Learn Table Saw Safety

 Prerequisite: Cage Access and Power Tool Training

Take a look at the information below and then schedule your Training with David.

Using a Table Saw

As you all know by now there are standard safety precautions when using any power tool. These include: personal protection (safety glasses, no loose clothing or hair, etc.), staying focused, not being in a hurry, and having a clean work area. 

Now we need to talk about proper techniques for using a table saw and then a bit about our specific saw - the SAWSTOP saw. This brand of saw is very safe because the blade stops immediately (1/5000 of a second) when it senses conductivity. This means it won't cut your finger off. However, that does not mean there are no safety things to consider. This second 15-min video is a HS shop teacher both talking about the special features of the SAWSTOP saw and the proper techniques he teaches his students. Enjoy and learn something!!

 

These next two videos are optional. Starting about minute 6 in this Power Tool Institute video you will learn about the many different cuts that can be made using a table saw. These are some more advanced cuts and it is good to know what can be done with this saw, lots of stuff!! However we are not teaching them or allowing them in our shop except with more training or under supervision.

 

The next optional video is interesting as it is a promo video explaining the "patented sawstop feature". It is really an amazing technology.

 

Stop-Saw Orientation

Yes you have to read this . . . some of it will be on the quiz.

How to place in By-Pass Mode:

  • Power On…wait for steady green with no red 
  • Turn key and hold…wait for single red blink 
  • Pull start button…wait for single red blink 
  • Release key…watch for steady green blink – By Pass successful! 
  • NOTE: If saw is shut off - it goes back to the default SawStop mode.
  • When in doubt about the possibility of conductivity do a test cut in bypass mode

Saw Stop Specific

 Default mode is SawStop so only cut non-conductive items such as: 

  • Regular wood (plywood, press board, etc.)
  • Plastic 
  • Foam 
  • Cardboard 
  • Corian 
  • Melamine, etc.

Conductive materials such the following require use of “By-pass Mode."

  • Aluminum, metals 
  • Carbon fiber materials 
  • Mirrored acrylic 
  • Wet, soaked wood 
  • Wood with nails/staples 
  • Pressure treated wood (Copper sulfite)

General Table Saw Safety

  • Personal protection including eyes, sleeves rolled up and hair pulled back.
  • Check to make sure your board is not warped and that you are cutting on the straight edge.
  • Stand slightly off to one side.
  • Eyes looking at fence.
  • “Pushing” is done with right hand that is between saw and fence. Left hand is guide only.
  • Never cut freehand
  • Never use miter guage
  • Do not cut without blade guard without supervision
  • First two times using saw after training require supervision.
  • Buddy system - never cut alone.

Rip cuts on table saw

  • 0-3.5” use "push then pull" method. material must be at least 24 inches to use this method.
  • 3.5" plus standard with fingers over fence until about 8 inches.
  • Wider than 8 inch cuts OK to have hand flat on board (not hooked over fence)
  • Dado or pocket cuts see us.
  • Larger than 4 feet in either direction see us.
  • Don't use the table saw for a miter saw! The miter saw takes material up to 16 inches!

NOTE: As with other power tools, the online, and face to face training are the starting point. The first few times you use the equipment you need to have supervision during use.

For those over achievers: Here is a bit Links to an external site. about selecting the right saw blade for the job.