Get Perfect Cuts Every Time - My Favorite Table Saw Tip

In this woodworking tip and trick video I show you how I get perfect cuts on the table saw every time. This technique applies to routers, bandsaws, miter saws, skill saws and every tool in your shop with a cutting implement. Let me know what you like to see us build next. Thanks for watching! Please like, comment and subscribe. Cheers!
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[anotherdaytoshine]

You do a top-drawer job with respect to the info, your production value, keeping extraneous chatter to a minimum, just great all around. You remind us CDO types (OCD alphabetized for those who don’t already know) that no detail is too small. Thanks from a not-so-new woodworker who tries to always get better. Keep it up!

[christofix]

Great tip. I have seen a lot of people who work with a marking knife, thats something i'm going to look for too. Thanks for this tip!

[dakine]

Thanks for the great tip! Now I know why I have two marking knives! I've been using carpenter pencils and mechanical pencils this whole time. This should make my joinery a lot more accurate.

[jeffforbes]

You're always teaching and I'm always learning! Thanks,

[nathansilver]

Hey man,
I love your videos. I always get something from your videos, and love continuing to learn...even though I have been woodworking for all these years. Thanks again, great job.

[MrBratius]

I love this kind of video as a good reminder... Shop 101

[Bighedass_]

Man I can’t tell you how much this helped me. I am pretty new and had a lot of frustration . thanks

[FredMcIntyre]

Thanks for the saw tip about the saw tip! 😉😁👍🏻👊🏻

[aaronfenwick]

Great advice as always. Keep it up, I love this series

[SmallWorkshopGuy]

Love it when just as you say “stay safe in the shop” your bandaged finger goes across the screen!

[BlessedLaymanNC]

Thanks for the tips. I am putting a marking knife on my wish list as a high-priority purchase.


Over the past few months, I've developed habits that get me very accurate cuts without a knife, so I have not seen the need for one in my shop. I've seen YouTube woodsmiths using them, but they never registered as a tool I thought I needed.


Early this year, I looked for a new tablesaw with the number 1 criteria being that the fence could be accurate every cut. My miter saw, cheap as it is, has a laser guide. I took a lot of time calibrating each of these tools so they would be where I read the marks so I can get consistent, repeatable, and accurate cuts.

When measuring to cut or place a stop on the miter saw, I stretch my ruler from the end of the board until the left edge of the laser lines up on the tape measure mark. (I always keep the cut to the left of the blade.)
Using the tablesaw measuring guide, I line it up exactly the same way, but I always keep the piece to the right of the blade (between the blade and fence.)
I also work in some of my friends' shops. Only one has an accurate table saw and neither has a calibrated miter saw.

When I use saws at these other shops, I measure the table saw with my tape measure pressed against the fence and set the cut to the closest inside tooth. It's just like you did with your mark.

Similarly, I measure from the end of the board to the most inside tooth of the miter saw. (I learned to be careful about pulling the blade down after poking a hole in my tape, LOL)
When marking a board to cut, I usually mark with a pen and I look and take mental note of the (gap) between the mark and the guide I used. To be accurate, I try to cut and leave the line. If I'm successful, (depending on whose saw, the blade may wobble ever so slightly) I take the board and fit it. Then, if needed, I press the board up against the blade, then turn it on and make a very narrow cut using just the side of the teeth. After one to three times, I usually have a very accurate cut.


Because I know my saws, I can make an accurate cut using a pen to mark. But, after your short tutorial, I can see how much more accurate I can be with marked cuts on the first cut using your knife.

I am definitely getting one soon.



Thank you, again,

[BreakneckWalrus]

Just got into woodworking, and I spent so long trying to find a video that actually explained 1. How to use actually, correctly use a tape measure in conjunction with a marking knife as you do around 0:50, and 2. Where to actually align the wood with the saw blade. Excellent and succinct video. Cheers.

[walterrider]

thank you Katz its kind of you to pass on your info . i worked in all kinds of shops ( machinists and other types ) not all ppl would share info . i am new ( old and retired ) to wood working you can tell as i leave a puddle if i stand any place for a long time ( wet behind the ears )

[harrydavis]

Great tip and so very important. Thanks Jonathan.

[johnlcallaway]

Thanks. I do mostly framing type where a sharp pencil is just fine as long as one remembers which side of the pencil line the square was on. When I'm cutting a 14' beam, that kind of accuracy isn't really needed.


But .. I never realized until this video that the teeth in any of my saws might not be in the same plane when cutting. I knew it, just never thought about it when lining things up. Thanks for providing some extra context for that bit of knowledge.


I do use a marking knife that I use when doing finer joinery. One reason is that it cuts the fibers and creates a 'valley' that is easy to move squares around an edge and it's a lot easier to get a hand saw or chisel started in the right place. I think both pencil and marking knife have their pace in a shop, as long as one realizes when to use them.

[puzzlering]

Thank you very much, fantastic tips will try them today.
Cheers
Sam👏👍

[ecaff]

Excellent video and process
Thank you for sharing

[chriscalon]

When I started watching I figured I knew how to do accurate cuts. Then by the end of the video I thought "damn, I'm an idiot. I didn't know how to do accurate cuts." So thanks man, I hope I can stop feeling like an idiot and make accurate cuts now.

[fergalflynn]

Great tip Jon! Keep up the good work. 👌🏻

[heyimamaker]

Your lighting is on point! Also, your videos are 🤟