Saw Safety

Like any tool, especially power tools, there are three things to remember: Safety. Safety. Safety. Below are some basic safety tips to follow:

• Start by reading the safety information provided by the manufacturer. Contact the manufacturer for any information on the tools.
• If your table saw is used, be sure to do a good inspection of all the moving parts and electrical wires before use.
  
• If the saw is not in use, lower the blade below the table.
  
• Always disconnect the power before changing blades or adding accessories.
  
• Always wear safety glasses and never wear clothing that may get pulled into the blades.
  
• Never put your hands or fingers near the blade when it is on, or when there are pieces of wood between the guide and the blade.
  
• To avoid a loose piece of wood "kicking back" by the spinning saw blade, make sure to leave the guard on.
  

Saw Accessories

There are a number of accessories available to do just about anything. Here a few to consider:

• Fences. This is an adjustable piece running from the front to the back of the saw. It can be moved different distances from the blade.
  
• Miter Gauge. This fits into miter grooves in the table. It runs parallel to the blade and is used to feed the piece through the blade. It can be adjusted also to different angles.
• Tenon jig. The tenon jig is used to make cuts along the edge of the piece you're working on.
  
• Arbor. The arbor is the round piece that the blade is mounted to.

Modern Features of Saws

One of the newest features for saws is in the blade area. Today's blade can be adjusted to different angles, where in older table saws the table would adjust, but not the blade. The newer saws are much safer with better guards made of clear plastic on some models so that you can see what you are doing.

Watch the Wood

Not all wood pieces are the same. Working with flawed pieces can be dangerous. There are various ways to keep safe. For instance, always inspect the piece for loose knots, warped boards or twisted pieces. Changing the tension in the cutting piece can cause binding of the blade, or worse a kick back. Or it may be thrown in any direction. This again is why the table saw fences and guards are so important.

The Basics of Saws

The table saw is the most versatile piece of equipment in the shop. But what is it? The table saw is a circular saw blade protruding through a steel table top that is attached to a motor, either by a belt or directly to the unit. The table saw blade size can vary in the diameter of the circle. Also, the number of teeth on the blade can vary. The blade can be moved up or down and angled to different degrees required, left or right.

Types of Saws

Like most woodworking equipment, there are many types to choose from. The major differences are between the cabinet table saw and the bench table saw. As the name implies, the cabinet table saw has a cabinet it sits on. They are heavier and have less vibration than the bench table saw. They also can come with a table extension for easier handling of large pieces of material. Another advantage to the cabinet table saw is it's dust collection because it's a cabinet. This type of saw can be found in most permanent wood shops.


The Bench top table saw is lighter than the cabinet table saw and is built to sit on top of a table. This type of table saw is more likely to be found on construction sites or used by finish carpenters. All and all, they aren't as strong as some of the other saws, but it gets the job done in cramped places.

Contractor's table saws are mostly used by homeowners because of the power supply that is more in-line with a household circuitry. They also come with a base, but it is open and sometimes on wheels, and the motor hangs off the back of the machine on a hinge.