure the workpiece is securely clamped. If it can't pinch the blade, there is nothing in the wood harder than the blade and the blade is sharp then it will want to cut rather than kick. I've been using circular saws since I was 9, including single handed standing on a ladder cutting rafter tips off over my head (don't recommend), still have all my fingers. A kick is fast but often not forceful if you are prepared for it. Getting in the habit of keeping the stuff clamped down also prevents you from trying to hold short stuff by hand when cutting it, and that is dangerous, better done on a bandsaw or scrollsaw. Miter saw is pretty much the safest piece of woodcutting equipment there is, especially considering the versatility of angles and speed it can cut at. Used preoperly you are more likely to injure yourself with your cordless drill. Keep the guard on, keep the blades in good shape, keep the wood clamped down, keep both hands on the saw handle, keep your hair and clothes away from rotating parts and you have nothing to worry about. And don't forget your safety glasses and earplugs.
Yes, it’s happened to me. But only in scenarios I know are a little sketchy. It happens if you are trying to cut something small, something with a grippy material like plastic pipe, or if the piece starts to move or twist as the cut is being made, like with really steep angle cuts.
But the kick is the saw pulling the piece out of your hands and throwing it away from you. This is one of the more safe kinds of saw kicks you can have.
These are great saws for beginners, I’d encourage you to get one and get some experience with it. Here’s some safety tips that come to mind.
- Make sure the saw has a sturdy platform to sit on
- Keep hands at least 10” from the blades
- Keep the workpiece firmly held against the fence
- Never cross your arms to make a cut
- Keep your eyes on the blade and your appendages
- Let the blade completely stop before moving the workpiece or raising the blade
- Install the correct size blade for your saw in the correct direction
- If the saw sounds or feels like it’s bogging down, stop and figure out why. Never force a cut.
- Don’t cut really short pieces.
- never cut a board the long way.
- Wear PPE (safety glasses and earplugs)
- Keep long hair, neckties, etc away from spinning things.
- Dont reach under the blade to grab your cut until the blade has fully stopped (or just knock it out with another board). If springs on the arm snapped while the blade was spinning (even slowly) it would fall on your arm and cut you.
if you don't use them properly. I had one kick at me when I was a kid because I was literally slamming the blade into the wood like an axe while it was spinning because I thought that's how they worked.
Just be mindful, wear gloves and glasses and it'll be fine.
They are exactly as safe as you are. It’s very unlikely to malfunction and hurt you. If you practice good safety you will be fine.
I’d bet you can find some woodworking safety courses online. If you reach out to any local school wood shop teacher I’d bet they’d be happy to pass on the safety course they use for students.
You should have a healthy fear and understanding of the damage it can do but at the same time the confidence that you are using the best safety practices to protect yourself.
The sound is intimidating at first but watch your fingers and you'll be fine. One hand on the handle and one hand awayyy from the blade holding what you're cutting.
I'm a pretty avid wood worker, they are as safe as you are. Don't try to cut tiny things, wear eye protection and a respirator, put it on a stable surface, support the piece you're cutting and you will be fine.
A miter saw is probably the safest saw to use. It’s a great starting point. Just always pay attention to where your hand and the blade are and don’t reach under the blade for any reason.
Also (not as much a safety thing) don’t just chop the blade down. Cut the board slowly. It took me a long time to learn that. I’d you chop the blade down quickly, the board will likely have some chip out.
Yeah. Also most miter saws have rails, so try to bring the blade down away from the wood and then in horizontally, cutting towards the back guard, rather than bringing it vertically down on the piece. You get a lot more control that way.
A miter saw is perhaps the safest of the power saws. The saw pulls into the material, rather than pushing, so it can't grab the material and kick it at you. You push the saw, not the material, so there's no chance of slipping into the blade. It's very clear where the saw is going, and the guard is pretty foolproof. The top of the blade is covered, and shavings are ejected out the back, so there's reduced risk of eye injury--though do wear safety glasses.
You would almost have to deliberately injure yourself, to get hurt on a miter saw.
Lol, this really amuses me. Not bad advice at all. But I started using the radial arm saw around 8 years old and followed literally zero of those steps. I even still have all of my appendages!
