The Wood Shop has two SawStop 10" Cabinet Saws (table saws) which can be used for ripping[1] or making crosscuts[2] in a range of solid and wood-based composite materials. One saw is set up with a dado[3] set at all times. Make sure you are using the table saw with a combination blade, and not the table saw with the dado set, when ripping or crosscutting your stock.[4] All stock must have at least one flat edge and one flat face to use the table saw. Reclaimed wood, green wood, and raw lumber will need to be milled[5] on the jointer or planer before use on the table saw.
A membership or day pass is required to access the Wood Shop. The following Shop Safety Class is required to access the Table Saws:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times.
Long hair, jewelry, and loose clothing must be tied back.
Safety glasses and earmuffs must be worn while machines are running.
A dust mask or a NIOSH certified respirator is recommended.
For more information on shop safety visit Wood Shop under "Safety."
Keep at least one hand on the material at ALL times.
Never reach around or over the blade.
You are now ready to perform a rip or crosscut!
If you have NOT checked your stock for nails and moisture do so NOW!
The blast gate should remain open at all times. The blast gate is located behind the central pillar between the two table saws.
Turn on the dust collector.
Check the work area and plan your cut. Make sure no one is behind you, and have a push stick handy if needed.
Release the fence by pushing up on the handle.
When using a jig or sled you can now move the fence out of the way to install your jig or sled.
Never perform any operation freehand. Always use the fence, miter gauge, sled, or a jig.
Do not begin a cut without your fence locked and secure.
The blade should be roughly a tooth above the workpiece.
When powering on wait for the status light to finish blinking before operating the table saw.
If you're working with freshly milled lumber position your workpiece with the milled flat side facing down and milled edge facing fence.
Allow the blade to come to full speed before feeding your workpiece through.
Improper hand placement can cause kickback[12] if the stock is not properly supported.
With longer boards, lift from the back to create a downward pressure towards the front that is feeding into the saw, otherwise the board will lift on the blade.
Keep a hand or pushstick on the material at ALL times. Do not back out of a cut.
You have successfully performed a cut on the table saw!
When milling:
On the table saw:
Rip cut: A type of cut along the grain (in the same direction) of a piece of solid wood. ↩︎
Crosscut: A type of cut across the grain of a piece of wood. Often used to break down sheet material. ↩︎
Dado: A shallow channel cut part-way into the thickness of a piece for joinery. Also refers to the stacked blade set used on the table saw to make this type of cut. ↩︎
Stock/workpiece/material: Terms used interchangeably to describe a piece of wood or composite that you are working with. ↩︎
Milling: The process of jointing, planing, and sawing rough lumber into flat, square, usable material. ↩︎
Fence: A guard or wall on various machines used to support the workpiece and guide it through a cut. Often adjustable for different cutting operations. ↩︎
Miter gauge: A type of fence used for making angled cuts on various machines. ↩︎
Sled: A type of jig for certain tools designed to support a piece for a particular cutting operation. There are sleds available for the table saw and planer. ↩︎
Jig: A specialized accessory for certain tools designed to support a piece for a particular
cutting operation. There are jigs available for the table saw, drill press. ↩︎
Push stick: An accessory used with several machines to help guide material through a cut, while protecting the operator's hands and keeping them a safe distance from the blade. ↩︎
Blast gate: A valve used to focus the dust collection system's vacuum pressure, by closing off the ductwork except to the machine in use. ↩︎
Kickback: An occurrence when stock is unexpectedly propelled back towards the operator at high speed. It can cause serious, even fatal injury, or it can pull the operator’s hand into the tool. It is important to understand and minimize the causes of kickback. Visit table saw under "Binding and Kickback" for more information. ↩︎