Articles By Syndicated Columnist
Dan Thomas
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Improvement Inside And Out
Table Saw Safety
Tips
Make sure that you read all of the warning labels and your owner's manual
prior to operating your table saw.
Always make certain that the power is off when changing blades or making
any repairs to your saw.
When you are not using your saw, make a habit of lowering your saw blade,
so that it is not above the table.
Employ a stick or other kind of safety device when you are making cuts that
require your fingers to be close to the blade.
Always be alert and aware, because table saws cause more critical injuries
than anything other woodworking tool in the shop. Many expert woodworkers know
of someone who has severed a finger or two.
Keep your table saws blade guard in position when possible. If the guard
that came with your saw is not to your likening, you can purchase an
aftermarket guard; they come in a variety of designs. Remember that one of the
chief jobs of a blade guard is to act as a splitter. Splitters help to stop
the cut you make in the wood from closing up and binding against the back of
the saw blade causing kickback. At times, the blade guard can be more of a
danger than a safety devise, commonly while you are making cuts that are less
than three inches, or cuts using a push stick. When making these types of cut
you should remove the blade guard.
There is a chance that the piece of wood that you are cutting can be
forcefully kicked back. This is due to normal stresses in the wood causing the
cut to bind at the back of the saw blade. Kickback can be forceful enough to
cause the wood to jerk backwards and cause severe injuries to the worker.
Using a splitter can decrease or solve this problem all together. Read about
how to avoid kickback.
Stop the gradual hearing loss that takes place when you are using power
tools by wearing ear protection.
Do not wear clothing that is exceptionally loose fitting, and if you have
long hair tie it back. Loose fitting clothing or long hair can be very
hazardous if it meets the blade. This does not only apply to table saws, but
every power tool, particularly drill presses and jointers. If you are wearing
a long-sleeved shirt make, sure the cuffs are always buttoned.
Wearing protection eyewear is of the utmost importance when using any power
tool. When using a table saw, it is especially essential that you wear
protective eyewear. The rotating mass of a spinning saw blade in junction with
a large motor could cause an unforeseen discharge of material. A good pair of
safety glasses should fully cover your eyes, as well as the front and sides,
and be comfortable to wear.
When you get to the end of your cut, make certain to push the wood past the
saw blade. If you do not push it far enough past the blade pieces can be
caught and drawn into the blade, this will cause kickback.
It is important that the saw blade is adjusted so that the blade is
parallel to the miter slots and rip fence. If the blade is not parallel, the
piece of wood you are cutting can become wedged between the fence and blade,
causing a kickback and potentially physical harm. You will most likely get
instructions with your table saw about how to adjust everything to line up
properly. If not contact the makers of your table saw.