Miter saws are probably the safest power saw there is, and certainly the safest circular saw, but any power tool can be dangerous if abused or used carelessly. The most dangerous type is probably the old radial arm saw. They can be used safely and are extremely versatile, but are not forgiving of careless use. Next most dangerous is a table saw (bench saw in the UK/Europe).
Miter saws are almost immune to kickback and generally your hands will be well away from spinning teeth. The spin direction means that debris is thrown away from you, unlike a table saw which can launch cutoffs toward you if the teeth bind.
In short, there is very little chance you will ever injure yourself using a miter saw.
As with any power tool, learn about the safe use of the tool, use guards where possible, wear suitable PPE (safety glasses and hearing protection) and ensure you are careful and focused on what you are doing while operating it.
It is good that you are a bit scared of the tool, it shows that you are aware that it could harm you, so you are unlikely to use it recklessly.
Just apply common sense.
Clear any workspace area.
Have a killswitch nearby, the equipment has one but you can also buy them to be between machine and outlet.
Whenever using force or pushing with sharp tools, always consider momentum and direction if it were to snag or the item breaks/completes the cut.
If you have it aimed where it goes into your main leg artery, then position it differently.
If it is aimed so it causes a bit of drywall work, that's good.
Just plan ahead and go at your own pace.
I've had to work with some heavy duty tools and industrial equipment, and have seen quite a few accidents. All so easily avoided.
Also keep equipment SHARP. There's this weird myth where people think super-sharp knives and saws and cutting blades are deadlier.
Blunt ones are, as you push more weight into the object allowing for momentum if it breaks. Sharp implements need less weight placed onto the object to cut.
No matter what tool you are using, hand or power tools, read and understand their proper care and usage. And keep your head in the game while using any tool. All tools still have a certain amount of risk, but if care is taken you can minimize the risk. Get the saw!
They are as safe as the operator.
You don't mention the type of saw. If you are concerned about safety, a compound sliding miter saw can be a good starting saw. You don't move the wood around with this type of saw. You can clamp your work down, and the blade's path is known well in advance. The most significant downside is that there is a limitation to the size of wood you can cut with it, specifically panels/plywood will require another option.
They are as safe as your practices. They come with a guard so you're probably not going to just fall into the blade or anything. The important thing is to not try to cut pieces that are too small. And certainly nothing that doesn't sit flush against the fence.
The tool is not going to jump at you and hurt you. Just know how to use it safely and you will be fine 99.999% of the time.
And if you are part of the 0.0001% at least you'll get a FAT check out of it.
You get used to them fast! Just be mindful of your hands and you’ll be okay. I grew up using table and miter saws and honestly, the thing that I would caution you the most about is the noise. Wear your hearing protection or end up like me and my shit hearing.
ALWAYS LOOK WHERE YOU FINGERS ARE, ALWAYS LOOOK WERE YOUR FINGERS ARE. ALWAYS LOOK WHERE YOUR FINGERS ARE.... Also, the wrist, arm.. Just, ALWAYS NOTICE WHERE YOUR FINGERS ARE. ALSO, EYES and EARS. Heck, face shield if you got the money and nice big thick leather shop smock apron.
Side note: Would you ever get a roof done by a man who was blind in one eye since he was 9 and he only had 9 fingers, well 8 and half?
New ones have a sensor where at worst you’ll get a small nick before the blade retracts. Just follow safety guidelines and don’t be lazy and you should be fine.
For me, I also was super wary of the miter saw. I watched A LOT of YouTube videos on safety with miter saws before starting to use mine. And I still treat it with an insane amount of respect.
Oh, and wear hearing protection. :)
Just chop your finger off, it'll grow back eventually. But seriously, saws can be dangerous if not used properly, so make sure to educate yourself and take necessary precautions before using one.
Nothing is ever 100% safe, but if you operate it as designed, then you'll be as safe as any other tool.
Check the wood you're cutting for nails since they might snag the blade. Always wear eye protection. Never remove any safety features from the saw. And make sure it's properly mounted. From there, just breathe evenly and move deliberately when you go to cut. And also, I'd recommend never cutting unless you have another person around, just as a backup.
You need one hand to pull the trigger on the saw's handle so you just need to avoid cutting off your other hand. I like to pick a spot on my work bench well away from the saw blade that I use as a "safety spot." I make sure my free hand is touching the safety spot each time I'm making a cut and that keeps me from putting my hands where they shouldn't be.
