The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Using Cutoff Saws

Have you guys noticed how often on the TV auto shows like Bitchin rides and FantomWorks (like both of those shows BTW) the metal guys use cutoff saws, both air and electric without a guard, and usually without a big ole face shield. I just don't get it. I'm not a professional, but I'm even nervous using mine with a guard and face shield and try to stay out of axis of rotation. What am I missing? Those darn things would go right through you if for some reason failed and came apart.

Allen
I don't watch those shows and may not even get them on our Satellite.
But, They should promote safety first.
I have used many grinders of all kinds over the years and have some explode for no reason.
Always, stay out of the "line of fire" when operating power equipment.
I can go on and on about shop SAFETY!

Don

My wife used to work at a hospital and has seen xrays of some guy's skull with part of a cutoff wheel stuck in it.

I've seen youtube videos of a guy welding patches on without ANY protection, not even dark glasses. I felt like yelling at him thru the screen.

Yup ........no guard no face protection.............might get you this:

Ouch

Allen:
Happened to me. I just needed to touch something up real quick. Luckily I was wearing my reading glasses and it shattered the glasses, I only got a minor cut. But for a minute or so I thought I lost sight out of that eye. The reason it happened was because I "twisted" the blade just a bit while it was cutting. And I knew better. Never again, I always wear a face shield now. Great advice.
don

I am really amazed that OSHA allows the filming to continue w/o safety guards, shields and/or glasses. Just plain stupid and is teaching the youngsters bad habits. Most of the DIY shows are the same.

Most cutoff wheels wear so quickly that a guard on the grinder is impractical, but that makes wearing a face shield and a pair of Kevlar gloves and long sleeves much more important while using one. I cheat a little by using a bigger disc than my angle grinder is designed for and machining a bigger center hole bushing. (4.5" disc on a 3.5" angle grinder) Just don't bog the disc down or get it into a bind, and NEVER use a cutoff wheel instead of an angle grinding wheel for smoothing or weld bead polishing!
Jerry

I have a piece of 4" cutoff wheel from a guardless angle grinder stuck in the drywall of my shop as a grim reminder of not being stupid. I have no idea when it happened. It is about 7 feet high, above a shelf.
Carl

I feel like I'm living on the edge enough by having an angle grinder from Harbor Freight and using one of their cutoff wheels. I've got a little more to do on my door, but none of it will be done with a cutoff wheel. I'm down to grinding welds and smoothing them out. So grinding wheel and flap disc from here on!

I have been working in my home shop for forty years and never gave it a thought. Usually don't even wear safety glasses. After viewing the link showkey posted I am going out and getting a full face shield.

The Ethanol plant I worked at, wouldn't even allow them to be used. Being a subcontractor, I would sneak one in every once in awhile.

When I was younger, I would use them without any safety gear whatsoever. Now that I have a family to think about and a lot more responsibility, it's a different story.

Here is how I think these handy little cutoff wheels "explode". While making some cuts in some 20ga stock I inadvertently allowed the side grinder to rapidly pull into the stock. The wheel still held together and remained balanced, but look at this big gouge that certainly could have led to an explosion.

[img]http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/3285/IMG_17093.JPG[/img]

I always wear a full face shield when operating anything that spins.

Another hazard is exceeding the rated speed for a particular disc. I've got a couple of air powered die grinders that can spin at 20K RPM or faster, depending on air pressure and volume. I have a 1/4" diameter mandrel that's made for attaching a cutoff wheel, and I can see where even a slight fracture at that speed would turn it into shrapnel. I ONLY use 3" discs rated for very high speed with that setup.
Jerry

Along with the proper face mask, goggles, gloves, etc. INSPECT YOUR TOOLS!! The tools aren't designed to last forever and the consumables that attach to them definitely aren't! A good habit to be in is to inspect them before each use or each job!

Prescription glasses offer some degree of protection, but best to use a face shield. Sparks will ruin your expensive glasses - it's cheaper to buy a new face shield. Don't forget to take your watch off too!

I have had some bad explosions from the blade passing through the metal I was cutting and hitting some metal that was hidden underneath, binding the blade. Kablooie!

I did have one of the cutoff's for my Dremel catch and break. Since they are rather dainty to begin with, I'm assuming that's what saved a blowup. The inner ring isn't very sturdy and if the wheel catches, it will spin the inner part free of the wheel itself.

The Dremel cutoff wheels are small enough to fail without a great deal of danger, but a good pair of safety glasses (with side shields) or a face shield should still be used. It's the big ones, 3,4,and 4.5 inch designed for mini angle grinders that can get dangerous due to speed and inertia. Those things are downright scary. Another hazard is losing control of the tool and letting the spinning wheel contact skin or clothing- - - -it cuts deep and leaves nasty residue in the cut in an instant.
Jerry

One of the most dangerous wheels is the Speed Cut a 6" wheel. It is really thin any flex and they will come apart I have had them come apart cutting S/S and also just getting ready to cut by turning it on. I had a neighbor who used to put Brick Blades on his cutoff saw as they cut steel really quick. He wore a scar form the wrist up to the upper arm muscle. It opened up a cut from his wrist to the upper muscle to the bone three inches wide just like you filet a fish. Be careful on what type blades you buy. just my thoughts here gentalman.
62blue
Don

I have a scar on my finger to prove that
And that was only from a grinding wheel. Didn't bleed much since it cut and cauterized at the same time.

There is a guy that writes for a off road magizine he is a talented writer mechanic/metal fabracater. He only wears sandles and every time he is welding you can see this. Some readers told him he was seting a bad example and he said he could do what ever he want.I lost all respect for him after that i bet he has alot of young guys that look up to him and if he used safty gear they would have to.

That guy is nuts. I've done a dance or two after getting cutting torch slag down between my shoe and sock. Not fun at all. Ruins a good pair of socks, let alone leaving tattoo marks on my ankle.
Last time that happened, I've been thinking about getting some gaiters to keep the hot stuff from getting in there.

Showkey....thank you for that post...I will buy a face shield tomorrow....

Here's what a zip-disc did to me when my running board shifted. It went right through my welding glove like butter. Yes, that's the tendon you see in the hole on my hand. It just missed the tendon. When I was 9, my dad had a similar chainsaw/chop saw accident and cut all the finger tendons in the back of his left hand. Surgeries later he was lucky that he was able to still use his hand. When I did this, the first thing I tried was to wriggle my finger...whew...relief, I didn't cut the tendon.

DONT BE STUPID, PUT ON THE GEAR OR GET OUT.

https://goo.gl/photos/k7Q5PG4oscqQpS2d9

Wow!
OUCH!
Good reminder that shop safety comes first.
Grinders, torches, welders and about any shop tool WILL hurt you bad, if not handled with respect.
Combo wrench has got me many times.
Be aware of what you are doing at all times.

Thanks
Don

You need more than superglue to close that one up. My superglue limit is when you can see moving parts.

That cut was my first and only set of stitches I've ever received. Dr. put in 5 stitches and it healed up very nicely.

No need to get fancy power tools and high speeds to get hurt. High school wood shop. Hand tools only. My buddy was blowing sawdust off a friend. The air found a cut blew it up right on his arm. Never saw a blister that big ever again. It hurt too. Think. Ask, 'is it safe" and take care. Learn from others(pain free) and slow down. I have done plenty of dumb things. Been lucky too. Still can learn how to be safe.

Some bib overalls or a welding jacket is recommended too. Those wheels will go right through a T shirt.

Ever since I cut my hand wide open (severing nerves and tendons), I've been buying cut resistant gloves. Leather gloves are OK, but can be cumbersome.

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