Machining Fundamentals 166 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. A friction saw operates at very high speeds (20,000 sur- face feet per minute or 6000 meters per minute) and actually melts its way through the metal. The friction saw blade may or may not have teeth. The teeth are used primarily to carry oxygen to the cutting area. These machines have many appli- cations in steel mills. For example, they can be used to cut red-hot billets (sections of semifinished steel). 11.6 Power Saw Safety Keep the following guidelines in mind while working with any type of power saw: • Never attempt to operate a sawing machine while your senses are impaired by medication or other substances. • Get help when you are lifting and cutting heavy material. • Clean oil, grease, and coolant from the floor around the work area. • Use special care when handling pieces with burrs. Burrs on cut pieces are sharp. • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for tensioning a blade. Too much tension can shatter the blade. • Handle band saw blades with extreme care. They are long and springy and can uncoil suddenly. • Be sure the work is mounted solidly before starting a cut. • Be sure all guards are in place before using the saw. • Always wear a dust mask and full face shield when cutting stock with a dry abrasive cutoff saw. • Avoid standing directly in line with the blade when operating a circular cutoff saw. • Use a brush to clean chips from the machine. Do not use your hands. Wait for the machine to come to a complete stop before cleaning. • Keep your hands out of the way of moving parts. • Stop the machine before making adjustments. • Have all cuts, bruises, and scratches, even minor ones, treated immediately. CAREER CONNECTION High School CTE Teacher What does a high school CTE teacher do? Career and technical education (CTE) teachers prepare high school students for future careers in technical fields. These teachers may specialize in particular fields or introduce students to the range of technical careers available. Some classrooms and labs prepare students with hands-on experiences that reflect work- ing environments. There are many types of CTE teachers with many different specialties, including culinary instructors, technical and trades teachers, and engineering professors. What education and skills are needed to be a high school CTE teacher? CTE teachers almost always require field experience for their particular subject. Culinary professors have been chefs, and welding instructors have been welders. In addition to being outstanding professionals, future CTE instructors must also have teaching skills, such as patience, public speaking ability, and the ability to explain in concise terms what they did as a professional to students who will become professionals. Before making a change to teaching, interested professionals typically work in the field for 3 to 5 years. They often have bachelor’s degrees in their field or in education. Teachers that work in public schools require state-specific certification or licensure. What is it like to be a high school CTE teacher? High school CTE teachers teach during standard school hours and do much the same physical labor as other teachers. They may specialize in one subject or in several, and they may also run specialized programs to best teach career readiness. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the vast majority of CTE teachers are employed by secondary schools, and the median annual wage for this profession is $52,800 per year.