When is it too cold to operate?

[MK]

When is it too cold to operate the saw? I live in northern NJ and the saw is in the garage with an insulated garage door so the temps are in the 40-45 F range. Is this too cold? I'm afraid more for the rubber/plastic drive belt becoming too stiff due to the temperature and snapping. Also, maybe the metal pieces contracting and causing undue friction or wear and tear.

I would love to be able to still operate it for small projects. Advice?

P.S. - I don't have the manual in front of me so I wonder if there's a page on operating environment in the back.

[dkerfoot]

Personally, it wouldn't occur to me not to operate it unless it was sub-zero.

.

[LCHIEN]

I looked in the manual, it does not specify an operating temperature range.

I think 40-45°F is OK, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Uncle Cracker]

A couple of weeks ago, I did operate mine, although only for about a dozen cuts, when the temp in my shop was 38F. No problemo...

[tommyt654]

I think anytime you operate power equipment below freezing you take a risk of injury. Studys have shown that cold weather even below as little as 40 degrees tend to slow reaction time for the body as well as the mind. Just my personal opinion I wouldn,t be working with power equipment in anything less than 60-65 degrees.

[phi1l]

if you can't feel your fingers .. it's too cold.

[dkerfoot]

I agree with phi1l - I'd be more concerned about the effect of the cold on me than on the saw. Numb fingers would be a fine way to know it is time to take a break.

.

[dbhost]

If you are asking that question, it might be time to consider a heater...

[Black wallnut]

if you can't feel your fingers .. it's too cold.

Beyond this, if you have to wear too much clothing to keep warm that can get caught in the saw then it is too cold. Remember loose clothing is a huge danger while operating any machinery.

[Mr__Bill]

It's too cold when.....



This came from Stoney River Lodge, Alaska . The picture was taken on Jan 5th 2009.Minus 51 F



Bill
who is not in Stoney River Lodge, Alaska

[leehljp]

What is too cold is a subjective statement. As a kid, I remember home builders and construction sites that would start work at 7 AM or so when the temp was still in the upper 20's. Yes it can be dangerous. But if done for a living, acclimatized to and prepared for the temp and work, then it should be OK in those situations. But that brings up the question if one is prepared in this way? If not, it could be very dangerous!

I remember the first few days of baseball practice in February way back when bats were wood - boy did those first few hits hurt like the devil! It sure made hand control iffy for a little bit. Cold hands, weak grip, "feel" not there - with a saw, it can be dangerous as mentioned above.

As far as the machinery goes, I don't know at what temp blades would be subject to potential shattering if a strong kickback occurs or metal object (nail/bolt) is encountered. But I would suspect that this situation is not a problem above 0°C / 32°F

[radhak]

if you can't feel your fingers .. it's too cold.

Or its too late to buy a Sawstop...!

[MK]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am worried about the saw and not myself though that is not to say I do not put safety first. I can work in 30 min. sessions at a time in 40-45 F temperatures so I won't have numb fingers, etc.

I'm not going to spend hours in those temperatures and build an entertainment center. I just want to make a few cuts here and there when I have some spare time in the weekend.

[LinuxRandal]

If the blade and height adjustment handles, are frozen in place.......

You might be a redne, er.... it might be too cold to operate.

[TB Roye]

Bill

Now I know why Sarah is in the lower 48 giving speech's

Tom