How to Cut and Saw Items Safely

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  • Author Allan Young
  • Published October 19, 2009
  • Word count 786

When you are cutting and sawing items, whether you are using products like a laser scissors, a food slicing tool, or a regular saw, there are several things that you should keep in mind. It goes without saying that working with items that are sharp can be very dangerous, so you want to be sure that you are doing it correctly. Doing so will ensure that you are not injured, and that the items you cut are not damaged.

Assess Your Needs

The first step in being able to cut and saw items safely is that you need to assess your own cutting and sawing needs. When you have a project such as fabric that needs to be cut, or a piece of wood, metal, or plastic that needs to be cut to a different size, or even a food item that has to be sliced, it is important to know exactly what you are up against and what your needs are going to be. For instance, you would not need to use the same type of tool or method to cut fabric as if you would need to slice a watermelon. Therefore, the first step you need to master in cutting and sawing is to safely assess the various needs that you have for the project.

Choose a Tool

Once you figure out what it is you are exactly trying to do, it is time to choose a tool that will help you get the job done. This is going to be quite easy for some projects and much more difficult for others as there are many different cutting tools that you can use, each of which is going to provide you with a different type of cut. For instance, with foods, you will want to choose a good slicer that can easily cut the foods for you. For wood or other materials, a good metal cutting saw will come in handy. For fabric or paper, you will want to use a tool like a pair of laser scissors as they project a light beam across whatever you are cutting to ensure precision on long cuts.

Choose an Appropriate Workspace

The next step in being able to cut and saw safely is to choose a workspace that is best situated for you and for your needs. It is important that the workspace is clean, free of clutter, and provides you access to the necessary tools that you need to get the job done. For example, for a large sawing project, you would need a workbench, or some other place where you had ample room to move about freely. If you are cutting something small with a laser scissors, working on a clutter free table is probably all the space you need. Once you have chosen your workspace, you will be able to easily and safely begin your project.

Protect Yourself

The most important part to cutting and sawing is that you safely protect yourself from any dangers that might possibly occur. For instance, when you are cutting something that is sharp like glass or metal, be sure to always wear protective gear such as a mask, gloves, and a hard hat. Also, when cutting something using a saw or slicer, be sure that you wear protective eye wear like goggles so that nothing gets into your eyes. It is also a good idea that you wear ear gear when you are using a saw as they are often quite loud and can damage your hearing. Also, when cutting, keep children, pets, and anyone else to be close by, away from the area where the cutting or sawing is taking place. It is important that you take these proper precautions so that no one, including yourself, will get hurt during the activity.

Know How to Handle Tools

Lastly, in order to cut and saw safely, it is important for you to be able to handle the tools you will be using correctly. As previously stated, when you are sawing and cutting, you want to be sure that you never putting yourself into any kind of danger. Always remember to carry a pair of scissors with the point end down and with your fingers held firmly over the closed cutting section. When handling a saw, you want to carry it with the serrated end of it pointing down. And perhaps the most important thing to remember when handling tools or equipment of this nature is to never run or do anything with them other than their intended purpose.

Being careful and taking the proper precautions are the best ways to make sure that you and others around you remain safe when engaging in cutting and sawing activities.

Allan Young is a freelance writer and blogger who writes about home improvement and maintenance, often focusing on specific products such as the Dual Saw .

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