A table saw is comprised of a flat worktable with a rotary sawblade protruding through its center. Its main function is to use fences and guides to cut solid wood or boards into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Today, we are here to answer the question of why the table saw has become such a prominent feature in workshop activity, considering this straightforward function.
The table saw is not only a stationary circular saw but has also earned its place in wood shops worldwide due to its capability to make necessary cuts swiftly, securely, and effectively. We will delve into each of these uses for a table saw with more precision and subsequently discuss the crucial safety considerations when operating it.
Top Uses of a Table Saw
Before discussing the various types of blades that can be used, let us first examine the uses of the table saw, which has gained recognition as the primary tool in woodshops worldwide due to its remarkable capacity to make crucial cuts quickly, safely, and effectively.
1. Ripping
The primary purpose of a table saw is to divide larger boards into smaller, more manageable pieces. Ripping, which involves cutting wood to a specific width, should be done in alignment with the wood’s grain. To prevent the board from twisting and causing the saw to jam, it is essential to always guide the board along the rip fence rather than attempting a freehand cut.
2. Crosscutting Against The Wood Grain
Crosscutting, which involves cutting wood across the grain to achieve the desired length, is essentially the opposite of ripping. To perform this task, a sliding crosscut table guide is utilized, and it received its name based on the fact that it involves cutting across the grain of the wood.
If you need to make an angled or miter cut, you will have to utilize the adjustable miter gauge of your table saw. Set it to the desired angle, verify with an angle meter, and then carefully guide the workpiece through the blade while keeping it against the guide fence. However, for crosscuts, a miter saw is generally more effective.
3. Kerfing Cuts To Make A Tight Angle
To create curves in wood, one can utilize a process called kerfing. This involves making evenly spaced saw cuts on both sides of the wood, almost severing a strip. By doing so, the wood gains enough flexibility to make a tight bend. Kerfing, which involves removing parts of a board, can effectively produce curves even in thick hardwoods. The spacing of the kerf cuts needs to be closer together if a tighter angle is desired.
4. Cutting Rabbets And Grooves For Wood Joints
When using a table saw, regular joint cuts can be performed with greater ease and precision. These cuts can be visualized as elongated and narrow channels that are created in the board. Rabbets, which are cut from the board’s distant edge, are different from grooves, which are cut closer to the center.
These cuts are riskier because they involve removing the blade guard and the riving knife. Exercise great care and ensure your workspace is distraction-free and uncluttered when cutting rabbets and grooves.
5. Angled Bevel Wood Cuts
To achieve perfect bevels, it is essential to adjust the blade angle of the table saws, enabling bevel cuts. Verifying the accuracy by utilizing an angle measure is crucial when tilting the saw blade to the desired angle. Once the saw is turned on, wood can be fed into it to perform rips or crosscuts at the desired angle.
6. Cutting Various Wood Joints
In addition to rabbets and grooves, your table saw has the capability to make various other types of joint cuts. As previously mentioned, accomplishing this may involve taking off the blade guard and the riving knife.
Types of Table Saw Blades
There are four main categories of blades to choose from, and selecting the right blade for each of the mentioned cuts can make a significant difference between achieving a polished, precise cut or ending up with an uneven edge that doesn’t fit your project perfectly.
- Rip blades have large, alternately set chisel-like teeth with deep recesses between them. This makes them perfect for clearing out the large amounts of sawdust produced when cutting with the wood’s grain.
- Crosscut blades have much smaller teeth than a rip blade and are shaped to saw across the wood’s grain without tearing it.
- Combination blades are the best option for home woodshops, as they are designed to cut with and across the wood grain. While they don’t perform quite as well as a specialized rip or crosscut blade, the convenience of not having to change blades for each cut makes them a much more time-friendly option
- Carbide-tipped blades combine the performance of specialized blades with the versatility of combination blades, making them an attractive (if expensive) option for home and professional wood shops alike.
Tips When Using Table Saw
When operating a table saw, it is important to bear in mind certain precautions.
1. Wear Safety Equipment While Using a Table Saw
When using a table saw, it is important for woodworkers to wear safety glasses, dust masks, and hearing protection. Additionally, they should consider wearing appropriate shop attire. Loose-fitting clothing, neckties, and jewelry pose hazards while operating a table saw.
2. Use A Push Stick On A Table Saw
If the sheet wood or any other lumber is less than six inches from the blade, it is advisable to use a push stick. This will ensure that the woodworker’s fingers or limbs do not make contact with the blade. Push sticks can either be created in the workshop or bought from a reliable woodworking retailer.
3. Never Reach Over A Moving Blade On A Table Saw
It is important to refrain from reaching for a wood piece or tool or making any adjustments while the blade is still moving. It is advisable to wait until the blade has fully stopped before reaching or making any changes. Many accidents occur in the woodshop every year due to split-second miscalculations or lapses in concentration.
Safety Considerations
In order to fully benefit from the table saw’s safety features, it is essential to read the safety information provided in the manual and become acquainted with the machine. This is because the robust collection of safety features is perhaps the most valuable aspect of a table saw.
Regardless of how skilled you are as a woodworker, it is never advisable to stray from safe working practices, even if it means saving time or money. While working with your table saw, always remember the following safety instructions, although they do not encompass all workshop safety guidelines.
- Use the machine’s guards as recommended by the manufacturer
- Disconnect your machine from its power source before changing blades
- Never make adjustments while cutters or blades are moving
- Don’t operate a table saw while wearing loose clothing or jewelry, and always tie back long hair
- Feed wood against the direction of rotation of the table saw’s blade
- Always properly support your workpieces while cutting
- Use a push stick, not your hands, to feed your workpieces through the blade
- Never reach over a blade to remove waste or offcuts
- Keep a clean and tidy workplace, and always check the floor for debris before beginning work
Side notes
In order to fully optimize the use of a table saw, the first step is to learn how to use it safely. Table saws are highly versatile and can make precise cuts in a fast and efficient manner, making them an essential tool in both home and professional woodshops. By considering proper workshop safety and etiquette, you will develop a deep appreciation for your table saw due to its dependable performance and usefulness.
The only limitations to the benefits of a table saw are the user’s experience and imagination. In addition, we provided information on various cutting blades suitable for a table saw and offered safety tips to keep in mind.
The main point of this article is that a table saw is the most coveted and frequently utilized power tool in a woodshop. Its significance is apparent as it typically serves as the focal point of a woodworker’s arrangement.
