Cross-cut saw

Guards must cover as much of the blade as possible and cross-cut saws should now either be fitted with a brake or a device to pull back the cutting head, locating the blade within a safe protected area. This can be spring loaded or a pulley system with weights.

Guards
Guards must cover as much of the blade as possible.
Saw return device
Breaking or saw return device is required
No-go area either side and cut 50mm away from table edge
Cut must end at least 50mm before the table edge to prevent the blade coming into contact with the stomach. There should also be a "no-go" area for hands - 300mm either side of the blade

There should also be a "no-go" area for hands - 300mm either side of the blade - to prevent the blade being pulled over thumb or fingers accidentally. In addition, the cut must end at least 50mm before the table edge to prevent the blade coming into contact with the stomach.

Stake pointing on a cross-cut saw

Stake pointing
Stake pointing on a cross-cut saw

A cross-cut saw is an acceptable machine to point stakes on provided there is a properly designed and constructed jig and adequate support has been provided for the jig and post. This allows posts of up to eight feet in length to be pointed. This technique is suitable for low-volume production. For higher volume production, proprietary stake pointing machines are available. Stake pointing produces small sharp pointed off-cuts. If these are allowed to build up around the saw they can jam the blade or be ejected back towards the operator. Regular removal of the off-cuts is therefore important by either using a push-stick or first stopping the machine.

A riving knife must be fitted if the saw is used for ripping. Circular saws can also be used for cutting a slot with a dado head - this is a set of two saw blades with chippers in between or cutting irons (trenching – across grain, ploughing with grain).

Dado head, no chip limitation
Illegal dado head, no chip limitation on chippers
Chip limitation
Legal dado head with chip limitation on chippers
Cutting irons with no chip limitation
Illegal cutting irons (no chip limitation)
Hold down arm
A hold down arm can be used when cutting a small work piece

Information sheets

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Update2022-02-16e -->