Blade Guard

[GreggA]

My question how many people use their blade guards on their scroll saw? I'm asking because to me at times it is a nuisance at times when having to insert your blades thru your projects. Btw I'm using the 22 in Bauer.

Edited February 12 by GreggA

[Paladin]

Removed them from every scroll saw I've had before I even plug it in.

[BadBob]

I never use the blade guard.

[Dan]

I tossed mine 20 years ago. Not needed. 

[Gonzo]

 Never used them

Edited February 12 by Gonzo

[rash_powder]

I find the relative safety of a scrollsaw to be one of the biggest perks of the tool.  Aside from the blade breaking and possibly spearing you, I just cant imagine how hard you would have to shove your finger into those tiny teeth that they would actually cut you badly.  I've touched the blade while running at full speed just to see what would happen, and I have to say I get worse wounds from our cats when they decide to jump off you while being carried.  

[JJB]

Yeah, I always tell students in my class that you have to be really committed to cut your finger off with a scroll saw.

[Wichman]

I dislike modifying machine without a lot of studying and trepidation. That said, I have removed every blade guard on every scroll saw I've owned, they just get in the way and don't afford much protection. This is also the only tool that I've removed a blade guard from.

[Scrappile]

I have never drawn blood with my scroll saw.  I have caused a blister from a burn by touching the blade when it was hot.

[Denny Knappen]

That is the first thing I removed from each of my saws.

[Mike Crosa]

Always removed at time of first use.

[GreggA]

I removed mine as well I was wanting opinions, so I definitely made the right choice

[Roberta Moreton]

They are a hazard. Remove them. If you want one I have a few in a drawer somewhere.

[jollyred]

 

A long time ago I was told that you can cut off a finger on the scroll saw, but you would probably have to change the blade halfway through.

Tom

 

[BadBob]

In almost 40 years of owning a scroll saw, I once nicked my finger when a small piece I was cutting split.

[don in brooklin on]

Only place I used them is when our club was at a Boys club and the director thought it would be a good idea.  He was not a woodworker.

A real pain so when we moved all the guards came off and we never have had an issue,  We have 40 - 50 Cubs each year come and scroll for the first time o problems.

 

 

[Norm Fengstad]

have never used a blade guard and have on ocaission run a finger into a moving blade with no problems, except once I received a minor skin tear when using a larger blade #12.

My grandaughter did receive a bruise from the blade tightener knob. A guard would not have prevented that as the tightener knob is outside of any protection the guard would have offered.

[BadBob]

32 minutes ago, Norm Fengstad said:

My grandaughter did receive a bruise from the blade tightener knob.

I got my finger hammered a couple of times when cutting near the saw limit, but it was a learning experience.

[OCtoolguy]

Once, when I wasn't payibg attention, I was pushing at the end of a cut and pushed my thumb into the blade. I got a bit of a cut but nothing to write home about. It drew blood but not much.

[Jim McDonald]

I have drawn blood twice. First time I was working very close to the blade and got distracted by a sudden noise and looked away. 

Second time, again working very close and sneezed! Both times, a fingertip bandaid and keep sawing. 

I think both times were FD-UR #3.

[NC Scroller]

An old timer once told me he cut his finger off with a scroll saw but he had to change blades twice.  As Don stated the only saw I use with a guard is owned by our club when we are teaching.  It is there for insurance purposes only.

[JimNC]

I have purchased maybe 3-4 scroll saws over the years and have removed the guard. But, I would not suggest that a new scroller remove the guard as they will soon find out why others removed the guards. 

[nrscroller]

I took my guards off all saws I have owned, it is actually harder to turn and cut with them on and thankfully I haven't had an accident over the years.

 

[DrPete]

I have a Delta 40-440 and the blade guard is only there because I haven't taken the time to figure out how to mount the air line, it's integral.

[Barry5180]

If you are more comfortable having it mounted on the saw, leave it there. As you can see from all of the responses, nobody really uses a blade guard. Yes, they get in the way with blade changes and inserting the blade into your project. Personally, I have never used the blade guard and only knicked myself once with a number 5 blade. Bleed for 30 seconds and stopped. You really do have to try to hurt yourself on a Scrollsaw.