Table Saw

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Our current table saw is a Sawstop professional series 1.75 HP 10" cabinet saw. Model (PCS175)

What it's used for[edit]

The table saw is often the best tool for making plane cuts. It can make very precise cuts thanks to its machined surface and fence. It's also fast.

Safety[edit]

A woodshop safety class is available. Check Meetup for the next date.

Though there is a mechanism in the saw that detects skin contact and retracts the blade, the table saw can still seriously hurt you and others in the shop.

  • Make sure you keep your fingers behind the blade and at a safe distance at all times.
  • Use the available push sticks whenever needed. If none are to be found build one.
  • Don't cut anything too small
  • Understand how kickback works before attempting to use the table saw.
  • Stand slightly to the side of the blade whenever possible to avoid getting hit by debris and kickback.
  • Wear safety glasses and hearing protection. Both are available.
  • Don't use excessive force.
  • Never wear loose clothing that might get caught in the blades or other moving parts when using power tools.
  • Clean the area around the saw before use to make sure you will not slip on sawdust
  • The most common cut on a table saw is a rip cut (cutting the board the long way). Cross cuts are also possible. Learn about using a miter gauge, or the cross cut sled before doing this. Do NOT try to cross cut freehand.

How to use it[edit]

Only trained users should use this tool. This section serves as a checklist and not as a replacement for training.

  1. Plan your cut. Set up the fence or sled, and make sure you know how to make the cut safely.
  2. Raise the blade, using the handwheel facing you. (The handwheel on the side is for tilting the blade at an angle.) For most cuts the top of the blade should be just sticking out, no more than ⅛ to ½ inch above the workpiece.
  3. Make sure the red stop paddle is pressed in and the main switch is off.
  4. Plug in the saw.
  5. Turn on the main switch. Wait (approximately 10 seconds) until the green (left) LED lights solid and the right (red) LED stops blinking. (Page 45 of the manual lists all of the status codes, if something has gone wrong.)
  6. BEFORE STARTING THE SAW Turn on the dust collector. You can do that by either using the remote or by pressing the green button on the dust collector itself. It MUST be on at all times when the saw is running.
  7. Pull the stop paddle out to start the saw.
  8. Make your cut.
  9. After completing your cuts, press the stop paddle to turn off the saw and wait for the blade to come to a stop. Lower the blade below the table using the handwheel.
  10. Clean up after yourself.

Materials you should not cut with this tool[edit]

Photo of one spent cartridge and the blade it stopped. The blade is irreparably damaged and the cartridge has been consumed; neither can ever be used again.

This is NOT a normal table saw. If your skin or any conductive material touches the blade, the sawblade assembly will instantly drop below the table and a metal block will stop the blade. This will save your fingers, but it will destroy the blade and actuation mechanism, which will then need to be replaced. The cost of replacement is around $150

What this means:

  • Do not cut wet materials
  • Do not cut metal
  • Do not cut wood that might have metal (screws or nails) in it

If you must cut wet materials or metal[edit]

ask around the space to see who has the knowledge to disable the mechanism for a few cuts.

You cannot cut wet materials or metal on the table saw. The key for disabling the mechanism is missing, and the woodshop guild is generally uninterested in allowing individuals to disable the safety feature.

External links[edit]