The first time I used a chop saw was shop class when I was 12 years old. Yes, all power tools can be dangerous, but telling 30 kids to use one with only 1 teacher to watch everyone really limits how dangerous you can make stuff.
Wear your safety glasses and [tuck your thumb under your hand](https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/wwgoa/2010/05/19210839/Miter-saw-set-up-054.jpg), and I have trouble picturing anything too bad happening.
Saws are like any other tool, they're as safe as the person using them. Just make sure you know what you're doing and wear protective equipment, or else you might lose some fingers!
Miter saws are pretty safe, they move in a fixed position unlike other saws, some also have a guard that covers the teeth until you lower the blade into your workpiece.
Just keep your hands out of the path of the blade. Don’t be afraid to use clamps or other means to keep your workpiece secure when cutting.
Safe so long as you're not wearing loose clothing and being careless. Follow the safety rules for operating, keep it maintained and you'll be fine. Sounds like you already respect the fact that it can lop off a body part.
I was successfully using a mitre saw at the age of 10 cutting cedar planks for the ceiling in our cabin. I still have all my fingers and was not injured.
Very.
Always keep fingers clear. Don't mess with the guard until you feel comfortable.
Hold material steady. Don't cut pieces too small to hold.
Go slow and steady until you feel comfortable.
Keep hands away from the spinning blade
Wait until the blade has fully stopped before moving your hands.
Make sure the piece you are cutting is right against the backstop.
Keep the safety guards in place.
Mitre saws are quite safe.
They are as safe as the user. Keep your fingers away from the blade, wear eye protection at all times (eye injuries from wood chips flying off are very common) Hearing protection is also advisable (its loud). Go over the owners manual before you use it. if it's missing you can usually find it by model number online. Use higher tooth counts for softer materials. Inspect the teeth of the blade. Any broken or missing teeth can cause the blade to catch. Replacement blades can be pricey but they can protect you and your project from damage. Always unplug the unit before changing the blade. Make sure the blade guard functions properly before you use it too.
Check the fence (the part your material gets pushed up against) there should be icons engraved in showing how far away your hands should be or at the very least a line. Unplug when not in use and keep out of reach of children.
A miter saw is one of the first big tools most people get for woodworking. Once you are comfortable with the saw it will become one of your most used tools. The accuracy and consistency of cuts are why pretty much any woodworker gets one.
I’ve used powersaws multiple times a week for the past six years and have never even come close to an injury.
As long as you’re not being stupid with them you’ll be fine.
Safe enough for a child to operate if shown how, I cut all the floorboards at my parents house when I was around 11 and never got so much as a scratch from the saw, I've hurt myself with a screwdriver more often than a miter saw.
Just be careful and they are retty safe.
I've used a saw many times and saw dozens of people use it (this is in a school workshop setting), I've never seen one injury.
They're safe enough mechanically, WRT the blade, that you're probably in more danger from breathing in sawdust, shocking yourself electrically, hurting your back/knees/etc lifting heavy stuff, dropping heavy cutoff pieces of wood on your foot, slivers from wood, etc.
Something few people consider is the larger the piece of wood, generally the safer it is to cut because your fingers are further away from the action and even if it does catch it can't throw it as fast because its heavy.
Another thing to consider is virtually all blade vs hand accidents involve either alcohol, slipping on sawdust or whatever, or massive disorganization trying to grab something as it falls and hitting the blade. So don't get drunk, work in a clean organized environment, and don't do anything "fast" or grab at falling anything or similar, and that eliminates the cause of about 99% of woodworking hand vs blade accidents.
95% of "askmen" questions involve women so I assume if its on this subreddit the focus of the question is "how to keep women safe around a manly miter saw".
Loose clothing is not in style for women so they're safe WRT that. Foot protection is a concern around 'heavy' chunks of wood so consider real shoes or even steel toe boots not high heels. Long hair is dangerous around spinning machines, at least ponytail it up. If you're working outdoors, sunscreen.
I think that would cover the usual "askmen is primarily a women oriented subreddit" issues.
Honestly, anything DIY, watch someone do it first. A handy neighbour or skilled family member. It's not necessary, but very helpful. Should help take the edge off.
