Miter Saw Safety

[gmackelburg]

Miter saw user manuals say that workpieces should be securely clamped for safety, and that pieces too small for that should not be cut on those saws.  This video shows why that's important - and also suggests a potentially ineffective and unsafe workaround if not done properly.  IMO shop users should always use the vertical vise to secure workpieces when using the shop's miter saw.

[gmackelburg]

I found the video in my May 5th "Miter Saw Safety" post really disturbing, so I made and installed some near zero clearance sliding fences and usage placards for the shop's miter saw.  As shown in the attached image, the first two pages of the attached "Makita LS1219L Placard A.pdf" were hung from the left and right sides of the enclosure since they contain guidance for all usages.  The third page provides guidance on how to temporarily relocate the fences for miter and bevel cuts.  Unless someone (hopefully!) beats me to it, I plan to put a laminated copy of it in the drawer adjacent to the saw along with the (purposely) required nut driver.  My hope is that following the provided procedures will help ensure that things get done properly and safely.  It's likely that some members will require encouragement and/or assistance from Shift Supervisors to do that, so please let me know if you have questions or suggestions.

Also, there's lots of useful information on how to use that awesome saw and its many useful features effectively and safely in the attached manual.

[Rick VanHatten]

Bought a hold down stick for the shop after watching the video.  It serves the same function as the one we have but I like the 3 points of contact point.

 Thanks

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Rick VanHatten
707-372-8059

[gmackelburg]

My research and experience suggest that clamps/vises are the only right way to hold workpieces on miter saws - especially in places like the member shop!  Using them properly provides the best results and is much safer than those "hold downs", even with zero-clearance fences.  The hold-downs will likely also encourage people to try to cut workpieces that are too small to cut properly and safely on the miter saw.

The vertical vise that came with that saw currently doesn't work properly.  The attachment explains why, shows a workaround, as well as where to get a replacement at a reasonable price (less than three of those hold-downs!).  If the old one can't be repaired, maybe its hold/release lever should be glued to keep it in the hold position?

[gmackelburg]

As shown in the 20240601_152955.jpg attachment, an easy-to-use quick release vertical vise was added to the left side of the miter saw.  Dara used it extensively today and said that he likes it.  The previously mentioned placard providing guidance for adjusting the vertical fences (which Dara didn't need/have) was placed in the drawer along with a real nut-driver, as shown in the 20240601_152959.jpg attachment.

[gmackelburg]

The attached "2024-05-11 Kerf Plate Issue" image suggests that the buildup of cutoffs under the miter saws kerf plates can cause problems.  Yesterday's "2024-06-02 Buildup" image suggests that such buildup should probably be removed more frequently to help prevent recurrence.  "2024-06-02 Buildup Removed" shows that doing so is relatively easy.

 

[Lynn Welling]

All,

 I’d appreciate a last minute swap for my 10-1 tomorrow, 8/8. My father-in-law is having urgent heart surgery, and I’m the medical rep for the family. Sorry for the last minute request, greatly appreciate your help. 

Thanks,

Lynn

Lynn Welling, MD

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From: sdfwa-shift...@sdfwa.org <sdfwa-shift...@sdfwa.org> on behalf of gmackelburg <gmack...@san.rr.com>
Sent: Monday, June 3, 2024 11:37:53 AM
To: SDFWA Shift Supervisors <sdfwa-shift...@sdfwa.org>
Cc: gmackelburg <gmack...@san.rr.com>; rvanh...@gmail.com <rvanh...@gmail.com>; SDFWA Shift Supervisors <sdfwa-shift...@sdfwa.org>; Ronald Lacy <rlacy...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [SS Group] Re: Miter Saw Safety

 

The attached "2024-05-11 Kerf Plate Issue" image suggests that the buildup of cutoffs under the miter saws kerf plates can cause problems.  Yesterday's "2024-06-02 Buildup" image suggests that such buildup should probably be removed more frequently to help prevent recurrence.  "2024-06-02 Buildup Removed" shows that doing so is relatively easy.

 

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[Lynn Welling]

All,

Please cancel this request, I will be able to cover the shift. Thanks for considering! 

Lynn

Lynn Welling, MD

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From: Lynn Welling <docl...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 3:04:49 PM

To: SDFWA Shift Supervisors <sdfwa-shift...@sdfwa.org>

Cc: SDFWA Shift Supervisors <sdfwa-shift...@sdfwa.org>
Subject: Shift Supervisor Swap

 

[gmackelburg]

The second half of the attached usage placards has been updated to reflect changes intended to simplify adjustment of the sacrificial fences (so they hopefully last longer) as well as show how the associated auxiliary stop blocks should be installed.  A two-sided laminated copy of those updates has been placed in the saw's adjacent accessories drawer along with the fence stop block and the removable top half of the table stop block.