Using a table saw

[wounded horse]

What is the consensus here on using a table saw without a second adult in attendance? I've decided today to have someone around to throw the power if needed. Not had a close one just decided to not saw alone in future.

[Dan30]

I don't think a second person there is completely necessary, but if you feel more comfortable with someone else there then more power to ya.

[WB]

I much prefer to work alone.

[Bruce Weldy]

I much prefer to work alone.

+1

Less distractions. Nobody trying to "help" the wood through, thereby creating a kickback situation.

Truth is, ain't nobody quick enough to turn off the power. The only advantage is that someone will be close by to drive you to the hospital .

Be vigilant, be aware, plan your cuts, make sure the saw is tuned up and in alignment, then take your time.

The only time I want any help with a cut is when I'm ripping a 4x8 sheet and then I only want them to put their hand underneath the ply to act as a table extension - I'll do the pushing.

[LiefStevens]

I mostly use my table saw alone but saws scare the (insert expletive) out of me! I grew up around a lot of carpenters, many of whom had missing fingers. My father is a carpenter (still has all his fingers) and taught me to have a healthy respect for saws. I firmly believe saws are one tool you really don't want to go low end on. The Bosch table saw I'm using has some nice safety features that make me feel a lot more comfortable using it. If I ever have to cut anything that makes me nervous I make a jig. If I'm feeling tired or unfocused I take a break. Fear can be a good thing.

[Harley]

Be vigilant, be aware, plan your cuts, make sure the saw is tuned up and in alignment, then take your time.

+1 probably Rule #1

[LelandCrooks]

http://www.speakerhardware.com/micro_ji ... GR200b.php

Not just a plug because I sell them. I sell them because I use them, practically for every cut. Every time you make a cut, slow down, take a breath and think about the cut. I catch myself starting to hurry, and just stop for a bit, less than a minute.

Still waiting for my sawstop saws.

[Israel]

my second person is an outfeed table

[Dan30]

http://www.speakerhardware.com/micro_ji ... GR200b.php

Not just a plug because I sell them. I sell them because I use them, practically for every cut. Every time you make a cut, slow down, take a breath and think about the cut. I catch myself starting to hurry, and just stop for a bit, less than a minute.

Still waiting for my sawstop saws.

Those sawstops are gnarly! If you have one already have you tripped it yet?

[subharmonic]

Also if you rough cut the big sheets down with a circular saw and straight edge makes handling them on the table easier. Get a 4x8 of 1" insulating foam. Cut off 2" on the 4' side and the 8' side, you can lay it flat and do a 1" overcut on a full ply sheet with little hassle. The 1" smaller foam lets you have a good place to clamp.

So EG. You need a 25" x 48" piece, rough cut a 26.75" piece. Run the 27.75" piece through the table saw to give you a easy to handle piece with tablesaw accuracy. Then take your 1.75" strip minus the blade kirf and rip that to 1.5", laminate three of those and you are starting your fleet of guide boards, these you can never have too many.

[LelandCrooks]

Those sawstops are gnarly! If you have one already have you tripped it yet?

I'm cheap so I'm waiting for one of the closest dealers to have an order to combine with mine. I don't really want to spend 500 bucks on freight.

My business partner has offered to pay to trip one when I get them just to see it. Repairs are only about 60 bucks, but it also destroys the blade.

[doncolga]

Early in my building I bought a used one but ended up not using it. Did circular and jig saw for everything.

[guitarkeys.com]

I've used every tool there is incorrectly - but won't do it with a table saw. It's things like kickback etc... that I've never seen one do, that will scare you.

I work in a cabinet shop. Guys that have been doing it 20+ years respect the table saw.

If your not comfortable with it, find someone who knows what they are doing to teach you.

Jamie

[Rick Lee]

Just saw this:
"This week, news emerged that Consumer Products Safety Commission Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum has directed her staff to draft a new tablesaw safety regulation package, which will be released for public comment in September. Does this mean we're one step closer to higher tool prices? Who knows? The fact of the matter is that opinions differ widely, regarding exactly how much SawStop-style technology would add to the base price of a tablesaw. While SawStop inventor Steve Gass puts the cost at about $100 per unit, other industry insiders beg to differ. And quite frankly, they're not too keen on having to pay Gass and his crew for the licensing. Case in point: Bosch, which is trumpeting its own newly designed blade guards before the feds. According to Bosch representatives, their new breed of tablesaw blade guard is hands-down, infinitely better than the old school guards so many woodworkers habitually take off their saws the moment they assemble them."

Here come the feds!

[hilo4noff]

I always hated my table saw too. until I picked up a real table saw with 3 extensions at a yard sale for about a hundred bucks. The people were moving and the saw with extensions and legs on it just about filled up the back of a pickup, so they decided to let it go. The difference is like night and day from that direct drive little screaming demon of a portable saw to the full sized 3 horse belt drive saw with extensions. Now... it's no panel saw with all the in and out feeds, but by using one of those slick plastic fold up tables from walmart as an out feed, this set up works really well for even full sheet rips. (you're probably already using that fold up table to dj from)

The thing with helpers is that no matter how helpful they WANT to be, they will either lack the patience to cooperate with the tool doing it's part or you doing yours.

+1 Bruce Weldy's comments