Table Saw Safety

Lonnybass

Lonnybass

Jul 19, 2000
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Endorsing Artist: Pedulla Basses
#1
Hi everyone,

I'd like to get a thread going devoted to what I believe is the scariest tool in our shops...the table saw. Frankly, I do just about everything possible to avoid using it if other tools will get the job done!

Looking forward to a good discussion on what you all are doing for maximum safety in terms of setup, techniques, etc.

Lonnybass
 
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#4
There are table saws available now that take the terror out of using them. A safety feature that can detect flesh and kills the saw. It's been available for about ten years, the technology has improved, as has dependability. Don't know about how that feature affects cost though.
EDIT: It appears to be a three hundred dollar up grade from a Jet.
 
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#5
I use my table saw for bigger stuff. It seems any “incident” I have had on my table saw or router table where something went not as planed and went flying was with a smaller piece. For cutting I’ll use my band saw when I can for the little stuff. I am grateful I have not been injured (yet) I take every precaution I can.

I only use Freud blades and 95% of my router bits are Freud. Sharp clean blades, push sticks, dogs, help and one thing for my table saw I have an extension to hold long pieces off the end or cut side and I think one thing that really helps I regularly put paste wax on my cast iron tables. Wood slides easier and doesn’t tend to get hung up.

Also starting in the middle of last year I have a building partner. I do finish stuff alone but for my angry tools I almost always have my partner with me. I keep a neat clean shop with plenty of light and space to work with and if the piece is twisted or uneven I do not cut it on my table saw until I have it flat with my jointer or planer. I know I could save some money on cutting more raw lumber down myself but I do by some pieces in the size close to my needs. Be awake and frosty with a healthy sense of surroundings. I have a 6” x 108” Grizzly belt sander and actually my biggest boo boo to date I did with that I think because they seem less scary but you can get banged up pretty good on one trust me.

I hope to be able to upgrade my table saw to something better and a StopSaw is something on my going to get one list.
 
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#6
The table saw is one of the most versatile and useful tools of most woodworking shops, and frequently you'll find the shop built around it. At the same time, it also tends to be the one tool that many experienced woodworkers injure themselves with, usually because they've grown so comfortable with it that they start taking it for granted. You want to treat it with the utmost respect.

Having stated this, here are a few things I do to make things safer.

* Make sure the table is clean. Seems like a no-brainer, but if there's a stray screw or anything like that, it could cause a problem with the wood going cleanly through the blade.

* The blade height should be no higher than about 1/4" above what you need to make your cuts.

* If executing the cut puts your hands anywhere closer than 6" to the blade, STOP. You're doing something wrong. Take some time and think it through.

* The blade needs to be good and sharp. I hope this needs no further explanation.

* Basic tips like not wearing loose fitting clothing, chains/necklaces, etc. apply.

* Finally, and this is one I don't see much anymore, always measure both ends of the saw blade to the fence. Make sure the fence is an equivalent length away from the blade on both ends. This will virtually eliminate worries about kickback.
 
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#7
Means2nEnd said:
I use my table saw for bigger stuff. It seems any “incident” I have had on my table saw or router table where something went not as planed and went flying was with a smaller piece. For cutting I’ll use my band saw when I can for the little stuff. I am grateful I have not been injured (yet) I take every precaution I can.

I only use Freud blades and 95% of my router bits are Freud. Sharp clean blades, push sticks, dogs, help and one thing for my table saw I have an extension to hold long pieces off the end or cut side and I think one thing that really helps I regularly put paste wax on my cast iron tables. Wood slides easier and doesn’t tend to get hung up.

Also starting in the middle of last year I have a building partner. I do finish stuff alone but for my angry tools I almost always have my partner with me. I keep a neat clean shop with plenty of light and space to work with and if the piece is twisted or uneven I do not cut it on my table saw until I have it flat with my jointer or planer. I know I could save some money on cutting more raw lumber down myself but I do by some pieces in the size close to my needs. Be awake and frosty with a healthy sense of surroundings. I have a 6” x 108” Grizzly belt sander and actually my biggest boo boo to date I did with that I think because they seem less scary but you can get banged up pretty good on one trust me.

I hope to be able to upgrade my table saw to something better and a StopSaw is something on my going to get one list.
Click to expand...
+1 on the belt sander, a friend of mine got the tip of his finger torn off by one,
 
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#9
Though I am not a luthier nor the owner of a table saw, I wanna +1 on urging everybody to be safe.

