Abrasive Chop Saws

What should you do before using a metal saw?

Hot metal saws can be dangerous if not used properly.

• Read the owner’s manual carefully.
• Make sure you understand instructions and are properly trained before operating a hot metal saw.

Hot metal saws, often referred to as cut-off saws or chop saws, use an abrasive cut-off wheel. The machine may operate dry or wet, at low or high speed, and in either manual or automatic mode.

Refer to Metalworking Machines – General for basic safety tips.

What are some basic safety principles to follow?

• Wear appropriate safety glasses.
• Wear hearing protection.
• Wear respiratory protection when necessary.
• Handle and store wheels as directed by the manufacturer.
• Inspect all wheels for possible damage before mounting.
• Use the proper blade for the material being cut.
• Check machine speed against the maximum safe operating speed marked on the wheel.
• Ensure that mounting flanges are equal and the correct diameter (at least 1/4 of the wheel diameter).
• Use mounting blotters when they are supplied with wheels.
• Clamp work firmly in place when using non-reinforced cut-off wheels.
• Use a properly designed safety guard covering at least one half of the grinding wheel.
• Allow mounted wheels to run at operating speed, with guards in place, for one minute before cutting.
• Bring wheel into contact with the work without bumping on impact.
• Turn off the coolant before stopping the wheel to avoid an out-of-balance condition.
• Keep working surface clean of scraps, tools, and materials.
• Keep the floor around saw clean and free of oil and grease.
• Ensure that the saw has a start/stop button within easy reach of the operator.
• Also, refer to Abrasive Wheels for additional information.

What should you avoid doing?

• Do not use a cracked wheel or one that has been dropped or damaged.
• Do not force a wheel onto the machine or alter the size of the mounting hole. If the wheel does not fit the machine properly, get one that will.
• Do not exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel.
• Do not use mounting flanges whose bearing surfaces are not equal, clean, flat and free of burrs.
• Do not tighten the mounting nut excessively.
• Do not grind on the side of the wheel.
• Do not start the machine until the wheel guard is in place.
• Do not stand directly in front of the cut-off wheel when starting a machine.
• Do not jam, bend or pinch the wheel.
• Do not force cutting such that the motor slows.
• Do not cut without proper ventilation.