A table saw is one of the most common and useful tools in the workshop for professionals and non-professionals alike. A healthy respect for all tools is important. However, the need for safety around the large rotating blades of a table saw is obvious. We've written more extensively about table saw safety standards, but these 7 table saw safety tips can save you from serious injury.
- 1. Use push rods and push blocks
- 2. Be sure to install the blade guard
- 3. Kickback claws are an essential table saw safety feature
- 4. A riving knife helps prevent kickback
- 5. Stand aside while tearing
- 6. Wait until the blade stops spinning
- 7. Be aware of your surroundings
1. Use push rods and push blocks
In our opinion, the best way to not get cut by a table saw blade is to make sure that no part of your body is near it. All fingers, hands, arms, etc. should have a good alibi when the blade is spinning. Those alibi should all include that they were far from the blade. If a finger or hand does get close to the blade (such as when the blade needs to be replaced), be sure to remove the blade first. Of the 5 essential table saw safety tips, this is probably the most obvious and the most important.
2. Be sure to install the blade guard
The blade guard is a great safety feature, reminding us to be careful of the spinning blade during the cutting process. They allow the stock to be pushed across the cutting line without exposing the blade.
3. Kickback claws are an essential table saw safety feature
The riving knife discussed below prevents kickbacks by itself. However, there are even more benefits to be gained by using the included recoil claws. Together, these two features help prevent Type 2 kickback, as described in our article "Setting the Optimal Table Saw Blade Height". If during the cut, the stock gets over the teeth coming out of the table and starts to lift, the recoil pawls will grab it and help hold it in place. You can damage your workpiece, but anything that stops your material from turning into a projectile is a plus in our book.
4. A riving knife helps prevent kickback
A riving knife functions the same as a riving knife, but moves as the blade is raised and lowered. The splitter remains stationary as the blade is raised and lowered, so it's safest (and most like a riving knife) at the higher limit. But as the blade is lowered, the gap between the separator and the blade increases, so does the chance for a piece of material to get between them. That's why we think a hacking knife is better than a hacking knife.
5. Stand aside while tearing
The safest area around a rotary table saw blade is anywhere other than the cutting line of the saw blade. Get in the habit of standing to the side of the blade when making rip cuts. You want to make sure as much as possible that any material rushing towards you has a chance to miss your body.
6. Wait until the blade stops spinning
Wait for the blade to stop spinning before removing the debris. Then you can collect inventory from the table. This is especially true when rip cuts are left with material between the fence and blade. Good to know – Unplug the saw when you're done cutting.
7. Be aware of your surroundings
You could probably list many more specific table saw safety tips. We'll classify this as a sensible general tip. Are there any cords or scraps that could trip over during the cutting process? Are you wearing safety glasses? tab?
We hope you found these 7 basic table saw safety tips useful! If you're a pro and you have table saw tips, add them to the comments below – or contact us with your own pro tips. Have fun sawing!