Table Saw

The table saw was invented by Shakers. It is a spinning blade protruding from a table with a guide fence. It can make very accurate, straight, clean cuts in wood up to a couple inches thick. There are many blades that can be used depending on the task at hand. There are cross cut blades, ripping blades, dado blades, plastic blades, and combination blades. The difference is the orientation of the teeth on the blades. Cross cut blades are for cutting wood across the grain, and the teeth alternate with high points on either side of the blade. Ripping blades are for cutting wood with the grain. A dado blade actually consists of several blades. There are two outer blades, a specific left and right one, and the center blades. The center blades can be stacked together within the outer ones to create large cuts in wood. Usually up to 3/4 of an inch in width. This saves time over move the guide fence by the width of the blade and guessing for the right width cut. Combination blades can cut both cross grain and with the grain, and are the most useful when making may types of cuts. Using the right blade makes all the difference. The blades will last longer, and make cleaner cuts.

The latest and greatest of all table saws is the SawStop brand table saw. It is the only saw designed to know when cutting skin, and automatically stops the blade and drops it under the table to prevent any serious injury. This is done by monitoring a small charge on the blade, and when it comes in contact with a conductor, like skin or metal, a large aluminum brake and slammed into the blade under the table faster than an airbag, stopping the blade.

Always use extreme caution when using the table saw. This is a very dangerous tool when it is not respected. Always use a push stick to push out wood from between the saw and the guide fence.