Wisdom from expert to apprentice
Ask a group of woodworkers what the optimal table saw blade height is, and you might quickly crave the relative politeness of a political or religious conversation. Opinions abound. Some say the blade should not be more than 1/8 inch above the cutting surface, while others say the blade should rise to the floor of the esophagus (the space between the teeth).
Some say a height prevents more kickback and minimizes tearing. Then there's the usual restraint, which is all about the rake (front angle). You may find that you don't have the answers—even after you've listened to multiple professionals. This isn't even the first time we've written about it. So what is the correct table saw blade height ? Here are some things for you to consider about setting the optimal table saw blade height—it's the same one we've seen in live table saw battles.
angular event
The angle of incidence is how the blade approaches the wood. The lower blade height has a smaller angle. The force is directed primarily at the operator, which can be dangerous in Type 1 kickback, where material is pushed back by the front teeth of the blade in the direction it came from. In the more dangerous Type 2 kickback situation—where a piece of already-sawed material is snapped off by a back tooth rising out of the board—the lower angle of incidence pushes the shrapnel lower, threatening some sensitive areas.
Taller blades have higher angles of incidence. Type 1 kickback is less likely because the front teeth penetrate further down into the material under force towards the table surface. However, the higher angle means that Type 2 recoil is more dangerous, as shrapnel can be propelled towards higher parts of the user (throat, face, head, eyes…you get the idea) through the rear teeth rising from the plate.
it's getting hotter in here
A lower blade height means more of the teeth will be in contact with the wood, which causes more heat to be generated during the cut. This also means that the saw has a slower feed rate due to less efficient material removal. With hardwoods, this has the potential to burn the edge of the workpiece. The opposite is true for higher blade heights – the cut is cooler and faster because fewer teeth are in contact with the material. It's easy to see why there are so many opinions on setting the best table saw blade height.
On a table saw, material can tear or splinter right side down as the cut cuts through unsupported fibers on the surface. This can be mitigated in a number of ways, but all other things being equal, a lower blade will cause less tearing and a taller blade will cause more tearing. We'll discuss specific ways to avoid tearing in another article. Now, be sure to read our article on choosing the best table saw.
safety hazard
Some would say it's safer not to leave more of the blade exposed. Others argue that rotating table saw blades are dangerous at almost any height that makes them useful. So what's the verdict?
There is no doubt that the discussion will continue. But perhaps the importance of blade height is superseded by the safety tools and precautions taken by the table saw user. As one woodworker said, " A right cut is a safe cut". To minimize dangerous Type 2 kickback, the separator Good on old saws, but better on more modern riving knives . It prevents the saw blade from passing through the back teeth of the blade and creating a projectile.
Do consider securing the blade guard in place as well. The powerful saw and sharp blade prevent Type 1 kickback, and the feather board and push rod push down and down. Many blades claim to be suitable for all purposes, but consider blades designed specifically for the type of material and the way you cut it. This means you should specify the number of teeth, rake angle (front angle), etc. Of course, always wear goggles .
So what is the optimal table saw blade height? As you know, the answer is a firm "it depends". Hopefully we've given you enough information to justify why you use your preferred method. If you're a pro and have table saw blade height tips to pass along to our apprentice readers, please leave them in the comments below — or contact us with your own pro tips.