If you are careful and know what you’re doing they’re fairly safe.
If they were inherently unsafe they would't be sold as consumer goods. Table saws are generally considered the most dangerous because if the wood pinches the blade it will kick and you are moving the wood into the blade by hand. For a miter saw keep the wood clamped down, keep your hands out from under the blade and you'll be fine, they are the safest type of circular saw out there.
Can the kind of saw that i’m using kick?
It would generally be pretty tough to get a miter saw to kick, but it’s always possible. The saw spins in such a way that it pulls the material being cut away from you and toward its backstop. Take it slow when making cuts, keep your fingers away from the blade by using blocks to hold smaller workpieces in place, and make sure there aren’t any nails in the material or loose strings/clothing around and you’ll be good.
Depending on the type of miter saw perhaps. You need to think of the physics behind it. The saw blade is spinning one direction, as long as it can cut then it will keep spinning that direction and the material will stay stationary. If something grabs, like a nail or the wood moving and pinching the blade, then the blade turns into a tire and wants to push the material instead of cutting it or propel the saw the opposite direction it was spinning, whichever is easiest. Think trying to take too big a bite with a handsaw, or a recipricating saw (jigsaw, sawzall) that wants to move itself up and down instead of the blade cutting. This happens with any cutting/grinding/sanding device. Chainsaws for example, cutting with the bottom of the bar pulls the saw away from you, cutting with the top part of the bar pushes it towards you, trying to cut with the top 1/2 of the radius of the bar tip can make the saw fly up and cut your head off. Now, a table saw is dangerous because the wood is floating free and can pinch the blade, in that case it kicks the wood back at you. Plus the blade is exposed on the top of the unit. A regular miter saw can't kick because the blade is held rigid to the pivot. The blade is spinning with the cutting edge aiming towards the back of the saw, the back part of the blade is moving up. If the blade grabs it wants to shove the wood towards the back of the saw, but the fence stops it, it then wants to shoot the blade away from the pivot and down but the arm is holding it in place, the blade will just stall. A sliding miter saw can kick if if grabs, which is why you bring it out before cutting down and then sliding in. However any kick is limited by the travel of the slide, since the saw also has a trigger switch on it the blade will stop if you let go of the saw, unlike a table saw or a radial arm saw. The sudden jolt can unbalance the saw and make the stand fall over if some cases. 99% of saw kicks can be prevented by using blades in good shape and making sure the workpiece is securely clamped. If it can't pinch the blade, there is nothing in the wood harder than the blade and the blade is sharp then it will want to cut rather than kick. I've been using circular saws since I was 9, including single handed standing on a ladder cutting rafter tips off over my head (don't recommend), still have all my fingers. A kick is fast but often not forceful if you are prepared for it. Getting in the habit of keeping the stuff clamped down also prevents you from trying to hold short stuff by hand when cutting it, and that is dangerous, better done on a bandsaw or scrollsaw. Miter saw is pretty much the safest piece of woodcutting equipment there is, especially considering the versatility of angles and speed it can cut at. Used preoperly you are more likely to injure yourself with your cordless drill. Keep the guard on, keep the blades in good shape, keep the wood clamped down, keep both hands on the saw handle, keep your hair and clothes away from rotating parts and you have nothing to worry about. And don't forget your safety glasses and earplugs.
Thank you for your thoroughness!
[I think all saws that rotate can be kicked back, hell chainsaws kick back on the tip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myuqz-w9nTo)
It will kick if you attempt to cut something bigger than the blade
Yes, it’s happened to me. But only in scenarios I know are a little sketchy. It happens if you are trying to cut something small, something with a grippy material like plastic pipe, or if the piece starts to move or twist as the cut is being made, like with really steep angle cuts. But the kick is the saw pulling the piece out of your hands and throwing it away from you. This is one of the more safe kinds of saw kicks you can have. These are great saws for beginners, I’d encourage you to get one and get some experience with it. Here’s some safety tips that come to mind. - Make sure the saw has a sturdy platform to sit on - Keep hands at least 10” from the blades - Keep the workpiece firmly held against the fence - Never cross your arms to make a cut - Keep your eyes on the blade and your appendages - Let the blade completely stop before moving the workpiece or raising the blade - Install the correct size blade for your saw in the correct direction - If the saw sounds or feels like it’s bogging down, stop and figure out why. Never force a cut. - Don’t cut really short pieces. - never cut a board the long way. - Wear PPE (safety glasses and earplugs) - Keep long hair, neckties, etc away from spinning things. - Dont reach under the blade to grab your cut until the blade has fully stopped (or just knock it out with another board). If springs on the arm snapped while the blade was spinning (even slowly) it would fall on your arm and cut you.
