Pivoting Handle Clamp Saw

A pivoting handle clamp saw is a reciprocating saw that can be locked into three different handle positions.

Description:

A pivoting handle clamp saw is an engineering control that may reduce the amount of awkward hand and wrist positions, and saw accidents.  The handle can be locked into three positions: straight, bent 45° bent, and bent 90°.  The adjustable clamp feature ensures constant contact between the blade and the surface being cut, reducing the risk of losing control of the saw blade. 

Porter Cable Clamp Saw

The pivoting handle clamp saw is compact, only 9.5 inches long and 2.25 inches wide, and weighs 3.4 lbs with the battery.  It's light weight allows easy manueverability of the tool in tight places and an LED light helps improve visibility of cuts.  The saw has 12 V of power that is controlled through a variable speed trigger to produce between 0-3,000 strokes per minute. 

A quick release tab unlocks the handle and allows it to be moved between positions.  The handle is locked via the same tab.  In addition, the blade can be changed without using a tool.

Risks Addressed:

Exposure to repetitive or forceful gripping and awkward hand and wrist postures can cause tendonitis, muscle strains, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).  Tendonitis is characterized as inflammation of tendons, causing pain during use.  Muscle strains are characterized as partial tearing and separation of muscle fibers.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of a major nerve as it enters the wrist, resulting in tingling, numbness, and loss of thumb and finger strength.  The pivoting handle clamp saw allows the handle to be locked into three positions: straight, 45° bent, and 90° bent, reducing awkward hand and wrist positions.

Traditional reciprocating saws can also lose contact between the blade and the surface being cut, leading to potential significant injuries.  The adjustable clamp feature ensures constant contact between the blade and the surface being cut, reducing the risk of losing control of the saw blade.

How Risks are Reduced:

Stressful hand and wrist activity can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as muscle strains; tendonitis, which is inflammation of elbow and wrist tendons; or carpal tunnel syndrome, which is compression of a wrist nerve, resulting in finger numbness and loss of hand strength.  A pivoting handle clamp saw may reduce stressful hand and wrist activity by allowing the handle to be locked into various positions. 

 Additionally, a traditional reciprocating saw can lose contact between the blade and the surface being cut.  Losing control of the saw can lead to cuts.  If a major artery is cut, there is risk of significant blood loss or death.  The adjustable clamp feature ensures constant contact between the blade and the surface being cut, reducing the risk of losing control of the saw blade. 

 

The manufacturer claims that the pivoting handle clamp saw’s “3-position pivoting handle provides maximum versatility and compactness.”  In addition, the adjustable clamp ensures contact with the surface being cut and allows “fast & accurate cutting of pipe & rod.”

Safety and health experts believe that the pivoting handle clamp saw reduces demand on the worker because it eliminates awkward hand and wrist postures, which may also reduce fatigue.  While no research has been done on the pivoting handle clamp saw, studies have shown that there is strong evidence for a positive association between extreme hand and wrist postures and hand and wrist tendinitis (Bernard, 1997).  In addition, holding awkward hand and wrist postures for an extended amount of time may lead to fatigue which can cause MSDs (da Costa, 2010). 

Effects on Productivity:

A pivoting handle clamp saw may increase productivity on the worksite.

Contributors:

Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC; and Kevin Wright, SPT – Eastern Washington University

Hazards Addressed:

Availability

Porter Cable 12V Max Compact Lithium Clamp Saw (discontinued)
Although discontinued, this can still be found on Amazon.com. https://www.portercable.com/ or contact 1-888-848-5175

Return on Investment

To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your specific application, please visit our Return on Investment Calculator. While a specific ROI example has not been developed for this particular solution, the ROI Calculator provides a useful tool and guidance on how to generate your own on investment analysis.