How to Master Your Table Saw
- 1). Align the fence. Lock the fence down approximately 1 inch on the right side of the blade. Measure from the back of the fence to the left edge of the miter gauge dado. Now measure from the top of the fence to the miter gauge dado. The measurements should be the same. If they are not, adjust the fence alignment by turning the 1/2 inch adjuster screws located to the left and right on the lock down handle, bringing the fence into square with the dado gauge groove.
- 2). Check the angle of the blade by cranking it all the way up. Slide a tri-square over to the blade. If there is a gap between the blade and the top or bottom of the tri-square, loosen the wing nut on the tilt mechanism on the front of the saw. Turn the handle slightly, bringing the blade flat against the tri-square. Re-tighten the wing nut.
- 3). Check the blade. If the blade looks burnt, has chips, cracks or is obviously dull, take it off and put on a new one. A bad blade causes kickback and burns the lumber.
- 4). Polish the tabletop by running a block of paraffin wax across the surface several times, leaving the paraffin residue on the saw. Polish to a slick surface with a soft cloth. This makes lumber slide through the saw more easily.
- 5). Check each piece of lumber before attempting to run it through the saw. If it is warped or has a bow in it, do not run it through the saw. Warped lumber causes kickback. If there are cracks, knots or objects embedded in the lumber, position the board so that the blade does not pass through these defects.
- 6). Listen to your saw for any chatter when you are running lumber through the saw, and pay attention to the feel of the lumber as it passes through the blade. If you hear chatter or the lumber bucks or bounces in your hand, slow down. Never let go of a piece of lumber while you are cutting it.
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