Most of the people have a workshop centered towards a table saw as it one of the important tools which have to be as productive and efficient as possible. This powerful tool can perform a wide range of tasks, like this one tool can rip, cross-cut, miter-cut, square, dado, rabbet, and even apply shapes to edges of wood stock. And to make it perform with a full potential lookout to these simple tips and tricks.
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How to Get the Most out of Your Table Saw
Keep Your Table Saw Rust-Free
A table saw is most often constructed with the cast-iron. The iron leads to stability but is also prone to rust which makes it difficult to use the table saw properly and also makes the saw weak. Fortunately, you can prevent your saw from rusting by following these basic tricks:
- Use lubricants: there are several good lubricants or protectants available in the market and some are specially designed for table saws.
- Apply wax and make it a monthly routine: Apply wax a good quality wax and wipe it down with a solvent like acetone, until your rag comes off of the table clean.
If you don’t have any quality wax or even a protectant then simply dig through your garage and find an old can of car wax. The car wax is used to maintain the finish which can also help in maintaining your saw’s iron surface.
Simply rub it on areas prone to rusting according to the need and then buff it out with a clean cloth. Be sure to remove the wax properly. Apply a second coat like this if necessary.
The monthly waxing routine will keep any stationary tool such as a table saw with metal surface protected.
Use A Specific Blade
You must use the right blade for your table saw tasks. For certain tasks, there come specifically designed and materialistic blades. The two main kinds of crosscut blades with 60-80 teeth and rip blades with around 30 teeth. Otherwise, think about having a general-purpose blade with 40 to 50 teeth that do sufficient work according to the different cuts and materials.
Invest in a dado set
Cutting dadoes are typically used for table saws. With a dado set you can easily have lots of joinery cuts, for example, dadoes (cross-grain channels), rabbets, tongue-and-groove joints, tenons, grooves (with-the-grain channels), box joints and other joints. You can also get a single blade set (a wobble dado blade) for a specific angle on an adjustable arbor. If you are looking for a saw that accepts 13/16th dado stacks, then this list of table saws under $500 is perfect for you.
A stacked dado set features two outside blades with chippers of various thickness stacked between them. You can adjust the thickness of this set’s cutting width. Just add or subtract the chippers also the thin paper, metal shims, and plastic.
- Align the blade
To get smooth, clean, and burn-free cuts, the blade, and the fence should be parallel to the table saw’s miter slots. To check this, measure the distance between the slot and the front of the blade by using a measuring device like the specialized dial-indicator table saw miter gauges. After doing this, measure the distance between the slot and the back of the blade. When you are done with the measurements, check if they are the same or not. They should be the same, if not then loose and adjust the table.
With the checking of the blade which is parallel to the motor slots, also check the table saw fence which should be aligned parallel to the slots. Again use the precision measuring device for measuring the distance between the fence and the slot and do the adjustments accordingly. By making the blade and fence parallel to the slot, the blade and fence also become parallel to each other.
- Level the throat plate
Poorly leveled throat plate on a table saw can surely ruin your cut. To level it, first remove it and clean all the sawdust, chips or debris from its opening. Now check with a straightedge by placing it over the top of the saw to see if the plate is flush. If it’s not, adjust the screws to raise or lower it according to the necessity.
- Maintain plenty of space around your table saw
When placing your table saw, keep in mind to give it plenty of room. You should keep around 4 inches of space on either side of the blade, and 8 inches of space both in front and behind the blade. A little more space will help you work with more efficiency, effectiveness, and safety.
- Set up a simple outfeed support
Trying to rip the last few feet of a longboard can be a tricky business if you don’t have any helper or support. If the workpiece is not secured or supported, it will possibly lift up as you reach at the end of the saw. And this can be an invitation to dangerous kickbacks and injuries.
To get rid of this problem, you can install an outfeed extension. So, your workpiece will get well supported while cutting through the end and will result to clean and safe cuts.
You can also get roller support which can lift off or fold down when not in use to save on space. But if you don’t want to spend any additional bucks on this job, then you can simply make a temporary outfeed extension with the help of clamps and plywood.
Follow Table Saw Safety Tips
While a table saw is a very useful device it’s also very dangerous. Follow these safety measurements to work safely and efficiently with a table saw
- Wear safety equipment
When using the table saw, always wear safety equipment first. A woodworker should always wear safety glasses, ear, appropriate clothing. Avoid losses fitting clothing.
- Always keep the table saw’s top and area around it clean
When you use a table saw, keep the surroundings clean. Just use a shop vacuum to suck away all the debris, chips and sawdust. This will not only maintain your safety but will also provide neat and clean cuts along with the smooth and steady feeding of wood in the table saw.
- Always turn off the power while changing the blade
When you change the blade, first turn off the power and to avoid any accidents like the possibility of inadvertently turning off the table saw.
To sum it up
Most people do their shopping at the lower end of the scale which may lead to limited power and features. If your table saw has the same condition or you simply want more productivity from your saw then these tips will definitely help you in increasing its potential and will help in getting the most out of it. Best of luck!