Hi,
In another discussion, I mentioned I have TABLE SAW RULES that I hand out to all my woodworking students and drill these rules into their heads.
I have found that the rules really help everyone in my classes to use the tablesaw safer and easier.
I am offering them here to anyone who may find them useful,especially newbies.
Feedback is welcome-I really tried to keep it simple.
cheers,
silver
Replies
How about proper work support for large pieces/panels and use of an outfeed table?
J.P.
One more rule: If a proposed cut makes you nervous, find another way to do it!
As you gain knowledge of woodworking, you also gain knowledge of what cuts are on the edge of safety. If it doesn't feel safe, there's another way to do it.
If you take a 99% chance 1000 times, chances are, you'll lose at least once!! Losing with a table saw can mean a high speed run to the ER!!
Very well said.
Bill in Madera, CA
My computer is being cranky this morning and I can't open the file to see the rules.
After a good friend (another Shop teacher) had a major accident on the table saw I wrote across the front of the table "DO NOT use remaining fingers as push stick" Since my students were aware of the accident, it served as a reminder that safety is MUCH more important than speeed of production. SawdustSteve
Silver,
Thanks for the TS rules, I was at the wood workers tool show in Milwaukee 2 Sats. ago & tried to watch a demo by a guy selling Forrest saw blades.
This guy broke so many safety rules I said out loud, "This guy is a idiot, I can't watch"
I walked away, several other spectators agreed & walked too.
He had the blade at least 2" above his wood & kept reaching in to clear his scrape.
He also was using a 12" miter saw making compound cuts on a tiny tiny block of wood. He had the blade tilted to the left & angled to the right, reached in under the blade with his fingers within a few inches & ROAR cut off a piece of this small block.
Most of the pepole watching this are week end wood workers & they see this guy doing a demo of danger, I wonder how many novices guys will get hurt, Monkey see monkey do syndrome.
Oh well
PJE
Also, cut only stock that is squared up.In school we used 2" as the min. rip width,not 6", before we had to use a push stick.
An other TS safety rule should include using the band saw, if available, for small pieces. The added benefit is, band saws waste less wood.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled