Thread: Table Saw and Butchers Glove

I think the glove would catch on the saw blade and drag the hand into the blade. It is amazing what a tungsten blade will cut or rip its way through.

Whatever, I would not like to test it.

I think that there is no substitute for proper safety. As David says that I would think that the blade would catch the glove and drag it down into the table before the saw stopped and if it didn't cut you, you would end up with a nasty bruise or broken bones.

As far as those gloves are concerned they where designed to stop knife cuts rather than saw cuts from a fast moving blade.

I routinely use my tablesaw to cut 10mm aluminium plate, and I have seen 25 mm plate cut easily as well. I don't think a glove made with stainless mesh is going to stop a tablesaw, and I too think it would be asking to get trapped in the blade. At least you won't have to go looking for the severed finger...it'll be in the mangled stainless steel dag hanging off the glove.

Simple test-- buy a glove put a piece of 12mm dowel in one of the fingers and then push it into the blade

I accidentally left a stainless steel ruler, made of plate about 1.2mm thick, on the bed of my SCMS under a piece of timber, whilst doing a cut. I didn't even know it was there until I removed the cut pieces of timber. The cut was as clean as a whistle.

What has been discussed above sums up the use for a butchers steel glove. These gloves are used when handling knives in the food industry and they will stop the slicing action of the knife, but if there is force you will still have a very nasty bruise. They were never designed for the use suggested above and would be dangerous - as noted by other members.

Similar to the steel glove, Ansell make a product called "Golden needles safety gloves" www.ansellpro.com a fiberglass and teflon woven glove. It feels like a knitted polyester glove and is cut proof - working the same as the steel glove, cheaper and lighter but they wear quicker. The "golden needles" gloves are made for a range of industries, from food service to the woodworking industry. In the woodworking industry they are used so employees may change the blades on thicknessers and planers (etc) safely, minimising the risk of cutting themselves during (re-) installation.

It is obvious your sister in-laws' father has no idea about wood working machinery or steel gloves. My recommendation is to visit a store such as Blackwoods or a Safety industries store and make further enquiries if you are seriously considering this option.

Good luck.

Many thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

I am planning on firstly doing a woodworking course so I know how to proper operate and use a table saw.

I just found it rather interesting what he said about the butchers glove.

I agree that they are obviously just made to stop knifes but a fast moving blade ? hmmmm

I am just a little paranoid about losing an apendage as my wife's friend lost a finger on the Triton in a moment of in-attention.

Originally Posted by Arry

I am just a little paranoid about losing an apendage as my wife's friend lost a finger on the Triton in a moment of in-attention.

Think of the blade having a red safety zone around it and extending well in front and above.

Nothing you don't want to cut is allowed in the zone.

Think about push sticks that keep the hands clear.

Apart from the above, using a glove on a saw will reduce the feel of the timber so the job will be a bit more clumsy.

Clumsy and power tools don't mix.

I've cut clean through a piece of 3mm wall, 75 x 25 steel channel that was part of a saw horse with a 9" circular saw. You may blunten or lose a few carbide tips but that's about the only difference the butcher's glove will make. Safe working practice is the best way of preventing injury.

Mick

At this point think about the guy who wanted to cut some heavy gauge fishing line.

No knife handy so he started the saw.

Wound the line around his hands.

Holding it tight he advanced to-wards the blade.

The line went down the gullet between the teeth.

The line got wound in around the saw.

His hands were .......................................

The most important thing with saw is to engage the brain before switching the saw on.

I concur with the above - it is a definite that mesh glove + moving saw blade does not = loss of finger. It equals loss of hand.

Same reason that you don't wear loose clothing, and items such as rings - if it gets caught by the blade - well, the technical / medical term is degloving.

Guards, push sticks, thinking/concentrating are the real protection.

Originally Posted by DavidG

At this point think about the guy who wanted to cut some heavy gauge fishing line.

No knife handy so he started the saw.

Wound the line around his hands. ....

That's as far as I needed to read.

And use the right tool for the job:
A chisel is not a pry bar. A spanner is not a hammer. And a table saw is not a wire cutter.

Joe

Originally Posted by Exador

I accidentally left a stainless steel ruler, made of plate about 1.2mm thick, on the bed of my SCMS under a piece of timber, whilst doing a cut. I didn't even know it was there until I removed the cut pieces of timber. The cut was as clean as a whistle.

I was going to say that!