The table saw is the undisputed king of home improvement tools. It is also one of the most dangerous. Despite the fact that there are table saw safety tutorials all over the Internet, many users just don’t seem to get it and there are far too many case studies of table saw accidents. Many could have been prevented by following some table saw safety tips. Some of these tips are simple common sense, which seems to be in short supply with some table saw users, while others have to do with properly operating the saw and managing the stock the saw “eats.” The final category of table saw safety tips is understanding the limitations of your saw. Let’s look at each of these.
Common Sense Table Saw Safety Tips
The vast majority of table saws out there are either bench top table saws or portable saws, and most have universal motors. These motors can be so noisy many local governments have ordinances regulating the times during which they can be used. So why would anyone in their right mind operate a table saw without hearing protection? Cost? If you just spent somewhere between $100 and $500 or more on the table saw, surely you can afford a pair of protective ear muffs for around $20. And you can get a pair of quality ear plugs for a few dollars.
Where do you suppose the dust a table saw spits up comes from? It’s ground up wood and sometimes –especially when the user fails to properly manage the stock – the saw hits something it doesn’t like and instead of dust you have a flying projectile on the loose. So why would anyone operate a table saw without wearing safety glasses?
A table saw’s blade has big bad teeth that will grab anything that comes near them, including that dangling neck medallion you got last Christmas. So why would anyone wear jewelry or any kind of baggy clothing that could get grabbed by those teeth?
Finally, the designers of these saws put stuff where it is for a reason, so if you take something off – like maybe the blade guard or the throat plate insert -- why wouldn’t you put it back where it belongs? If you’re changing the blade – after first having disconnected the table saw from its power source – and you don’t replace the throat plate you’ve created a space around the blade where the stock can sag and ragged wood can fall through. And not reattaching the blade guard poses even greater dangers. Not only do you have no protection from the spinning blade the splitter and anti kickback prawls in most saws are attached to the blade guard so your protection from kickback is gone as well.
Operating Safety Tips
Before you turn on the saw make sure all safety features are set properly. Check the blade guard assembly and make sure the rip fence is secured or if you are using the miter gauge that it is gliding smoothly. Make sure the area around the saw is clear of cut stock or any other stuff you might have to step over when operating the saw. Most motors require a little time to reach their maximum RPMs so wait for that before you begin feeding stock. As you rip wood, do not stand directly behind the blade. Standing to the side a little will help keep you safe from kickback. Stand comfortably and make sure you maintain good balance as you feed the saw. If you need to readjust the rip fence, turn off the saw and wait till it stops spinning before doing so.
Safety Tips for Managing Stock
Inspect the wood for hidden nails or other fasteners – in the case of recycled wood – or for knots in new wood before feeding it to the saw. For short pieces make sure you use a push stick to feed the stock. Even if you don’t care about precision cuts, do not free hand the stock – use the rip fence or the miter gauge to guide it through.
Know the Limitations of Your Equipment
If you have an industrial cabinet saw you won’t have to worry about things like stability and vibration or about how tough the wood is. But if you have a lower end bench top saw, or a very lightweight portable saw, you should expect this and be prepared for it. The lighter the saw the more prone it is to instability and even tipping, especially when trying to feed large stock. If your saw has no side or out feed extensions do not attempt to feed a 12 foot board with your right hand and try to hold it up with your left as it comes out the rear of the saw. Buy aftermarket table saw extensions or as a last resort, fashion your own.
A final note about equipment is to look as closely at the saw’s safety features as you do at its performance or portability. There are portable saws out there with blade guards that can be removed and reattached without tools. Sawstop has both a cabinet and contractor saw with flesh sensors built in that automatically shut the saw down if the blade senses human flesh too near.
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