Proceed with Caution: 10 Power Tools That Can Kill You

The biggest cause of chainsaw injuries is kickback, a violent upward jerk of the saw that occurs when the tip of the guide bar makes contact with an object. The violent motion of kickback sends the bar—and the razor-sharp chain— flying back toward the operator, potentially slicing through skin in a split second. Before using a chainsaw, always read the entire owner’s manual, receive proper training, and know the safest tree-cutting practices.

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One of the most popular power tools for home projects, circular saws, like chainsaws, are subject to kickback, which can cause serious harm. Kickback often happens when the moving blade gets pinched in the lumber, causing the saw (or the wood) to jerk back toward the user’s body. Avoid kickback by cutting straight lines and allowing cut-off ends of boards to fall during the cutting process. Restricting the end of a board can cause the blade to get pinched as the wood bends downward with nowhere else to go.

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Although pneumatic tools like air-powered nail guns come with safety mechanisms, improper use can cause a fastener to be fired at high speed in the wrong direction, potentially injuring the operator or a bystander. High-velocity fasteners may also hit knots in wood and come hurtling back toward the user. Always read the owner’s manual and practice proper safety techniques when using the machine.

Powder-actuated tools employ 0.22-caliber charges, so they’re very effective at firing nails through wood plates into concrete or metal. If the tool’s trajectory is slightly off, however, the fastener can ricochet and strike the user or a bystander. Manufacturers of these tools, such as Ramset, offer free training.

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Users operate miter saws by placing wood on the saw base, then pulling the spinning blade downward to cut it. If the blade binds, the spinning saw kicks upward toward the user, putting fingers, hands, and forearms in the path of the blade. Minimize the risk of kickback by starting the blade before it makes contact with the wood, and keeping the wood firmly pressed against the fence to minimize movement.

For the handy home improver, few pleasures compare to the joy of a well-stocked workshop. Take a look at this roundup of some of the best and most essential tools for DIYers of every stripe, and see which items might be missing from your own home improvement headquarters.