SCW Woodworkers Club
Club House Phone Number: (623) 546-4722
Print this .pdf file for your records
Table Saw Safety
  1. Safety—you are the one in charge!!
  2. Definition of Accident:
    • An event occurring by chance or arising from unknown causes.
    • An unfortunate event resulting from:
      • Carelessness.
      • Unawareness .
      •  Ignorance.
      • Or a combination of causes
  3. Wood cutting saws—other options:
    • Panel saw.
      • For crosscutting full plywood panels.
    • Radial arm saw
      • For crosscutting small boards.
    • Band saw.
      • For cutting round/oval items, or small items.
      • For resawing.
    • Sliding compound miter saw (chop saw)
      • For crosscutting narrow boards.
      • For cutting compound angles.
  4. Read or be familiar with tool operation. See general safety instructions posted near the machine
  5. If you need assistance with any operation, please ask the floor monitor, shop manager, any one wearing an “Ask Me” badge, or any one with a “Certified Shop Manager” badge.
  6. Points of safety.
    • Main or primary off/on switch. Kills all power to machine.
      • Use this when working on blades or inside machine.
    • Off/on switch.
    • Kick off switch.
    • Blade height—bottom of deepest gullet.
      • Go higher for 1/8” & ¼” thick stock.
    • Kick back.
    • Push blocks.
      • Use a push block or any operation close to the blade.
      • Use push stick to clear wood scraps from the table saw.
      • Board push stick.
      • Plywood push block.
      • Show proper feed procedures to use them both.
    • Use feather board where applicable.
    • When starting up machine
      • Make sure blade is clear of wood and the fence.
      • Make sure rip fence is locked in position before ripping.
      • Before ripping a board, make sure the edge is in contact with the rip fence is smooth and completely straight and the surface against the table is flat.
      • Always feed wood into the blade against the direction of rotation.
      • If you have to reach past the blade, keep your hands at least three inches from the blade.
      • Do not start a cut until the blade is running full speed.
      • Avoid cutting warped boards, use a band saw.
        • Don’t stand directly behind blade.
          • Carbide bits have been known to fly off on start up.
        • Make sure no one is directly behind you when starting up.
    • For large pieces have a monitor help you.
  7. Accessories for the table saw.
    • Splitter—should always be in place except for dado work.
      • This helps to keep the wood from binding and pinching the blade.
    • Feather board—helps to keep small pieces of wood down on the table top and against the fence.
    • Sled:
      • Use when making crosscuts of long boards or panels.
      • Use with fence or stop block for making repetitive cuts.
      • When cut is finished, turn off and wait for blade to stop before pulling sled back. (Prevents blade from binding on wood)
  8. Dangerous practices.
    • If interrupted, complete the operation under way before turning off the saw and looking up.
    • Before cutting a work piece, remove any loose knots. Inspect salvaged wood for nails and screws before cutting.
    • No free hand cuts on the table saw.
    • Never operate the table saw cross handed.
    • No crosscutting with fence and miter gauge on the opposite sides of the blade.
    • No backing out pieces between fence and blade (wait for blade to stop)
    • Always complete cutting operation
      • Don’t back out board while blade is running.
        • This is a good way to cause a kickback!
    • Taking hands off wood between blade and fence before blade stops.
    • Leaving miscellaneous items (tape measure, pencils, etc..) on the table work space.
    • Not using push blocks on narrow pieces. (If the distance from the fence to the blade is less than the width of your hand, use a push block)
    • Trying to pull small pieces stuck between blade and insert opening.
      • Turn off machine, wait for blade to stop and then pull out piece.
    • Walking away from machine while it’s still running (wait for it to stop)
    • If you think it’s dangerous, it probably is!!
  9. When crosscutting, it’s best to keep the “good side up” for a smoother cut (less possibility for chip out)
  10. Bevel or Angle Cuts.
    • Can only use machines #1, 2 & 3 for bevel or angle cuts. When using these machines, make sure blade is square to table top.
    • Other machines can’t be tilted because they tilt to the right.
    • When finished, make sure blade is square to table top.
    • Before making a bevel cut, make sure that the rip fence will clear the blade.
  11. Dado cuts (stackable blades):
    • Turn off power with main switch
    • Raise to highest position and remove main blade from arbor.
      • Use piece of wood to block blade while loosening nut.
      • Keep a finger over nut and washer when removing them from arbor. This helps to prevent them from falling down into the machine base.
      • Do not place blade on metal table top (this can damage blade)
    • Check sides of cutter dado blades to make sure carbide tips are not touching each other.
    • Blade thickness:
      • Cutter blades = 1/8”
      • Chipper blades = 1/16”, 1/8”, and ¼”
      • Use different combinations for proper width of dado.
      • There are shims that can be used for fine tuning of dado cut.
    • Replace washer and nut (keep finger in hole when putting on arbor)
    • Put on dado insert in table top.
    • Adjust dado height for depth of cut and tighten wheel knob.
    • Adjust fence from right side of cutter tooth.
    • Turn main power switch on.
    • Turn machine on and run a test cut.
    • Make any minor adjustments that may be necessary.
    • When taking off blades—Remember to have main power switch turned off.
    • Remove only one dado blade at a time (do not place blades on metal table top)
  12. When finished with any cuts.
    • Lower blade before clean-up.
    • ait for machine to stop.
    • Loosen tension knob on wheel that raises the blade.
    • Clean up mess.
  13. Never interrupt a woodworker in the middle of a cut.
  14. Avoid loud conversation around table saws which might distract an operator.
  15. These rules are for your benefit and to help create a safe work environment.
  16. The final responsibility for safety rests with each member.
    • (Look behind cabinet door above water fountain)
  17. Let’s all keep our attention on the safe way!