How To Use a Table Saw

A table saw is an excellent tool for any woodworker or do-it-yourself enthusiast needing to make precise cuts quickly. But it’s also one of the most dangerous tools in a workshop if not used properly. In the video above, Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains key safety features and cutting techniques using a portable, battery-operated, larger cabinet saw.

Table Saw Safety

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the safety features and proper table saw usage before operating it. Modern table saws have various safety mechanisms designed to protect users from accidents.

Key Safety Features

Table saws incorporate several important safety features:

• Blade guards: These plastic shields help contain dust and act as a barrier between the user and the blade.
• Riving knife: This metal plate sits behind the blade, preventing wood from pinching and causing kickback.
• Anti-kickback pawls: These spring-loaded devices with teeth grip the wood if it tries to move backward, preventing dangerous kickback.

Proper Stance and Positioning

Your stance and positioning while using a table saw are critical for safety. Always stand to the side of the blade, not directly behind it, to avoid potential kickback. Maintain a balanced, stable stance, and position yourself to control the wood comfortably without reaching across the blade.

Personal Protective Equipment

Always wear appropriate safety gear when operating a table saw:

• Safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris.
• Hearing protection to guard against prolonged exposure to loud noise.
• Dust mask to prevent inhalation of fine wood particles.
• Close-fitting clothes to avoid getting caught in the saw.

Setting Up Your Table Saw

Proper setup is important for safe and accurate cuts. Before making any cuts, make sure your table saw is configured correctly.

Aligning the Fence

The rip fence must be parallel to the blade to prevent binding and kickback:

1. Raise the blade to its full height.
2. Choose a tooth on the front of the blade and measure the distance to the fence.
3. Rotate the blade so the same tooth is at the back, and measure again.
4. Adjust the fence if the measurements aren’t equal.

Setting Blade Height

The correct blade height is important for safe and efficient cutting:

• For through cuts, set the blade so it protrudes about 1/4 inch above the thickness of the cut material.
• For non-through cuts, adjust the blade to the desired depth of cut.

Choosing the Right Blade

When selecting a blade, pick one that is appropriate for the cut and material type. Use rip blades for cutting with the wood grain, crosscut blades for cutting across the grain, and combination blades for general-purpose cutting. For specific materials like plywood or melamine, opt for specialty blades designed to handle those surfaces efficiently.

Making Rip Cuts With a Table Saw

Rip cuts are made parallel to the wood grain and are one of the most common cuts on a table saw.

Preparing for a Rip Cut

Before making a rip cut, verify the fence is parallel to the blade and locked in place. Then, set the blade height to just above the thickness of the wood. Position the fence to the desired width of the cut.

Proper Technique for Rip Cuts

When making a rip cut:

• Stand to the left of the blade, not directly behind it.
• Use your right hand to guide the wood along the fence, keeping your thumb pointed forward.
• Use a push stick for narrow cuts to keep your hands away from the blade.
• Focus on keeping the wood against the fence, not the cut itself.

Avoiding Kickback During Rip Cuts

Kickback is a dangerous situation that happens when the wood is forcefully thrown back toward you. To prevent this, always use the riving knife and anti-kickback pawls, which help reduce the risk. Keep the wood pressed against the fence throughout the cut, and never release it until it has completely passed the blade.

Making Cross Cuts With a Table Saw

Cross cuts are made perpendicular to the wood grain and require different techniques than rip cuts.

Using a Miter Gauge for Cross Cuts

For accurate and safe cross cuts:

1. Remove the rip fence or position it well away from the blade.
2. Insert the miter gauge into the table slot.
3. Secure the workpiece firmly against the miter gauge.
4. Guide the miter gauge and workpiece smoothly through the blade.

Creating a Cross-Cut Sled

A cross-cut sled can improve accuracy and safety. Here’s how to make one:

1. Build a sled that fits your table saw’s miter slots.
2. Include a fence perpendicular to the blade for consistent cuts.
3. Add hold-down clamps to secure the workpiece.

Making Repetitive Cross Cuts

To make multiple cross-cuts of the same length, try this:

1. Clamp a stop block to the rip fence positioned before the blade.
2. Place your workpiece against the stop block and miter gauge.
3. Make the cut and let the cut-off piece fall away from the blade.

Advanced Cutting Techniques for Table Saws

You can explore more advanced cutting techniques as you become more comfortable with your table saw.

Dado Cuts

Dado cuts create grooves across the wood grain:

1. Install a dado blade set to the desired width.
2. Adjust the blade height to the required depth of cut.
3. Use a sacrificial fence to support the workpiece.
4. Make multiple passes for wider dados, if necessary.

Bevel Cuts

Bevel cuts are angled cuts through the thickness of the material:

1. Tilt the blade to the desired angle.
2. Adjust the fence position to account for the blade angle.
3. Make a test cut on scrap material to verify the angle.

Compound Miter Cuts

Compound miter cuts combine a miter angle with a bevel:

1. Set both the miter gauge and blade tilt to the required angles.
2. Secure the workpiece firmly against the miter gauge.
3. Make a test cut to confirm accuracy before cutting your workpiece.

Maintaining Your Table Saw

Regular maintenance keeps your table saw running safely and efficiently.

Cleaning and Lubrication

To keep your table saw in top condition, clean the table surface regularly to prevent rust. Lubricate moving parts as the manufacturer recommends. Remove sawdust buildup from the motor and other internal components to maintain optimal performance.

Blade Maintenance

Proper blade care is important for maintaining performance and longevity. Regularly clean the blades to remove pitch and resin buildup, which can affect cutting efficiency. Sharpen or replace blades when they become dull, and store them properly to prevent damage to the teeth.

Alignment Checks

Periodically checking and adjusting alignments helps maintain precision. Make sure the blade stays parallel to the miter slots for accurate cuts. Verify that the fence is square to the table and aligned with the blade, and confirm that the miter gauge is square to the blade for optimal performance.

Resources:

Silva demonstrates some best practices and techniques on the M18 Fuel One Key Table Saw manufactured by Milwaukee Tool. He also mentions the larger table saw he uses in his workshop, a SawStop professional cabinet saw.