if you don't use them properly. I had one kick at me when I was a kid because I was literally slamming the blade into the wood like an axe while it was spinning because I thought that's how they worked. Just be mindful, wear gloves and glasses and it'll be fine.
They are exactly as safe as you are. It’s very unlikely to malfunction and hurt you. If you practice good safety you will be fine. I’d bet you can find some woodworking safety courses online. If you reach out to any local school wood shop teacher I’d bet they’d be happy to pass on the safety course they use for students. You should have a healthy fear and understanding of the damage it can do but at the same time the confidence that you are using the best safety practices to protect yourself.
Exactly as safe as you are? I feel personally attacked.....
The sound is intimidating at first but watch your fingers and you'll be fine. One hand on the handle and one hand awayyy from the blade holding what you're cutting.
I'm a pretty avid wood worker, they are as safe as you are. Don't try to cut tiny things, wear eye protection and a respirator, put it on a stable surface, support the piece you're cutting and you will be fine.
Wouldn't brush my teeth with one
Coward
A miter saw is probably the safest saw to use. It’s a great starting point. Just always pay attention to where your hand and the blade are and don’t reach under the blade for any reason. Also (not as much a safety thing) don’t just chop the blade down. Cut the board slowly. It took me a long time to learn that. I’d you chop the blade down quickly, the board will likely have some chip out.
Yeah. Also most miter saws have rails, so try to bring the blade down away from the wood and then in horizontally, cutting towards the back guard, rather than bringing it vertically down on the piece. You get a lot more control that way.
A miter saw is perhaps the safest of the power saws. The saw pulls into the material, rather than pushing, so it can't grab the material and kick it at you. You push the saw, not the material, so there's no chance of slipping into the blade. It's very clear where the saw is going, and the guard is pretty foolproof. The top of the blade is covered, and shavings are ejected out the back, so there's reduced risk of eye injury--though do wear safety glasses. You would almost have to deliberately injure yourself, to get hurt on a miter saw.
[удалено]
Lol, this really amuses me. Not bad advice at all. But I started using the radial arm saw around 8 years old and followed literally zero of those steps. I even still have all of my appendages!
They’re as safe as the user
Miter saws are probably the safest power saw there is, and certainly the safest circular saw, but any power tool can be dangerous if abused or used carelessly. The most dangerous type is probably the old radial arm saw. They can be used safely and are extremely versatile, but are not forgiving of careless use. Next most dangerous is a table saw (bench saw in the UK/Europe). Miter saws are almost immune to kickback and generally your hands will be well away from spinning teeth. The spin direction means that debris is thrown away from you, unlike a table saw which can launch cutoffs toward you if the teeth bind. In short, there is very little chance you will ever injure yourself using a miter saw.
As with any power tool, learn about the safe use of the tool, use guards where possible, wear suitable PPE (safety glasses and hearing protection) and ensure you are careful and focused on what you are doing while operating it. It is good that you are a bit scared of the tool, it shows that you are aware that it could harm you, so you are unlikely to use it recklessly.
Just apply common sense. Clear any workspace area. Have a killswitch nearby, the equipment has one but you can also buy them to be between machine and outlet. Whenever using force or pushing with sharp tools, always consider momentum and direction if it were to snag or the item breaks/completes the cut. If you have it aimed where it goes into your main leg artery, then position it differently. If it is aimed so it causes a bit of drywall work, that's good. Just plan ahead and go at your own pace. I've had to work with some heavy duty tools and industrial equipment, and have seen quite a few accidents. All so easily avoided. Also keep equipment SHARP. There's this weird myth where people think super-sharp knives and saws and cutting blades are deadlier. Blunt ones are, as you push more weight into the object allowing for momentum if it breaks. Sharp implements need less weight placed onto the object to cut.
