WATCH THIS Before Using Your Table Saw - Workshop Safety

Following workshop safety rules is a must, without it, we risk all sorts of injuries to ourselves and others in the workshop. By now, good eye and ear protection are standard in the workshop at all times. One of the leading tools for accidents is the table saw and there are many very good rules to follow when the table saw with the 2 primary rules of 1) setting blade depth to just a half tooth above the material being cut and 2) using a proper, safe push stick which precludes anything with a long handle often called "chicken's foot push sticks". 3) Using a blade guard and table saw featherboard to prevent kickback!

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#TableSaw #TableSawSafety #WorkshopSafety

[mefirst]

I AM GLAD I STOPED BY. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT NOT KNOWING HOW THE BLADE SHOULD BE SET AND ABOUT THE KICK BACK. THANKS A MILLION !!! HAPPY SAWING !!!!

[GeorgeCooper_LoneWolf]

Great info 👍 I have been using a Tablesaw for many years BUT I still do what I call the 15 second think count. Every time I'm about to make a cut I take just 15 seconds to stop and think ( What could go wrong here )

[raymitchell]

Hi Colin, I switched over to using the "gripper" push blocks, they provide 3 directions of pressure, control the cut piece and the off cut so you have to remove the blade guard to use them... I take my time setting up the cut and I feel completely safe using them, I appreciate your advice and understand why you said it. I still consider myself a newbie even after 5 years of making projects because I'm a weekend woodworker. But one rule I stand by is that if I feel tired or frustrated at something... I stop work! Accidents can happen, yes, but mistakes are also possible and wasteful in time and materials. Thanks for the refresher in shop safety... I too know it can happen to me... I learn to respect my tools, but not fear them.

[MrUSNMasterChief]

Colin, you hit the mark again. I have been a woodworker for 45 years and you are so correct, Complacency will kill you. Thanks again for the reminder...

[PerrynBecky]

When I saw your bandaged head and arm in a sling on the tab, I thought you got hurt yourself from your table saw. I'm very relieved to see that you didn't get hurt and this is an instructional video on table saw safety based on a fellow YouTuber, but sad that he/she got hurt, but thankful they were able to share their experience, meaning it could have been much worse. Praying for their speedy and full recovery.

[johnmusgrave]

I have a dymo label on my rip fence level with the blade position stating in large letters "The blade ALWAYS wins". It never fails to make me think through the cut one more time before I actually cut anything.

[googleuser]

Great tips. Made thousands of cuts but knew I had to watch your video. I'm going to start raising my blade just a half tooth starting today. Fully agree with your choice in push sticks. Thanks for posting.

[johnrobinson]

Good advice Colin; I too have been woodworking for over 50 years and never had an accident until earlier this year when I cut my thumb badly on the table saw but luckily I didn't lose any part of my thumb but spent a couple of days in hospital and had surgery to fix the cut. You are right, we do become complacent and I think this is what happened to me. I was leader in a local men shed for 7 years and I always emphasised the danger of the table saw being probably the most dangerous tool in the shed and my advice to my members was, before making a cut on the table saw; stop and rehearse the cut in your mind before actually making the cut and if you think the method you are going to use to make the cut is a bit risky, then don't make the cut that way and consider a safer way to do it and if still in doubt, don't make the cut. In 7 years in the shed, we never had a bad accident on the table saw or any other machine, but we did have some near misses. My injury was in my own shed at home and I was in a hurry to make the cut and a cut I had done thousands of times; As you said Colin, "the machine always wins" I urge every woodworker to be extra careful at all times and stay focused and stay safe.

[Thom]

My grandfather told me at a young age “the minute you think you control the machine is the second you get hurt “ and when I have a injury and sure enough when you play it back at least for me it was being complicated or cocky is when I get injured.
Also never do the “just one more cut” when your tired.
Awesome video and a great reminder for all of us. Take Care

[jonirn]

As an ER Nurse, I have seen injuries a table saw can cause, so I have been holding back on getting one, out of fear, which has limited me in what I can make. Your videos are always so clear and easily comprehensible. You are my go-to guy for answers. Still not ready to purchase one yet, may check into taking a class, where I can actually use one with guidance for the first time. Thanks for the great videos!

[michaelgartner]

Thank you from a 30 year safety professional. I’ve never had anyone tell me they sorry they worked safely. I’ve lost count of those that told me they wished they had.

[Rubin]

Colin, 72 years old, used every saw there is and still gained greatly with this video. Thank you and safe, long wood working to you. //John in Oregon

[robertmadden]

Too right Colin, familiarity breeds contempt. Using a chainsaw in my day to day job is a weekly occurrence. You soon learn that the saw understands when you are off your game and sets out to wake you up. Only following safe practices have saved me a time or so.
Never can be reminded of safety too often. Thank you for this video mate.

[briantippets]

Appreciate these kinds of videos and your teaching style.

I’m brand new. I’ve used numerous hand tools and smaller power tools but recently purchased a table saw. Really have no experience with one at all. Been watching tons of videos, reading as much as I can, but nothing really prepares you for turning on your own saw and making your own cuts.

Truth be told, I’m presently quite scared of it. I feel like I know the basics and can start but it’s weirdly difficult to get over the initial fear of it. Maybe it’s just me. Most people probably grow up around table saws or have learned from someone in person, but I didn’t have that.

Anyway, all this to say I appreciate you looking out for us beginners and really appreciate being able to learn from someone not only experienced, but friendly and approachable.

[jumpingjacks]

Great tutorial. Reviewing table saw safety is something everyone should do from time to time. It's easy to get complacent. That when accidents happen.

[markmcmullen]

Colin, you have a luxury that I don’t...space. I work in my basement with limited space.
First thing I check in my shop is making sure the floor is clear & clean for my feet. Then is the in-feed & out-feed areas are clear to start & complete the cut. It is so dangerous to get half way through a cut & run into a wall or set of shelves...worrying the whole time reaching for the switch & praying until the blade runs down (I have done this only once).
I always do 2 dry runs of the cut before raising & turning on the blade.
Keep up the great content!

[sapelesteve]

Great advice Colin! I always take a minute or two to think through my set up before making a cut on the table saw. One thing that you forgot to mention is to always check that the fence is in the locked position before making a cut. Also, never ever operate machinery when you are tired or not feeling well! As we all know, bad things can happen in a millisecond when using any piece of machinery!

[bigdaddyfish]

As president of our local woodworking club we have had our second member lose part of a finger on table saw in the last 3 years. In each case the operator was tired and making their last cut of the day. Complacency took effect and changed their life for ever! That is a good video on saw safety but it applies to all power tools in the shop.

[atoieno]

Sage advice Colin...thanks. The fatigue factor is also important. Skiers at the end of a long day's skiing are prone to the "last run risk". That's when even the most experienced fall victim to accidents. So If you are tired that last cut will wait 'till tomorrow.

[davidpalmer]

Thanks for the video. I hope you guys realize that since the public school systems took woodshop you are the replacement whether you like it or not. I've been woodworking since the 70s and you guys remind me of so many things I have forgotten and new things that have come along since I got out of high school back in the stone age (1975).