The Scroll Saw
Scroll Saws (Sometimes called Fret Saws) Have a vibrating blade
which is used predominantly to cut wood and/or plastic.
Scroll Saws like any other piece of D&T equipment are perfectly
safe to use as long as you know what you are doing!
Never use a Scroll Saw unless your teacher has shown you how to use it first!
Some simple tips:
> Cut the material slowly and press down firmly to ensure a perfect cut.
> Always Wear an Apron
> Always Wear Goggles
> Tie back long hair
Full Risk Assessment :
1.085 WOOD-WORKING MACHINES:
SAWS - BENCH-MOUNTED, FRET, JIG, SCROLL Workshop Areas
Applicable to: cutting of intricate shapes in timber and rigid plastics
Process(es) covered: The cutting of curved and irregular shaped lines in thin wood and plastics, using
electrically-powered saws, eg, jig, scroll or fret saws.
HAZARDS
User injury Human contact with moving, rotating or reciprocating parts, including the saw blade, can cause cuts or abrasions. Vibrations from the movement of the saw blade can cause the machine to move about on the bench top.
Entanglement Long hair, dangling jewellery or loose clothing can become entangled with rotating or reciprocating parts.
Dust See sheet 1.071 and specific comments below and overleaf.
RISK ASSESSMENT
User injury There may be a significant risk from cuts if the blade is not adequately guarded (unless the amplitude of the blade movement is small). All rotating parts should be adequately guarded. On some machines, reciprocating parts may also need guards.
If the machine is not fixed securely, it may fall from the bench top. Some machines are supplied on a stand that may topple over.
Entanglement Entanglement is likely to occur if rotating or reciprocating parts are exposed.
Dust Efficient dust extraction is required when cutting dusty materials, eg, MDF.
CONTROL MEASURES
Eye protection should be worn. To minimise user injury, the saw blade must be adequately guarded so that, in normal use, the fingers of the operator cannot come into contact with it. The machine should not be used without a suitable guard in place and correctly set. It is preferable for the machine to include a ‘foot’ that can be set to rest on the top surface of the material being cut to avoid the material vibrating. The machine should be fixed to the bench. Machines fitted on a stand may need the stand fixing to the floor. See the introduction to this part for related issues of electrical safety.
Long hair should be tied back and jewellery removed or covered. Sleeves should be turned back.
Dust extraction should be provided where the risk assessment shows that it is required.
An FFP1 dust mask may be needed while cleaning.
which is used predominantly to cut wood and/or plastic.
Scroll Saws like any other piece of D&T equipment are perfectly
safe to use as long as you know what you are doing!
Never use a Scroll Saw unless your teacher has shown you how to use it first!
Some simple tips:
> Cut the material slowly and press down firmly to ensure a perfect cut.
> Always Wear an Apron
> Always Wear Goggles
> Tie back long hair
Full Risk Assessment :
1.085 WOOD-WORKING MACHINES:
SAWS - BENCH-MOUNTED, FRET, JIG, SCROLL Workshop Areas
Applicable to: cutting of intricate shapes in timber and rigid plastics
Process(es) covered: The cutting of curved and irregular shaped lines in thin wood and plastics, using
electrically-powered saws, eg, jig, scroll or fret saws.
HAZARDS
User injury Human contact with moving, rotating or reciprocating parts, including the saw blade, can cause cuts or abrasions. Vibrations from the movement of the saw blade can cause the machine to move about on the bench top.
Entanglement Long hair, dangling jewellery or loose clothing can become entangled with rotating or reciprocating parts.
Dust See sheet 1.071 and specific comments below and overleaf.
RISK ASSESSMENT
User injury There may be a significant risk from cuts if the blade is not adequately guarded (unless the amplitude of the blade movement is small). All rotating parts should be adequately guarded. On some machines, reciprocating parts may also need guards.
If the machine is not fixed securely, it may fall from the bench top. Some machines are supplied on a stand that may topple over.
Entanglement Entanglement is likely to occur if rotating or reciprocating parts are exposed.
Dust Efficient dust extraction is required when cutting dusty materials, eg, MDF.
CONTROL MEASURES
Eye protection should be worn. To minimise user injury, the saw blade must be adequately guarded so that, in normal use, the fingers of the operator cannot come into contact with it. The machine should not be used without a suitable guard in place and correctly set. It is preferable for the machine to include a ‘foot’ that can be set to rest on the top surface of the material being cut to avoid the material vibrating. The machine should be fixed to the bench. Machines fitted on a stand may need the stand fixing to the floor. See the introduction to this part for related issues of electrical safety.
Long hair should be tied back and jewellery removed or covered. Sleeves should be turned back.
Dust extraction should be provided where the risk assessment shows that it is required.
An FFP1 dust mask may be needed while cleaning.