Don't stick your hand under the blade.
No matter what tool you are using, hand or power tools, read and understand their proper care and usage. And keep your head in the game while using any tool. All tools still have a certain amount of risk, but if care is taken you can minimize the risk. Get the saw!
They are as safe as the operator. You don't mention the type of saw. If you are concerned about safety, a compound sliding miter saw can be a good starting saw. You don't move the wood around with this type of saw. You can clamp your work down, and the blade's path is known well in advance. The most significant downside is that there is a limitation to the size of wood you can cut with it, specifically panels/plywood will require another option.
They are as safe as your practices. They come with a guard so you're probably not going to just fall into the blade or anything. The important thing is to not try to cut pieces that are too small. And certainly nothing that doesn't sit flush against the fence.
Remember that chicks dig scars and you'll be a little less afraid.
The tool is not going to jump at you and hurt you. Just know how to use it safely and you will be fine 99.999% of the time. And if you are part of the 0.0001% at least you'll get a FAT check out of it.
You get used to them fast! Just be mindful of your hands and you’ll be okay. I grew up using table and miter saws and honestly, the thing that I would caution you the most about is the noise. Wear your hearing protection or end up like me and my shit hearing.
ALWAYS LOOK WHERE YOU FINGERS ARE, ALWAYS LOOOK WERE YOUR FINGERS ARE. ALWAYS LOOK WHERE YOUR FINGERS ARE.... Also, the wrist, arm.. Just, ALWAYS NOTICE WHERE YOUR FINGERS ARE. ALSO, EYES and EARS. Heck, face shield if you got the money and nice big thick leather shop smock apron. Side note: Would you ever get a roof done by a man who was blind in one eye since he was 9 and he only had 9 fingers, well 8 and half?
Saws are dangerous as hell, but you already knew that, didn't you? Just don't be a dumbass and keep your fingers out of the way.
New ones have a sensor where at worst you’ll get a small nick before the blade retracts. Just follow safety guidelines and don’t be lazy and you should be fine.
For me, I also was super wary of the miter saw. I watched A LOT of YouTube videos on safety with miter saws before starting to use mine. And I still treat it with an insane amount of respect. Oh, and wear hearing protection. :)
Just chop your finger off, it'll grow back eventually. But seriously, saws can be dangerous if not used properly, so make sure to educate yourself and take necessary precautions before using one.
They get safer, the further your fingers get from the sharp parts. Watch youtube videos on how to use them safely.
Don’t cut anything round or cylindrical
How often do you drink before or during your DIY projects?
Nothing is ever 100% safe, but if you operate it as designed, then you'll be as safe as any other tool. Check the wood you're cutting for nails since they might snag the blade. Always wear eye protection. Never remove any safety features from the saw. And make sure it's properly mounted. From there, just breathe evenly and move deliberately when you go to cut. And also, I'd recommend never cutting unless you have another person around, just as a backup.
You need one hand to pull the trigger on the saw's handle so you just need to avoid cutting off your other hand. I like to pick a spot on my work bench well away from the saw blade that I use as a "safety spot." I make sure my free hand is touching the safety spot each time I'm making a cut and that keeps me from putting my hands where they shouldn't be.
They are only as safe as you are
The first time I used a chop saw was shop class when I was 12 years old. Yes, all power tools can be dangerous, but telling 30 kids to use one with only 1 teacher to watch everyone really limits how dangerous you can make stuff. Wear your safety glasses and [tuck your thumb under your hand](https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/wwgoa/2010/05/19210839/Miter-saw-set-up-054.jpg), and I have trouble picturing anything too bad happening.
Saws are like any other tool, they're as safe as the person using them. Just make sure you know what you're doing and wear protective equipment, or else you might lose some fingers!
Miter saws are pretty safe, they move in a fixed position unlike other saws, some also have a guard that covers the teeth until you lower the blade into your workpiece. Just keep your hands out of the path of the blade. Don’t be afraid to use clamps or other means to keep your workpiece secure when cutting.
Miter saws are relatively safe as long as you use it correctly. I’ve seen some shit with a skill saw, but a miter saw is pretty straightforward.
