If you think of promptness and perfection at the same time while cutting something up, then a table saw is just exactly what’s going to get you that. But how many of us know how to use a table saw properly?
Knowing the right thing about the right parts and their contribution can guide you to deal with such a thing. Let’s see how to use this tools in the right way.
How to Use a Table Saw: Easy Tips
As the first step to know to use a table saw, you must know all the parts to understand how these parts going to contribute to accomplishing the work by following the guideline.
According to the price of the table saw, the size of the blade is different. For most of the woodworking project 10″ is the ideal size for the blade. But for small work and deeper cuts you’re going to need a different size of the blades.
Here all the parts of a table saw are given below.
- Table: Most of the table is made of cast aluminum or steel. But some tables also available in foldable versions.
- Blade: The most crucial parts of the table saw that can be raised or lowered according to your cutting formation.
- Fence: To get the best result during a ripping cut, a rip fence keeps the material steady at a particular distance from the blade.
- Miter gauge: If you want to make a crosscut, then this device is something mandatory to assist you.
- Fence Dog: It is a lock that holds the fence in place against its movement.
- Blade height adjustment wheel: To adjust and get the perfect height of the blade according to your work preference this tool will help you.
- Blade angle adjustment lever: To change the angle of the blade, this wheel is important. Most of the adjustment lever is installed behind the height adjustment wheel.
- Power button: To turn the machine on or off, you just need to pull this button up or down.
To use a table saw perfectly. There are a few accessories you will find. These accessories come on the basis of the design.
So the best suggestion is, before you start doing your job on a table saw, you must read the manual that comes along with the table.
Way to Use a Table Saw Perfectly
If you are using a table saw for the first time, then you must know all the tasks of the job step by step. For every woodworking project, all the steps can be divided into 3 sections. Let’s have a glance over them.
- The safety
- How To Rip
- How to crosscut
Before you start the task with a table saw, make sure that it is safe enough to deal with this tool which is dangerous for some inexperienced or underage people.
The Safety
Always remember safety is the priority when it comes to getting started with a task. Handling and getting the best result is not the last thing for a table saw, especially when there is a question about proper safety.
For a table saw, it becomes necessary. There are lots of examples of woodworkers and pros who faced serious injuries at times. All of it happened because of being unknown to the way to handle such tools with proper safety.
When you are trying to do the job at high velocity with the material, then it is dangerous; even the finger can be pulled towards the blade. Preventing kickbacks is very important.
Let’s take a look at some of the tips for using a table saw with safety.
- It’s not the right way to start the table saw at the same time when the material (Wood) is near to touch the blade.
- The rip fence gives great support for a cut. When you are making a rip cut, you must use the fence for more safety and accuracy.
- Don’t get confused between the meter gauge and the rip fence. Crosscuts always need the meter gauge because this tool will provide you with enough support where the rip fence doesn’t.
- During the cutting session, keep the material completely flat; otherwise, it will move.
- Use goggles and ear protection gear.
Before you start the table saw, disconnect it from the main power and make your angle and align the blade.
Last but not the list read the manual that comes along with the table saw. Because according to the model some safety issues can be changed to use it perfectly.
About the Cut
Using a table saw people can get lots of shapes and cuts. A table saw uses for two different cuts. One is ripping and another is the crosscut. These two cuts also the most common cuts people use as a woodworking task.
Ripping defines to cut material according to the width. On the other hand, crosscutting represents length. So, according to the cut, the use of a table saw is different.
How to Rip?
A table saw has some basic use. Ripping is one of these. It’s also a very simple task to be done. For that, you need to use the rip fence. It will provide enough support to cut the material with the desired width. So let’s see how we can do it step by step.
Step 1:
First of all, you have to unplug the table saw. Now take a rip blade and fit it on the table. This rip blade should be perfect for the material you are going to rip. Use the blade height adjustment wheel to adjust the height.
When the height is ensured, it’s going to cut almost ¼” above the thickness. Then you are ok to cut the material. There is a nut called the arbor nut.
It holds the blade in position. Take a wrench, especially the one that comes along with the table to loosen the nut and position the blade perfectly. Now tight up the nut and secure the blade position.
Step 2:
Positioning the rip fence is an important task to make the desired cut. There is a lever that used to lock the fence. Now release it and get the scope to position the fence according to the width you need.
To get a perfect measurement, try to use a measurement tape despite the ruler. Its measurement defines the distance from the fence to the blade teeth.
During the measurement, keep in mind the kerf which needs to be cut away. Then you will get a perfect measurement.
Step 3:
Turn on the table saw by plugging it in the socket. Take the material and place it on the table perfectly. But it must follow the line of rip fence to be aligned perfectly.
Wait for the blade to get full momentum. After that, you can proceed to touch the material towards the blade.
Step 4:
Hold the material in both hands. It will ensure the cut of the material smoothly. But guide it firmly. Make sure that the material is flat to the table.
For the large and thick board, you have to use both hands to guide the material. At the end of the ripping, use one hand. If the material is long enough, then add extra support as an extension at the end of the table to hold.
If the material gets flat because of the extension, then the cutting process makes it much easier otherwise the kickback tendency will grow up.
Step 5:
Another way to hold the material is by using a push stick. This will secure your hand, especially when hands are near to the blade.
Using this stick holds the material and guide it to the blade. This stick is also good for ripping narrow materials because a narrow rip increases the chance to close your hand to the blade, it even can go for a few inches.
So, keep it secured and use the push stick.
How to Crosscut
Crosscut is also a popular and common cut that can be done using a table saw. Most people get the wrong perception between ripping and crosscut. So, they use a rip fence instead of the meter gauge.
Most of the crosscuts are made using the narrow material. The basic formula is, rip fence cannot fit with the material, which is not long enough, but a miter gauge can.
To avoid dangerous kickbacks you must use a meter gauge.
- First of all unplug table saw. There is an arbor where you need to place the blade for crosscut and secure it with the nut.
- A meter gauge is used for a crosscut. So it must set it with perfect alignment and angle. To do this, you have to adjust the protractor guide. In two-position, it can be done. One is straight and another one is angled.
- Now take the material and place it on the table. Align it to the front edge. If you need more support, then use its clamps.
- Now, turn on the table saw and let the wood touch the blade after the blade gets full speed.
- Move the material forward slowly. Be careful about your hand. Because your hand is getting close to the blade.
Last Words
This device is versatile to use and saves your valuable time while cutting the material, especially the wood and board. The right technique is the key to using this tool flawlessly.
The proper safety equipment, other supportive accessories, the right position of the blade, and many more things influence how to use a table saw in the best manner.
