Band Saw

I. Competencies

Given a properly adjusted band saw, instruction and demonstration of use, each student
will be able to:

A. Identify the major parts of the band saw.

B. Pass a written test on the safety and operating procedures of the band saw with
100% accuracy.

C. Demonstrate the ability to use the bandsaw while observing all safety rules
and correct operating procedures.

II. Instructional Materials and Procedures

A. Identification of Basic Bandsaw Parts

1. Blade 6. Table Insert 12. Guide

Tensioning 7. Table Angle Locking
Screw Scale Screw
2. Blade 8. Switch 13. Blade
Cover 9. Work Lamp 14. Blade
3. Arm 10. Guide Post Guides
4. Thrust 11. Guide Post 15. Blade Slot
Bearing Locking 16. Miter Gage
5. Table Screw Slot

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B. Band Saw Safety

1. Remove tie, rings, watch, and other jewelry, and roll up sleeves above the elbows.
Remove all loose outer clothing and confine long hair. Protective type footwear
should be worn. Do not wear gloves when operating the bandsaw.

2. Wear an approved safety shield, goggles or glasses to protect the eyes.

3. Keep the table and floor around the machine clean and free of scrap
material, chips, oil, grease, coolant, tools or accessories to minimize the danger of
slipping or tripping.

4. Keep guards in place at all times. The blade guard should be from 1/8 to ¼
inch above stock. Keep hands away from blade and do not open upper or
lower bandsaw doors while blade is in motion. Maintain a balanced stance
and keep your body under control at all times; do not overreach.

5. Use only blades that are in good condition. Blades that are not sharp or have
missing teeth can require excessive force and increase the chance of an accident.

6. Make all adjustments with the power off. Disconnect the power for any
service, maintenance or blade changes on the bandsaw.

7. Give the work your undivided attention. Looking around, carrying on a

conversation and horseplay are careless acts which can result in serious injury.

8. Upon completion of a job, clean the bandsaw and work area. Never clean the
machine with the power on and never use hands to clean up chips and saw dust;
use a brush.

9. Do not allow the hand or fingers to come closer than 2 inches to the blade.

C. Bandsaw Operating Procedures

1. Select the proper blade width, refer to a chart which gives the blade width
for minimum radii cuts.

2. The teeth on the blade of a properly installed bandsaw should point downward in
the direction of blade travel.

3. Check tension and tracking of the blade frequently, make adjustments as

needed. Disconnect power and turn wheels by hand to see if the blade is
tracking in the middle of the wheel.

4. Be sure material being sawed is free of nails, paint and other obstructions.

5. Plan your cuts carefully. Lay out work clearly, use relief cuts, and avoid
backouts.

6. Do not cut stock until the machine is running at full speed.

7. Always place stock flat on the bandsaw table.

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8. Do not force the stock into the blade at a rate faster than it can be readily cut.

9. If sawing freehand, use one hand to guide the stock into the blade and the other
hand to push the stock into the blade. DO NOT PUSH STOCK WITH
HANDS IN LINE WITH THE BLADE.

10. Do not place excess stress on the blade by twisting the stock, cut curves
gradually.

11. If a problem develops and the blade has to be backed out, shut off the
machine and wait until the blade has stopped.

12. If the blade breaks, shut off the power and move away from the machine.
Never try to free a blade while the wheels are turning.

13. An indication of a cracked blade is a rhythmic click as the cracked portion

of the blade passes through the wood.

14. Cylindrical stock should be mounted in a holding device to keep it from

spinning and crowding the blade while being cut.

15. Make sure the band saw has stopped before leaving it.

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III. Written Test
Bandsaw Safety and Operations Test

NAME____________________ DATE__________________ CLASS_______________

Multiple choice – Place the letter of the most correct answer on the answer sheet.

