Reciprocating Saw (Corded or Cordless)

This activity is listed as:

The process  to receive approval for this tool is:

1. Check below to see that your use falls within guidelines
2. Develop  with your faculty/staff oversight
3. Complete, sign, and submit the MIT 
4. Submit your 
5. You will be contacted to discuss the plan, feasibility, modifications, etc.
6. EHS will approve use of this tool once/if all safety and feasibility requirements are met
7. As pre-COVID, staff/faculty are responsible for making sure the safety plan is followed

Minimum required PPE and precautions (more may be required based on circumstance)

Most important safety considerations (issues, resources, advice, warnings)

• Tool Specific:

  • Always secure the material

  • Use the correct type of blade, i.e. wood blade when doing woodworking

  • Always hold the tool with two hands

  • Be careful that the blade does not bind and cause kickback

  • Stop the saw before removing the blade from a cut

  • Keep the rocker shoe placed against the material you are cutting before, and while, cutting

  • Make use of the variable speed (usually depends on pressure applied to trigger)  for different cutting situations (e.g. don’t go full speed to start a cut)

  • Blades are often hot immediately after cutting; handle with care

• General:

  • Have respect for this tool, common tools like this can cause injury

  • Remove the battery or unplug cord before changing blades

  • Do not wear baggy clothing, loose sleeves or jewelry

  • Hair and beard be pulled back in a hair tie or under a hat

  • Do not apply excessive pressure, let the tool do the work

  • If too much pressure is needed, something is wrong (dull, wrong tool, etc..)

  • Use a sharp blade/tool, dull blades lead to excessive heat and need for excessive pressure

  • Woodworking machines and tools shall not be used without the proper machine-specific training

  • Safety glasses must be worn, hearing protection should be worn with most power tool use.

  • No loose fitting and untucked clothes.  Tassels should be tied or tucked in.

  • Hair and beards should be tied back.

  • Do not wear gloves if the machine or tool has moving parts.

  • Use of powered machines and tools requires a buddy

  • Never use tools other than for their stated intention

  • Use care when operating machines or tools with high velocity and/or sharp parts

  • Never cut towards your own body. Your hand is a part of your body.

  • All appropriate guards that allow you to perform the desired action must be in place 

  • Ensure your setup has adequate dust collection

  • Unplug and control all cord powered tools before changing blades, or making adjustments to cutting tooling

  • Use water based finishes whenever possible. 

  • Always dispose of finishing implements properly by laying them flat on non-combustible surfaces to dry before disposal

Most important considerations in the use of the tool/technology (issues, resources, advice, warnings)

• N/A

Links or info about video/images and complementary or alternative tools/tech to consider

• Adhesives

• Paper/foam/cardboard

• Painting

• Interesting woodworker videos:

  • https://www.youtube.com/user/6488jesse

Forms and contact information required to obtain approval to use this technology/tools

• Link: 
• Link: 
• Email: Q&A and Discussion to mit-remote-making@mit.edu