How To Use A Table Saw? Step-By-Step Guide

Behind every completed woodwork is a properly handled table saw.

Indeed, anyone who wants to delve into woodworking must know how to use a table saw. Even though it may appear intimidating, there is nothing an in-depth guide can’t fix. Read on! You are only 10 steps away from the prerequisite for woodworking!

How To Use A Table Saw? 10 Steps

Step 1: Ensuring Safety 

Never forget that a table saw can and will injure you if you are not careful. Before you do anything else with your tool, be sure that you have your safety gears on.

Step 2: Understanding the Different Parts

Before delving into any cutting, you should be aware of the different parts of a table saw:

Fence 

The guide (positioned parallel to the blade) helps ensure that your material is kept at a fixed distance from the blade of the table saw. It is locked by a fence dog, which looks like a hand that can be lifted and/or pressed down.

Mitre Gauge 

The tool includes a projector guide to help the users make cross cuts.

Push Stick

The push stick lets you feed the material through the table saw without risking your fingers.

Blade & Blade Insert 

The blade is the part that does the cutting. The insert is what is placed to fill in the hole used for swapping blades.

Blade Height Adjustment

For the adjustment of the height of the blade, you can use this wheel.

Angle of the Blade Adjustment 

This adjusts the blade angle in relation to the table.

It includes an angle indicator attached in front of the table saw and behind the height adjustment wheel.

Step 3: Identifying the Desired Type of Cut

You must decide beforehand which type of cut you want to make with your table saw. There are 3 main types as follows:

Rip Cut 

Rip cut refers to when you saw a piece of wood in the direction of its grain. You can do this with the fence as a guide for the desired width.

Crosscuts

This is when you slice across the grain of the wood to get a specific length. You do crosscuts with the help of a mitre gauge.

Step 4: Setting the Height of the Blade

In this step, you set the height of the blade. There are two common ways to do:

1. Set the blade roughly 0.3175 cm higher than the top of what you are cutting. Though this method will help minimize injuries, it can cause tear-out at the bottom of the board.
2. Set the blade a lot higher than the top of what you are cutting. This way is considered riskier but can lower the chances of tear-out at the bottom.

Step 5: Deciding on Angled Cuts

If you intend to make angled cuts using a table saw, you should know that there are two cuts that you can make:

1. Angled cut relative to the plane of the blade.
2. Angled cut relative to the plane of the table.

Step 6: Adjusting the Fencing

If you want to cut your material to a specific length, you need to adjust the fence by lifting the lever and getting the fence to slide side to side.

Also, you keep in mind:

The fence does not always stay fully square to the blade. You must make sure that the distance from the fence to the front and the back of the blade is the same.

Step 7: Choosing the Blades

You can always rely on the standard blades to make your cuts. But if you want to ensure precise cuts along with smooth trenches, you had better use dado blades and remember to switch from the standard insert to wide gap inserts as well.

Step 8: Making the Cut

Rip Cut 

1. Turn on the table saw and make sure that the blade reaches its full speed.
2. Guide the material along the rip fence using one or both hands

*Note: When you make narrow rips that require your fingers to be only a few centimetres away from the blade, use a push stick for safety.

Crosscuts

1. Use a mitre gauge instead of a fence for this cut.
2. Place the material at the front edge of the mitre gauge.
3. Turn the table saw on and see to it that the blade is at full speed.
4. Slide the entire mitre gauge and the material through the blade.

Step 9: Maintenance-Checking

Check for any signs of wear, like if all the teeth are still on the blade. You must repair or replace worn-out parts as soon as you identify them.

10: Cleaning

Wrap up your process by cleaning up your working space. You can use a broomstick or a vacuum to eliminate all straying sawdust. Also, be sure to empty the catchment bin.

In Sum

So, there you have it! You now know how to use a table saw. Be sure that you follow each step closely and treat the tool with respect. Don’t forget to share your learning experience in the comments!