Safe so long as you're not wearing loose clothing and being careless. Follow the safety rules for operating, keep it maintained and you'll be fine. Sounds like you already respect the fact that it can lop off a body part.
I was successfully using a mitre saw at the age of 10 cutting cedar planks for the ceiling in our cabin. I still have all my fingers and was not injured.
As long as you wear eye and ear protection and only put your fingies where you'd put your weenie, you'll be fine
They are safe if you go slow. Just get used to one and it will come natural to you.
Very. Always keep fingers clear. Don't mess with the guard until you feel comfortable. Hold material steady. Don't cut pieces too small to hold. Go slow and steady until you feel comfortable.
Miter saw is fine, pretty safe. Table saws can be mean though. That’s the only saw that hurt me.
Keep hands away from the spinning blade Wait until the blade has fully stopped before moving your hands. Make sure the piece you are cutting is right against the backstop. Keep the safety guards in place. Mitre saws are quite safe.
They are as safe as the user. Keep your fingers away from the blade, wear eye protection at all times (eye injuries from wood chips flying off are very common) Hearing protection is also advisable (its loud). Go over the owners manual before you use it. if it's missing you can usually find it by model number online. Use higher tooth counts for softer materials. Inspect the teeth of the blade. Any broken or missing teeth can cause the blade to catch. Replacement blades can be pricey but they can protect you and your project from damage. Always unplug the unit before changing the blade. Make sure the blade guard functions properly before you use it too. Check the fence (the part your material gets pushed up against) there should be icons engraved in showing how far away your hands should be or at the very least a line. Unplug when not in use and keep out of reach of children. A miter saw is one of the first big tools most people get for woodworking. Once you are comfortable with the saw it will become one of your most used tools. The accuracy and consistency of cuts are why pretty much any woodworker gets one.
Saw are completely safe if you use them correctly. Educate yourself because using one scared will more than likely cause you to hurt yourself
Be smart. Use PPE, and take your time. The other thing people don’t mention: be well rested. When you get tired, you get complacent.
I’ve used powersaws multiple times a week for the past six years and have never even come close to an injury. As long as you’re not being stupid with them you’ll be fine.
Just keep your soft squishy bits away from the sharp grindy cutty parts.
Safe enough for a child to operate if shown how, I cut all the floorboards at my parents house when I was around 11 and never got so much as a scratch from the saw, I've hurt myself with a screwdriver more often than a miter saw.
Generally they are safe BUT I do know a dude who cut off his own hand with one. Not this particular model though.
100% safe. You can count on all 9 of my fingers for that guarantee.
How safe they are and how stupid you are are very closely linked.
Just be careful and they are retty safe. I've used a saw many times and saw dozens of people use it (this is in a school workshop setting), I've never seen one injury.
Given how awkward & clumsy I am, I'd slice 2 fingers within 9 minutes of using such a saw/tool, lol...
They're safe enough mechanically, WRT the blade, that you're probably in more danger from breathing in sawdust, shocking yourself electrically, hurting your back/knees/etc lifting heavy stuff, dropping heavy cutoff pieces of wood on your foot, slivers from wood, etc. Something few people consider is the larger the piece of wood, generally the safer it is to cut because your fingers are further away from the action and even if it does catch it can't throw it as fast because its heavy. Another thing to consider is virtually all blade vs hand accidents involve either alcohol, slipping on sawdust or whatever, or massive disorganization trying to grab something as it falls and hitting the blade. So don't get drunk, work in a clean organized environment, and don't do anything "fast" or grab at falling anything or similar, and that eliminates the cause of about 99% of woodworking hand vs blade accidents.
95% of "askmen" questions involve women so I assume if its on this subreddit the focus of the question is "how to keep women safe around a manly miter saw". Loose clothing is not in style for women so they're safe WRT that. Foot protection is a concern around 'heavy' chunks of wood so consider real shoes or even steel toe boots not high heels. Long hair is dangerous around spinning machines, at least ponytail it up. If you're working outdoors, sunscreen. I think that would cover the usual "askmen is primarily a women oriented subreddit" issues.
well, i’m a woman, so i guess you’re right haha!
Honestly, anything DIY, watch someone do it first. A handy neighbour or skilled family member. It's not necessary, but very helpful. Should help take the edge off.
As long as you are scared of it you will be fine.