How to Use a Table Saw
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about How to Use a Table Saw and hope the blog can help you.
Learn proper crosscutting and ripping techniques to ensure safe, efficient, satisfying work with this popular power tool.
Anyone serious about woodworking or DIY eventually wants a table saw in their power tool arsenal. Named for the table that supports the material being cut, the table saw is an excellent tool for making quick, precise work of repetitive cutting tasks. If you’re in the market for one of these beauties or just bought one for your home woodworking workshop, study up here on how to use a table saw to make cuts correctly and safely.
Table Saw Basics
The best table saws, which run between $300 for a standard model to $700 for a contractor-quality version, are sold by the size of the table saw blades they accommodate. The 10-inch size is most common and ideal for most carpentry and woodworking tasks, yet you’ll find 8-inch table saws that are handy for small work and 12-inch versions well suited to creating deeper cuts on thicker material. The parts of a table saw include:
Safety Tips for Using a Table Saw
Too many weekend warriors—and pros—have suffered serious injuries for not knowing how to use a table saw. If not properly handled, the material being cut can get in a bind and kicked back, either throwing the material at a high velocity toward them or jerking it violently and pulling their fingers toward the blade. Here’s what to do to reduce the risk of kickback:
- Never start the saw while the material you’re cutting is touching the blade.
- Always use the rip fence when making “rip” cuts.
- Always use the miter gauge, not the rip fence, for crosscuts (the rip fence doesn’t offer adequate support).
- Keep material completely flat against the table during the cut.
In addition to the specific safety observances to prevent kickback, take the time read the manufacturer’s safety provisions and be sure to always wear goggles and ear protection while using the table saw. Also remember to unplug the saw before you adjust or align the blade, and don’t remove the safety guards that come with the saw.
“One common mistake people make when using a table saw is setting the blade too high. The blade height only needs to be 1/8 inch greater than the thickness of the stock you’re cutting, yet many people think the blade needs to extend an inch or more. The blade’s gullets are designed to expel wood, so there’s no reason to have several inches of exposed blade spinning dangerously above the wood surface. While I was never stung by this common mistake, my dad was. While working in a shop in his twenties he almost completely severed his left ring finger when he ran his hand over the blade. It had to be reattached, and it’s been crooked for as long as I can remember.” —Tony Carrick, Contributing Writer
Tried-and-True Advice