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Table Saw

Table saws are dangerous power tools. They are good for specific cuts but not for others – ensure that you have the right tool for your job, and that you have the knowledge to use it safely.

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Kickback is the most common problem. It can happen to even the most careful users. You can minimize the chance of kickback by properly setting the blade height, using a sharp blade, standing in the right position, using a riving knife, and ensuring that the material moves straight.

SAFETY

  1. Wear proper safety gear. Appropriate shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection. Masks are recommended. Gloves are not recommended.
  2. Ensure that your work area is well-lit and clear of obstacles/debris. Never use in a wet location.
  3. Keep the saw off when not cutting. Do not leave a saw running unattended.
  4. Use guard with a spreader (riving knife) and anti-kickback fingers for ripping or cross-cutting.
  5. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Do not overreach.
  6. Keep the body and face to one side of the saw blade out of the line of a possible kickback. Keep hands out of the line of a saw blade.
  7. Do not saw freehand. Always hold the stock firmly against the mitre gauge or a rip fence to position and guide the cut.
  8. Focus 100% on the cut. No distractions.
  9. Feed stock into the blade against the direction of its rotation. Do not feed the workpiece faster than the saw can accept.
  10. Do not lift the guard or work near the blade while it is turning.
  11. Do not reach around or over moving blades.
  12. Do not remove saw dust or cuttings around knives by hand or with compressed air. Use a stick or brush.
  13. Disconnect power from the unit before touching the blade.

TOOL CHECK

  1. Table is flat and in good condition.
  2. Rip-fence and miter-gauge are both ok.
  3. The spreader and anti-kickback guards are installed around the blade.
  4. Adjustments for blade height & angle work ok.
  5. Blade mount – Blade is in the right direction, and is held tightly to the arbor . No lateral wobble.
  6. Blade condition – Blade is flat and not warped. Teeth are present, sharp, and clean.
  7. Electrics – switch on/off ok, cord & plug are safe.
  8. Running – sounds ok and no vibration.

PREPARE TO USE

  1. Wear proper safety gear. See section 1.
  2. Do a tool check. See section 2.
  3. Use the correct blade for your cut.
  4. Ensure that the riving knife and blade guards are in place and in good condition.
  5. Check the workpiece for obstructions or risks (e.g. nails, staples, stones, loose knots).
  6. Set the blade height correctly (⅛” above the material) and lock the blade angle adjuster.
  7. If ripping then ensure that the rip-fence is locked in position after the desired width has been set. If cross-cutting then do not use the fence – use a miter-gauge instead.
  8. Use a push stick when ripping narrow or short stock. Use the push stick to remove the cut piece from between the fence and the blade.
  9. Ensure adequate support to hold the work piece for the entire length of the cut.

After your cut

  1. Allow the blade to stop spinning before moving or adjusting anything.

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