Class: Building Maintenance Teacher: Mr Roseus Assignment 2

Please read and answer the following questions:

Table

A (also known as a bench saw in England) is a tool consisting of a circular blade, mounted on an arbor, that is driven by an electric motor (either directly, by belt, or by gears). The blade protrudes through the top of a table, which provides support for the material, usually , being cut.

In most modern table , the depth of the cut is varied by moving the blade up and down: the higher the blade protrudes above the table, the deeper the cut that is made in the material. In some early table saws, the blade and arbor were fixed, and the table was moved up and down to expose more or less of the blade. The angle of cut is controlled by adjusting the angle of blade. Some earlier saws angled the table to control the cut angle. The table saw is probably the most widely-used woodworking machine in the woodshop. Statistically, it is also likely the most dangerous, as more debilitating injuries seem to be a result of using the table saw than any other woodworking . Does that mean that the table saw cannot be used safely? Of course not. By taking proper, common-sense precautions, a woodworker can considerably reduce the possibility of injury when using a table saw. Here are twelve safety tips that every woodworker should keep in mind before using a table saw: Wear Safety Equipment When using power tools, wearing the appropriate safety equipment should be considered mandatory. The woodworker should always wear safety glasses and hearing protection, but appropriate clothing should also be considered. Loose fitting clothing, neckties, and jewelry are all hazards to avoid when using a table saw. Keep the Area Clean When using a table saw, keep the table and surround area clear of stock, cutoffs and excess . Any of these can get in the way or impair the woodworker's ability to make safe, clean cuts. A loose piece of stock could become a projectile if it contacts a moving blade. Check Safety Features Before beginning any table saw task, always check the safety features of your table saw to make certain that they're set and functioning properly. The saw blade guard, riving knife, and anti-kickback pawls are designed to protect the woodworker and should be adjusted properly before the power is turned on. Use Outfeed Tables/Stands When Appropriate When cutting large pieces of stock, such as a full sheet of , position an outfeed table or stand to help support the stock. Using these helpers will make the pieces being cut more stable, and the cut easier to complete. Always Disconnect Power Before Changing Blade Before changing the blade or making any other internal adjustments on the table saw, the woodworker should always disconnect the power to the saw. This will eliminate the possibility that the saw could be inadvertently turned on while the table saw is being worked on. Do Not Start the Saw With the Blade Engaged When preparing to start the saw, the woodworker should check to be certain that the blade is spinning freely, and not engaged in the stock. Once the motor is turned on, the blade should be allowed to reach full speed before beginning the cut. Maintain a Good Position When standing at the table saw, the woodworker should maintain a good, solid stance with a wide base to keep a good balance. Additionally, one should not stand directly in front of the blade, so if a kickback should occur, the stock will not kick back into the body but will slide past the operator's midsection. Never Reach Over a Moving Blade The operator should never reach or make any or blade adjustments while the blade is still moving. Instead, wait until the blade comes to a full stop before reaching or making any adjustments. Use Proper Inserts When using a table saw, the proper zero-clearance blade inserts should always be used. When using a stacked blade, a proper insert should also be used. Without a blade insert, a piece of stock could fall into the saw cabinet and become a projectile. Never Free-Hand a Cut When using a table saw, the woodworker should never attempt a free- hand cut. Instead, use the fence or miter to guide the stock. However, keep in mind that the fence and miter gauge should never be used together, as the end grain of a piece of stock can bind against the fence. Check Stock for Foreign Objects Before beginning any cut, the woodworker should visually check the board being cut for any foreign objects such as a screw, nail, staple or even a loose knot in the wood. Any of these can come loose and become a dangerous projectile if it comes in contact with a spinning blade. A specially-designed metal detector is great for checking for hidden fasteners in stock, particularly when working with the recycled material. Use a Push Stick When the board being cut has less than about six inches width of stock away from the blade, a push stick should be used to help push the board through the blade. This will help keep the woodworker's fingers safely away from the blade. Proper push sticks can be built in the shop or purchased at any fine woodworking supplier. Table Saw Parts and Accessories Terminology Most modern table saws come with a standard set of parts and accessories, especially when you look at job site and contractor table saws. For the first part of this article, we will focus on the most common standard table saw parts and accessories that you’ll find during an unboxing. The Saw Blade Entry level and mid-range table saws will almost always come included with a saw blade. The blade is one of the most important parts of the table saw, because it can determine the quality and efficiency of the cuts. Use the wrong type of blade, and you’ll burn your material or end up with rough cuts. Use the right blade, and you should easily be able to cut and rip the materials that are suitable for your particular saw. Quality blades are carbide tipped for durability, and you should also take note of how many teeth are on the blade. Generally, more teeth mean smoother cuts, which is why it is usually recommended to upgrade from the standard 30 tooth blade that is included with most table saws. The Table Surface If you read a