5 Tips for Using a Table Saw Like a Pro

A table saw is a universal instrument that is simple to operate and can help you conserve time and energy. For example, you can use a table saw to cut boards and create rips or crosscuts. If you apply the appropriate approach, have effective safety items, and establish your table saw correctly, you can obtain accurate and exact rips and crosscuts. 

If you’re having difficulty getting the most out of your table saw, try these 5 tips.

1.  Apply Featherboards for an Auxiliary set of hands

Since keeping a board leveled with the fence may be difficult, try utilizing a featherboard for seamless and precise cuts. Featherboards are equipped with wooden fingers that grip the saw fence firmly. The fingers usually appear flexible and angled; hence, you can force the wood through while applying solid and uniform pressure. If the wood starts rolling back, the fingers dig in and clamp it firmly.

Featherboards are an excellent auxiliary hand, especially when creating flawless rips. If you want one, firmly press the featherboard against the piece of wood 1 to 3 inches before the saw blade, then clip it to the table saw. You should find it simple to push the wood forward; however, backward pull should be challenging. Remember to incorporate a second clip for added pressure when cutting huge boards.

2.  Ensure You Have Enough Support

When using a table saw, be sure the material you’re cutting has adequate support. All power tools require a sturdy work surface for maximum efficiency, which in this case must be able to provide a safe and straight cut. The rip fence on table saws can be extended to support larger chunks of material to be cut. However, check how broad the rip fence will stretch to determine the largest cuts you can create while still maintaining sufficient support against the rip fence when ripping items.

When cutting plywood, take note that you’ll need solid support around the enormous pieces of material. You can use a roller stand, which you can find at our Ellicott City and Columbia tool stores. But if you lack one, you can make a temporary outfeed support out of clamps, two 2x4s, plywood, or even make a table saw workbench to handle heavy pieces.

3.  Screw a Wood Fence to the Miter Gauge for Smoother Crosscuts

Most miter gauges lack adequate support, especially when working on angled crosscuts. Add a fence to your miter gauge for improved support and smoother crosscuts. You can use a straight 1×4 while keeping it high enough that the blade doesn’t cut it off. Consider using a removable stop block or altering the angle if you want to make several cuts. Don’t forget to assess the accuracy of the miter gauge with a square before making any cuts.

Binding and kickback are likely to occur, especially when cutting. You can address this problem by simply moving the workpieces and the fence entirely beyond the blade. Then, before drawing the fence back and retrieving newly cut parts, switch the saw off.

4.  Make sure the blade guard is correctly installed

Another way to get the most out of a table saw is to consider your safety. Blade guards are vital in this situation. It prevents your fingers from coming into contact with the blade. As a result, when using a table, make sure it has a blade guard; if it doesn’t, you’ll have to buy one. Many modern blade guards may be reattached to your blade by placing them on top of it and clamping screws or plastic clamps.

5.  When Making Cuts, Position Your Eyes on the Board, not the Cut

When using equipment, it’s normal to want to inspect the cut to ensure that it’s straight. However, when ripping a board with a table saw, take your focus on the board’s position against the rip fence. The only way to confirm that your rip fence is level with the blade is to use a tape measure.

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