THE TABLE SAW
The Table Saw is a woodworking machine which is made up of a table through which a flat, circular spinning blade protrudes. The height and usually the angle of the blade can be adjusted by the operator and the blade is usually driven by belts attached to an electric motor. The depth of the cut is altered by moving the blade up and down. The higher the blade protrudes above the table, the deeper the cut that is made. The angle of cut is controlled by adjusting the angle of the blade through the use of a tilting mechanism.
The table saw can make many cuts, including grooves, dadoes, and rabbets but it is most commonly used to make wide boards narrower, a process called ripping, and to make long boards shorter, a process called crosscutting. When ripping, the fence is used to guide the stock. Crosscutting is done with the aid of the miter gauge.
The table saw can make many cuts, including grooves, dadoes, and rabbets but it is most commonly used to make wide boards narrower, a process called ripping, and to make long boards shorter, a process called crosscutting. When ripping, the fence is used to guide the stock. Crosscutting is done with the aid of the miter gauge.
SAW BLADES
A rip blade is designed to cut along the grain. It has deep chisel like teeth which remove strips or strings of the waste material as it cuts. This blade cuts quickly along the grain but does not leave a clean finish. The waste is “stringy” rather than “dust”.
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A crosscut blade uses chisel like teeth that slightly wider than the blade disc. These teeth alternate between cutting left and right with every other tooth. This can produce a very fine finish on most materials when crosscutting. The waste is typical sawdust.
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Combination blades combine the benefits of both rip and crosscut blades, and are quite common. These blades come in a variety of tooth counts, typically ranging from as low as 24-tooth to as high as 80-tooth. The rule to remember is: the more teeth, the finer the finish. Blades with a low tooth count will cut quickly and aggressively but leave a relatively rough finish, whereas a greater number of teeth will leave a cleaner finish.
MAIN PARTS OF THE TABLE SAW
SAFETY PROCEDURES
- Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles).
- Never operate the table saw without the teacher’s direct permission.
- Make sure the floor is clear in the work area.
- Secure the fence position before beginning. Ensure the fence is locked.
- Always keep the work firmly down on the table and push it past the blade.
- Always “lock-out” the table saw before changing blades.
- Never reach over the blade.
- Always use a push stick when the fence is set under 4" to the blade.
- Ask for assistance when working with large pieces.
- Stand clear of possible kickback and keep your hands clear of the blade path.
- Do not feed the material faster than the saw will accept.
- Use a fence when making a rip cut, and a mitre gauge or cross-cut sled to make cross-cuts. Never us the rip fence and miter gauge at the same time. Keep the work against the fence throughout the operation.
- Never cut a piece of material free-hand. Always use the fence or the miter gage.
- Always check the machine guards to make sure they are in place and operating, before using the machine.
AT ALL TIMES – IF IN DOUBT, SEE YOUR INSTRUCTOR
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