Some 10 years ago, a friend of mine thought he needed to be cool or something. So he put the tablesaw in an ancient cramped shed with no windows. He wore dark sunglasses and no hand protection.

Needless to say he cut his thumb clean off.
 
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#10
randyripoff said:
many experienced woodworkers injure themselves with, usually because they've grown so comfortable with it that they start taking it for granted. You want to treat it with the utmost respect.
Click to expand...
^exactly!....this^
As a woodworker in a high volume production shop....I experience this at least a few times a week,.... I mean, when you got stacks & stacks of boards that all get ripped down the same, It's easy to become complacent, & start going too fast, ....letting hands get too close.
About a year ago I had a too close call & actually "touched" the blade. I was soooo lucky it only nicked my finger. I had to stop & sit down...white as a ghost. ...because I KNOW first hand how quickly that blade will change your life!!!
...28 years ago when I was young & dumb I was cutting a too small piece....it happened SO FAST I didn't know what happened, it was like, BAMM & my left index finger tip was split up the middle...took out about 1/8" of bone.
I was LUCKY it wasn't MUCH WORSE!
One of the most painful recovery periods of anything I've ever had happen!!
To this day, when my hands get really cold, that finger starts to throb.

Let's be safe out there people!!!;)
 
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#11
I have massive respect for the table saw, but use it often. I guess most anything I'd say would be repetitive to the above. Maybe one additional comment - I turn the saw off after every cut, there's the obvious reason of not putting my hands close to the blade to clear out the cut wood, but also it helps to reset my attention for each cut.

I've seen demonstrations of that auto kill switch, it's crazy how fast that stops the blade. The guy doing the demo reached in and touched the blade, it made my heart jump.
 
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#12
I'd buy a Sawstop table saw in a heartbeat if I could afford it. This technology WORKS , and could eliminate the vast majority table saw accidents if universally adopted. It's like an airbag for tablesaws, and the tool industry has resisted adopting it, just like the auto makers did with airbags, because it adds a couple hundred to the cost. The inventor tried to license it to all the major tool makers, they turned him down so he started his own company. Insurance companies are now requiring most school shops to buy these now. Last I heard, the inventor is working on similar technology for other tools like jointers and shapers. Check out this video if you haven't already seen it:
SawStop | America's #1 table saw | SawStop.com | SawStop
 
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#13
I love woodworking! Not that I'm good at it but I enjoy it. Used to have some hobby grade bench tools. That table saw was the only one that scared me as much as shunt biasing a tube amp with my dog walking into the room.
 
#14
My table saw is rendered save by not being plugged in, or having a motor, or having motor mounts. And also it has a 3.5" thick workbench surface on it. It's a damned heavy WW2 era 12" saw with a cast iron base, so it makes a great workbench stand.

I use my bandsaw for ripping.
 
#15
I once witnessed an idiot bind up a 3hp cabinet saw with a piece of 1x3 poplar. It launched across 30' of shop and went through a drywall partition. If he had been in front of it he would have been skewered. The saw had a riving knife and blade guard, didn't matter because he torqued the piece. I plan to stay a lot scared of tablesaws . I find it hard to get a decent edge in either rip or crosscut, probably out of adjustment. I use the bandsaw whenever possible.
 
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#16
Gilmourisgod said:
I once... of tablesaws . I find it hard to get a decent edge in either rip or crosscut, probably out of adjustment. I use the bandsaw whenever possible.
Click to expand...
I don't use the built in measure guides on mine. I also avoid thin kerf blades. I calibrate for 90 degrees with a speed square for the blade, fence, and miter gauge. For angle cuts, either horizontal or vertical I use a separate compass, I have no problems getting good glue worthy cuts.
 
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#20
I use mine almost daily. Probably since I'm 16 or 17 yrs old - I'm 46. I consider myself "experienced" with table saws. Just with like ANY tool you're using, pay attention to it's condition BEFORE using it. Keep your tools clean, lubed, maintain your tools just like you would with your basses/amps. When using them, keep your full attention on what you're doing, don't let anything disturb you. Don't get soft/comfy with them.

I use chainsaws, table saws, circular saws, belt sanders, routers, axes, you name them I probably use all of them. Stay focused while working with your tools, it's the best way to avoid being injured. Does it garantee it? Of course not, but if you do that you'll greatly reduce the chances of bad stuff happening. Wear the safety gear even if it does make you look goofy.

Just my 0.02 cents.
 
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