new table saw

[GrampaJim]

Being new to scroll saws (and any other woodworking) I decided that using by scroll say to ruff cut sheets of BB etc, was not the best option.  My woodworking friends, said get a table saw - you don't need anything great, just a cheap one from Menards.  Being on a really tight budget, I did just that.

Well.... as I said, I'm new to this, so I should learn more about table saws.  YouTube has all the answers, right?  After an evening of watching videos on how to and safety, I am almost (but not quite) scared to turn the beast on.  I will, and I will master it, but the posssibility of loosing fingers and getting nailed by kickback will make you cautious.  :-)

[Wilson's Woodworking]

Oh who needs all 10 digits anyways? I have been using a table saw since I was about 12 years old and I still have all 10 of mine. Although I do have a notch in my thumb where I ran it over the blade once. Good thing the blade was adjusted to barely clear the wood or it would have taken the thumb off just above the knuckle.

 

Be safe but use push blocks and enjoy the new toy.

You may like this link also

www.woodsmithshop.com

sign up for their Email tips and you can get all kinds of info from the website.

[Multifasited]

Congrats- TIP ,work alone ,helpers ,and on lookers are very problematic ,concentration ,un -devided attention and thought are paramount ,Have 3-still have all digits ,came close a couple times ,all caused by one of the above ,great ----unforgiving powerful tool !

[herrwood]

A table saw is not unsafe you just need to respect it. You can cut your finger when carving a turkey if you are not careful.

A table saw is a great tool I have used one for years.  Once you get use to the saw you will be amazed what you can do with it.

Get the best you can afford a cheap tool is never a good investment.

[amazingkevin]

I built a book store all by myself,used formica on the saw top and adjoinging tAbles to hold full sheets of 3/4" plywood back in 1996.I can't do one sheet now!I went thru a case of drywall screws assembling them. there were stacks and stacks of angled sides cut 8' tall,piles of 4' shelves.I think i used 50 or more sheets too.I had plenty of respect for the saw  then . i got it jamed once and blew the motor. I  thought sure with all that cutting i'd have a terrible accident ,but no.Guess i was focused.No distractions.

[Bendita]

The day I trimmed my Thumbnail with a table saw was when I decided it was time for glasses, A table saw one of the best tools ever invented but must be respected if your new to it make sure you keep all safety gadgets in place use push sticks and no distractions in your shop. This is one tool that requires full concentration. Have fun with it. The use is unlimited.

.../Hans

 

PS next investment is a router table NO?

Edited November 21, 2014 by Bendita

[Mort]

Great advice on the push blocks. I made a few different styles, one I just traced an old handsaw handle and cut it out of a piece of 1x pine. You can run it over the blade all you want, and when it gets worn down, you just cut out a new one. That way, you don't cut your thumb off, like a former co-worker of mine just did.

[oldhudson]

Congrats on your new purchase. As someone who does more that his fair share of woodworking please let me pass on a couple of 'tips' - 'suggestions'. 

 

In woodworking the most important thing is sharp cutting tools. Any power saw will cut better with a really good blade. So IMHO invest in a high end, thin kerf, combination blade or maybe one for plywood in your case. The blades I've had the best luck with are Freud.

 

Use the guards, especially the spliter. Failure to use a spliter can cause stock to pinch the blade causing kickback.

 

Learn how to or have someone who knows adjust the fence so it's exactly parallel to the blade. Wood being pinched between the blade and fence is a common cause of kickback.

 

Make use of push blocks and feather boards to keep you hands away for the blade.

 

I don't think you'll be sorry that you purchased a table saw but I always breakdown sheet goods with a circular saw. I don't want to be wrestling large sheets on the table saw. I have a cutting table that I use for this that comes apart and store in a corner but for years I layed down a sheet of 2" ridgid form isullation on the garage floor and used a guide and circular saw on my hands and knees to breakdown plywood. I just find it easier to move the saw than a guide a big sheet of pw.