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Table Saw Basic
Info
This page includes some basic
information you need to have before using your table saw. I have pages
with more detailed information that you can click on down the page, but
read this one first.
If you haven’t purchased a saw yet and
are doing some research, then
click here to read
about some features that I think you may want to look for in a saw.
If you’re sitting there with your
table saw still in a box, then be sure to read the setup page. There are
a few things you’ll need to do before you can use your saw that they
most often don’t tell you in the instructions. Click here to read about
them, or use the link further on the page after you finish this one.
When you assemble your saw, you’ll
come to a point where you have to make a decision: put on the guard or
leave it off. If you’re unsure, then click here to read some info on the
pros and cons.
Respect, Not Fear, Keeps Everything
Attached
The very first thing you need to know
is that you need to respect your saw and what it can do – not
fear it. I feel a healthy dose of respect every time I flip that switch
because I know that a saw that cuts hard wood won’t even notice my
fingers if they get in the way – and I like my fingers still attached.
Handling your stock properly is
important for safety, and you can click here or use the links near the
bottom of the page to read about that.
Now let’s talk a bit about what a
table saw is designed to do.
Make ‘Em Straight and Narrow
The main purpose of a table saw is to
rip lumber. That means to cut a straight line along the grain. In other
words, it makes boards narrower, rather than shorter. It can cut across
the grain (make ‘em shorter), but it’s not really the best choice for
that. If you plan to do a lot of cross cutting, then you’ll want either
a miter saw or a radial arm saw – depending on the width of what you’ll
be cutting – and your budget.
Since precision counts in cutting, be
sure to check the setup page where I explain how to check the actual cut
size compared to what the ruler says. You want to be sure you’re cutting
the exact size you intend to cut. That way, everything goes together as
it should without extra waste. And extra waste means extra cost, extra
time, and some high-priced sawdust.
Blade Height: How Low Should You
Go?
Another thing to know before you use
your saw is how to decide what blade height to use when cutting. I’ve
seen various opinions, and I’m convinced the worst thing you can do is
to leave the blade at it’s full height all the time. And there are some
reasons for that.
First, it’s more dangerous to have
more teeth exposed. Second, the saw and blade will have to work harder
because your teeth will be cutting at the wrong angle. That can ruin
your wood and blade in a hurry. Third, it makes the blade run hotter
because more of it is running through the wood – more friction.
So – what’s a good height? Some say
it’s as low as an eighth inch above the workpiece. While that may appear
safer, I think the blade has to work harder when it’s that low and you
need to use more force on your stock. And that’s unsafe for sure.
I favor raising the blade slightly so
the teeth are fully above the workpiece. That means the bottom of the
valley between the teeth is at the top of the workpiece. In my opinion,
this helps in a few ways:
1)
The angle of contact for
the blade tip is greater so it cuts, rather than scrapes, the wood.
2)
The arc through the wood
is shorter so there’s less wood to cut through and less strain on the
blade and motor.
3)
The blade stays a bit
cooler since the entire tooth is exposed and cooling as the blade
rotates.
4)
Since less wood is being
cut, it takes less pressure to feed your stock.
The things I’ve mentioned above are
important points that I think you need to know before using your table
saw. Remember to click the links for more specific information on other
topics relating to the table saw. And remember to check my pages for
information on other power and hand tools.
Here are pages with more details:
Buying
your first table saw
Table saw setup
Blade guards: pros and cons
Feeding stock on your table
saw
Basic
table saw jigs
Shopping for a table saw? Check out the Delta table
saws Rockler has to offer.
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