I have two table saw blade questions:
1 – I am getting occational burn marks on the wood when ripping. What could be causing this?
2 – I am using a 8″ Freud dado blade on a very basic table saw (bench top with stand). I was cutting a tenon across the grain and found that when I exited the would wood there was a lot of splintering. Also, even though the individual cuts were good with a falt bottom, I found that when I went through multiple times to make the tenon, there was a small groove where the dado cut overlap. What could be causing this and how do I stop it from happening?
Thanks
Tom
Replies
1 - Many possible causes. The rip fence may not be parallel to the blade, or the fence could be deflecting during the cut. Might be the wrong choice of blade (e.g., too many teeth). The wood itself may be to blame: stresses in the wood can cause the kerf to close down and pinch the blade (which is also a kickback hazard).
To narrow it down a bit, check the fence alignment first. If burninng persists, note whether it's on the piece agains the fence, the offcut, or both.
2 - I suspect the dado isn't perfectly vertical (relative to the table), so it's cutting slightly deeper on one side.
Edit: My comment #2 above refers only to the overlapping groove issue. To deal with the exit splintering, attach a sacrifical fence to your miter gauge to back up the workpiece.
Edited 3/21/2005 6:10 pm ET by Kent
Most dado's will leave a small groove, the tenon is hidden so I would not be concerned. The better way to cut a tenon on a table saw is to use a tenon cutter. You can use two blades that are alike and sharpened the same amount of times. Install washers and paper shims to get the spacing you need. Make up a jig that either slides in the miter slot or against the fence. The stock should be clamped the the jig. The tenon cutter, you will have to make one as i do not think there are any made for a bench top saw.All benchtops I am familiar with do not have a 3/8'x 3/4" slot.
As far as the burning ,if you are ripping long stock and have to pause to reposition your hands, the pause will show up as a slight burn mark. Check blade for pitch or gummy deposits,sharpness and fence is paralell to the blade.
mike
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