Table Saw Tips Step by Step! 10 Important Tips For You

Since the table saw is one of the most important tools, it is necessary to know the proper table saw tips.

If you ever meet any woodworker and ask them which tool is most important to them, the answer without any second thought would most likely be “Table Saw”.

Why?  Because it is a tool used for multi-purposes. And because of this versatile characteristic that a table saw carries, it easily finds a place in the workers’ mind. Although it can be a machine of great use, the sad reality is that if not used with caution and the right comprehensive guides, it can turn into a machine of pain. So, in this article, we are going to see some useful tips that can help us get the most out of this “user-friendly” machine.

Here Are 10 Steps of Table Saw Tips…

The tips are very essential for operate a table saw and you will be benefited to choose the perfect table saws in your budget. 

Tip#1 Basics First

A table saw is not a toy, it is a tool that has made people tell horrifying stories of losing fingers, and made a name of being the machine of KICKBACKS! You need to remember some basics before using the table saw. Here are a few.

~ Check and make sure that the blade has no chips or leftover wood stuck between its teeth.

~ Sweep off the sawdust (if any) from the tabletop before using the machine.

~ make sure that the blade is tightly screwed.

If you leave chips between the teeth then you might get unnecessary kickbacks, and you do not want that, do you? So, make sure you check properly for the chips and also sawdust.

Of course, the blade moves at a very high speed. As a result, it is dangerous. That is why screwing the blade tight is an important table saw tips you need to remember.

Keep these in mind and you will be having a safer day at the workhouse

Tip#2 The Gut

Sometimes you just know that something is wrong. If this ever happens to you when using the table saw, then that is a signal telling you to STOP! I have to remind you again that this particular tool can be very unforgiving. So, if you think that something you are doing is a bit fishy, you know “THAT GUT FEELING” we have, then stop the work right away.

If your hand positioning is not suitable and your gut says that you cannot go all the way with the cut.  Someone stands behind you and you are not sure how further away they are. All this is good signs for you to turn the machine off.

Tip#3 Care for the tool

A handy machine like the table saw needs your attention and care. The table surfaces in most table saws are of cast iron. For this reason, rust is an enemy of the table saw that you need to fight. The easiest and most effective way to make your table rust-free is waxing the surface. This will prevent rust and also make the surface smooth. So, the material will run smoothly saving you from potential kickbacks.

Working with a table saw can be exhausting. You might want a break to drink some coffee. But this puts your table saw in a vulnerable state as drops from your cup can fall on the table. You can easily prevent this by covering the table with plywood on top. You can screw it with the table and guess what you have now? An extra bench to keep your coffee cup down.

Tip#4 More Plywood Stuff

Your table must be a non-living being! What I mean is that your table MUST NOT move when you are cutting a piece of wood. Although table saws might be stable in their own way, it is better for you to add more stability.

One way to add more stability to your tool is by using a plywood base. You can use the plywood to screw or clamp your table saw to sawhorses or other things you use.

[Note: This one is not for leg set users]

Tip#5 Grabber

You need to apply pressure to the material you are cutting. If enough pressure is not applied, then you might be in for a kickback! This is where the handy tool i.e. the grabber comes in. Grabber makes work a lot easier for you. It has a wider surface and generally comes with a handle. This allows your hand to stay further from the blade. And the chances for kickbacks are also reduced.

Tip#6 Push Sticks

Nope, I did not forget about the sticks. The push sticks are more like the grabber. They help keep the material more stable. Moreover, they allow you to keep your fingers at a safer distance from the blade.

You can use one stick or two. But two is better. Because using two sticks will give you more control over the material and reduce any chance of potential kickbacks. Although the push sticks are cheaper than the grabber, I suggest losing a bit of money and buying the grabber for your own safety. But that doesn’t mean that the sticks won’t get the job done.

Tip#7 Blade Selection

A table saw come with many different blades. You need to know which blade is required for which cut. If you have the wrong blade in, then it could be devastating. So, know your blades!

Now, if you have used table saw then you should know that there are plenty of blades to choose from. And since this is table saw tips, we will mention five most common blades.

Combination Blade

This is the kind of blade you can use for making different types of cuts. That is why it is also called a general-purpose blade. It is not that handy, but it can get the job done. It is a good collection for those people who use their saw occasionally.

Cross-cut Blade

With the combination blade, you can make crosscut. But, the result will not be so pleasant as you will get a lot of tear outs. For this reason, you should use the crosscut blade.

Ask any DIY worker. They will tell you how often they have to make cross cuts. Crosscut is the cut made across the grain of the material. For a better, cleaner, smoother, and safer cross cuts, use the crosscut blade.

Rip-cut Blade

A rip cut is a cut made along the grain of the material or parallel to the grain. Just like cross-cut, rip cut are pretty useful cut that many DIY workers tend to make. It is best done with the rip-cut blade. There is no reason to use any other blade for making rip cuts if you have got a rip-cut blade.

It is better to use this blade on the harder and thicker materials.

Dado Blade

What is a dado cut? It is a cut made in such a way that it creates a slot into the surface of the piece of material. Your table saw can make really good dado cuts if you insert the right blade.

The L-shaped groove that is made on the edge of the material, called rabbets, is made with a dado blade. So, use your table saw with a dado blade for more use.

Flat-Tooth Ripping Blade

The advantage of flat-tooth blades on your table saw blade set is that they have teeth with no angles whatsoever. Unlike other blades, they are completely flat on the ends. That is why they leave a pretty smooth surface on the visible edges of joinery.

Yes, my friend. If you want to cut joinery then this blade is perfect for the job.

Make your cuts cleaner, straighter, smoother, and safer by using the right kind of blade for the right cuts.

Tip#8 Feather Board

Wondering what is a feather-board? A feather-board could be of wood or plastic. It is a flat piece of material with many flexible fingers formed in one side.

You can position the flexible fingers to apply pressure to your workpiece as it passes against the blade. This ensures a smoother cut. The feather-board is best to use for rip cuts. 

Tip#9 Blade Height, Miter Gauge, Riving knives

The wheel is used to adjust the height of the blade. What is the right height will depend on what type of cut you are making?

Working with the table saw, you will not always be making straight cuts. You will also have to make angle cuts. To help get the correct angle cuts, you will have to use the miter gauge.

But even the miter gauge might not be exactly accurate. Rather think of it as approximate. In addition to miter gauge, you can get a setup tool for further accuracy.

Use the riving knives. It lessens the chance of kickbacks. As your workpiece slides past the rolling blade, the riving knives do not let it hurl back at you.

Adjust the distance of the fence from the blade. This is a big reason for kickbacks. If the distance is not right then your workpiece gets stuck between the blade and the fence. This makes your workpiece twist and come at you with unimaginable speed. So, make sure the fence is not misplaced. And have enough space for your workpiece to glide away.

Tip#10 Outfeed Jig

When you are working with lengthy wood, your workpiece might need some extra tool to fall on.  And if it falls on the ground, this could harm your machine a great deal. You can have an outfeed jig to prevent such trouble. Your lengthy workpiece will now not fall into the ground but will continue to pass over the outfeed as you continue cutting.

One more thing to remember when using the outfeed jig. Make the jig in such a way that the height becomes even with the height of your table saw.

An Extra Tip

Learn to respect the table saw. It is useful just as it is dangerous. Many men have lost fingers, got hit by a big piece of wood in the face. Follow these 10 tables saw tips and you will be having a dance with this machine. And finally, good luck kicking the kickbacks!!!