Sometimes, we forget that the gardening or building tools we have in our garages are dangerous in the wrong hands. Chainsaws, circular cutters, lawnmowers, and trimmers are the instruments that almost every American has in their garage.
How could they be dangerous? I listed the most dangerous tools based on my own work experience, and I hope this will help you avoid risky and stressful situations using different instruments that might look safe and secure at first glance.
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8 Dangerous Tools in Your Garage
1. Circular Saw (Angle Cutter)
The huge rotating saw blade speaks of its danger for itself. Circular saw belongs to the most dangerous tools in the garage. The most threatening situation is to get under the stopping disc when you have just turned off the tool and to slip the fingers into the disc when sawing timber, tiny ones.
A circular saw is generally more protected and less dangerous than most of the listed tools. However, you can prevent risky cases by checking the instrument beforehand.
Make sure all of the elements work without issues and change them in time if needed. Also, if you need to replace an old tool, use a circular saw guide rail to find a good option.
2. Electric Planer
This tool is the most dangerous when you turn it off. In this case, the engine is still rotating, and you can already take hold of the lower sole of the planer when putting it aside.
It is also very dangerous when the instrument is turned upside down because your fingers can get into the knives, pressing the board from above.
This often happens when planing uneven wood with knots, when the board jerks sharply, for example, from the collision of knives with a knot that has fallen into them.
It is also possible to simply slip off the board from vibrations or improperly distributed forces when pressing and pushing the board. Therefore, you should not press the board in the area of the knives and close to them.
3. The Angle Grinder
This is an extremely powerful tool designed for cutting, grinding, and sharpening products made of stone, metal, and other materials. It has an electric motor in an oblong body with an abrasive disc rotating at high speed at its end, on the side.
The origin of the word "angle" in the name of the instrument is rather unclear and, as a rule, requires an explanation. The term reflects only the rotation of the axis of transmission of rotation from the engine to the disk at right angles to the side.
An abrasive disc, which spins at great speed and is poorly protected, is fraught with dangers. The most dangerous situation is disc jamming in the cut slot due to the slightest misalignment or change in the applied force.
As a result, the rotating disc pushes the tool forcefully out of the slot and throws it at your feet. Considering the speed of rotation, the force of the scattering of the fragments is huge.
The tool is not fixed in any way during the operation, including on the workpiece. The working position is completely overhung, which significantly increases the danger of working with it.
4. Chainsaw
Chainsaws are less dangerous than a circular one due to a comfortable grip and a chain brake system. However, it still belongs to our dangerous gardening tools list.
If you handle the tool carelessly, you can easily hit your feet with the sharp chain rotating at high speed if you press down on the logs while cutting them. It can also easily hurt people around you, especially if they help you to cut.
5. Electric Jigsaw
Jigsaws seem to be safer than the previous positions on the list. However, it can be dangerous when pulling the file out of the cut while the motor is running or rotating by inertia.
At this moment, the file turns out to be above the cut in its upper position and can hurt anything nearby. In addition to severe chipping on the workpiece, the file can break and bounce off. Also, the entire tool may bounce off and cut your fingers.
6. Drill
It is perhaps the most familiar and relatively safe tool. It’s relatively challenging to hurt yourself with it if you use the device properly. However, danger can come either from chips bouncing into the eyes or from breaking drills. You can also accidentally drill your fingers if you support the part to be drilled from below. If the corded or cordless drill gets caught it may "kick" and you can hurt your wrist.
7. Lawn Mower
Lawn mowers, trimmers, and other walk-behind tools are primarily dangerous because of the grass and leaves. When you cut the greenery or branches, make sure you wear special protective glasses.
Even though the chances of getting your eyes hurt because of a stem or stick are minimal, it is better to completely avoid them. Garden equipment, like a car or a bicycle, needs regular maintenance.
So, if you spot any issue with your lawn mower performance, it is better to take it to a professional service. A lawn mower is a complex tool, so it is very important to use and maintain it correctly.
8. Belt Sander
Perhaps the leader in safety. It does not cause significant damage, even if caught with hands under the revolving belt. As for eccentric or vibration grinders, they are even safer but less productive.
Protect Yourself from these Dangerous Tools
Once again, I have made this list based on my own experience and the reviews from my colleagues. If you work with these tools professionally or just use them to take care of your household, always follow the instructions that come with the instrument's package.
It is also important to abide by basic garden safety rules in order to minimize the risk of getting injured. According to reports, the number of accidents caused by gardeners and builders reaches up to 1 million worldwide every year.
So, my advice to you is to follow the precautions and regulations to stay safe. By the way, do you have any options to add to the list of dangerous tools? Which are these instruments, and how can you prevent getting into trouble using them?
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