Bandsaw Cutoffs: Dealing with an Unsafe Distraction
by Phil Colson
Woodturner
How do you handle all those cutoff pieces from the bandsaw when preparing stock for your projects?
There always seems to be a lot of leftover material you could use for smaller projects in the
future. What you don't want to have happen is that you start looking at and wondering about the
cutoffs while you are still cutting for your present project. It's just not safe.
Try placing a trash bin directly behind the bandsaw and push the cutoff pieces off the back of the
bandsaw table into the bin. It will keep the table clear and you won't get distracted. Sometime in
the future you can go through the bin and resaw the scraps into useful pieces and then empty the
rest into your "how do I get rid of all these scraps?" container.
Always keep your focus when standing at the bandsaw, and never put your hands near the blade until
it is COMPLETELY stopped. I have sliced both a finger and thumb breaking that simple rule. No
feeling in both digits, but they are very useful in picking up hot objects.
Phil can be reached directly via email at
woodturnerphil@gmail.com.
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