1. The guards on the band saw should be adjusted to be approximately __________.

a. 1/16 to 1/8 inch above the stock

b. 1/8 to ¼ inch above the stock
c. ¼ to ½ inch above the stock
d. ½ to 1 inch above the stock

2. When sawing small stock, you should always use a ___________.

a. push stick
b. line guard
c. hand rail
d. round guide

3. The blade on the band saw should be installed with the teeth pointing _________.

a. downward for cutting hardwood only

b. upward for cutting softwood only
c. upward for cutting both softwood and hardwood
d. downward for cutting both softwood and hardwood

4. Relief cuts are cuts made with the band saw. They __________.

a. are cuts made in a hurry

b. prevent the blade from binding
c. are special cuts for hardwood
d. are special cuts for softwood

5. In freehand cutting on the band saw, it is safe to ___________.

a. hold round stock in the hand

b. force stock around the curves
c. place stock flat on the table
d. back out of curved cuts

6. It is safe to place the hand in line with the blade of the band saw __________.

a. only when the machine is not operating

b. only when the hand is more than 2” from blade
c. only when the hand is more than 4” from blade
d. only when the hand is more than 6” from blade

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7. While operating the band saw, it is a safe practice to _____________.

a. open bandsaw covers very carefully

b. reach across material being cut on table
c. maintain a balanced stance at all times
d. wait until the end of class to clean up scraps

8. Which of the following is the correct procedure to determine if the blade is

operating on the middle of the band saw wheel?

a. Turn the wheel by hand to check

b. Turn on power for very short periods
c. Open wheel covers while it is coasting
d. Open wheel covers as brake is applied

9. When you give work your individual attention, you __________.

a. look around
b. talk to your helper
c. concentrate on the work at hand
d. think about assignment for next period

10. The correct blade width to use for a specific job depends on __________.

a. how fast you want to cut

b. the radius of the cut
c. what blade is available
d. type of material to be cut

11. The best time to remove scrap material from the band saw is ___________.

a. when the saw stops

b. as you work
c. after excessive scrap build-up
d. depends on job

12. If necessary to back the blade out of a cut __________.

a. leave the power on so it comes out smoothly

b. turn the power off and then free the blade
c. leave the power on and loosen the blade tension
d. leave the power on but use brake to reduce speed

13. If too much cutting pressure has to be applied to get a cut, the blade __________.

a. is dull
b. is too loose
c. needs readjusting
d. guides need adjusting

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14. If you hear a rhythmic click as the wood is being cut, this usually indicates that:

a. tension is too tight

b. tension is too loose
c. blade is cracked
d. blade is hardened

15. If the blade breaks on the band saw, shut off the power and ___________.

a. try to remove blade

b. put on the brake
c. move away quickly
d. remove your work

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IV. Performance Test for Band Saw
Student_______________________

The student performs the following while using the band saw:
Yes No N/A
1. Safety glasses are worn. ___ ____ ____

2. Safety guards are kept in place. ___ ____ ____

3. The table is cleared of other materials. ___ ____ ____

4. Clothing and jewelry are not hazardous. ___ ____ ____

5. The guard is 1/8-1/4 inch above stock. ___ ____ ____

6. The stock is fed properly into band saw. ___ ____ ____

7. All adjustments are made with power off. ___ ____ ____

8. The band saw and the work area are cleaned after use. ___ ____ ____

9. Work procedures are safe and acceptable. ___ ____ ____

10. Correct procedures are used when cutting stock. ___ ____ ____

Comments_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

I do hereby certify that the student has satisfactorily demonstrated the ability to operator the band
saw by passing the above performance test.

________________________ _________ ______________________ _________

Signed (Student) Date Signed (Teacher) Date

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 BANDSAW PARTS IDENTIFICATION TEST

Name ____________________________

Match the number of each band saw part with the correct part name.

___ 1. Work ___ 7. Miter ___ 13. Blade

Lamp Gage Tensioning
___ 2. Thrust Slot Screw
Bearing ___ 8. Switch ___ 14. Guide
___ 3. Guide ___ 9. Table Locking
Post ___ 10. Blade Screw
Locking Cover ___ 15. Table
Screw ___ 11. Blade Angle
___ 4. Guide Guides Scale
Post ___ 12. Blade ___ 16. Table
___ 5. Blade Slot Insert
___ 6. Arm

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