table saw review that talks about the quality of the table surface, make sure that you take note. A poor surface can drastically impact the overall quality of the table. A good surface will be made of aluminum, and will feature a non-friction coating. This coating makes it easier to pass materials over the surface, allowing for faster cuts and less fatigue when working on a table. The Rip Fence As one of the most important features on any table saw, the rip fence allows you to measure your pieces of working material, and ensures that they are to the blade. The rip fence is important for both accuracy and safety, so this will be one of the major parts of a table saw that you should consider when choosing a unit to purchase. The most accurate rip fences are third party solutions, but they can be cost prohibitive for the average user, and can sometimes cost as much as a mid-range jobsite table saw. The built-in fences on professional units will usually provide enough accuracy for most contractor and home DIY work, and the best types are those that sit on independent glide rails or rack and pinion systems. Table Saw Motors Modern table saws use sealed motors that are permanently lubricated and can’t be serviced by users. The motor will be one of the most important parts of a table saw that you can consider when you’re looking for your next purchase. 15AMP motors are the standard for entry level and mid-to-upper range saws, and you should be looking for a motor that allows blade spin of around 3850RPM or more. Higher maximum RPM can mean faster cuts with a good blade, but remember that the speed of the blade will also be impacted by the type of material that you are working with. Table Saw Stand A stand is considered one of the optional table saw parts, and functions to allow for working at height in a workshop or on a jobsite. Not every user will require a stand, as some will mount a table saw to an existing , and some contractors will be able to use a saw directly on the floor of a jobsite (permitting it is safe to do so). Whether or not you need a stand, will depend on your particular use case scenario, and how confident you are at working with a saw. Stands can be purchased separately, or can be included with some saw packages, such as the Bosch 4100-09 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw that we have reviewed in detail. Miter Gauge This small measuring tool is one of the most common table saw parts names that you will see when you’re checking reviews or product descriptions of table saws. This handy little gauge is what will allow you to make accurate cross- cuts when using your table saw. The miter gauge is attached to a guide which fits into a on a table saw. The gauge also features a pivoting angle guide, so it is possible to make compound cuts with a table saw when you use a miter gauge. This tool is a standard accessory with most saws, although an upgrade can mean better accuracy of cuts. Blade Guard Every professional table saw assembly will come with a blade guard as one of the included table saw parts. This guard protects you from the spinning blade, without compromising the movement of your material through the blade. Modular blade guard systems are usually formed using clear plastic that aids in visibility. Kickback Pawls Accidents with a table saw can be serious, especially when the right safety equipment is not used. Kickback pawls are included as standard accessories on most table saws from major manufacturers. These small metal devices grip the material to prevent it being ejected from the saw. Only the smallest hobby table saws should come without this essential safety feature. Push Stick A push stick is an essential safety device which makes it easier to push pieces of material that are unsafe to be moved by hand. A push stick can be as a basic as a plastic tool with a curved notch for pushing wood, or there are even third party push sticks that have special grips and friction surfaces for making usage easier. The Big Horn 10230 Woodworkers Power Hands Safety Push Stick is one of the third party options that can be used in place of the basic stick that manufacturers include in their packages. Dust Shroud Not every table saw features a dust shroud, but those that do will allow for much cleaner work spaces and easier clean up. A dust shroud is a plastic device that covers the underside of the table saw blade, directing dust to an outlet port at the back of the table. This outlet can then be connected to a vacuum dust collection system, or a simple passive dust bag. When checking for table saw parts and accessories on a table saw review, the dust collection performance should be one of the sections that you pay close attention to. Table Saw Accessories That You Can Buy to Improve Safety If you’re going to be using a table saw regularly, then you’ll definitely need to brush up on your safety practices. You can check our table saw safety article here, and you should also know that there are some specific accessories that you can buy. If you’re going to be working with materials other than wood, such as certain plastics or composites, then you should wear a high quality general purpose protective mask. This will prevent fine particles from entering your airways and causing irritation, breathing difficulties, or long term health problems. One good example of a quality product is the Honeywell Nuisance Disposable Dust Mask. This is a certified mask that can be purchased in bulk for a highly affordable price. Another thing you should always remember is to protect your eyes. Regardless of the table saw parts like dust shrouds and blade guards, there is still the potential for dust and debris to be ejected towards your face and eyes. A good pair of safety glasses or googles are recommended any time that you are sawing, either at home or in a professional environment. DeWALT, a leading power tools manufacturer, produces excellent affordable safety goggles that can prevent woodchips and dust from entering your eyes. The DEWALT Concealer Clear Anti-Fog Dual Mold Safety Goggle is a highly recommended accessory. With Knowledge, You Can Make the Right Purchasing Decision Knowing all about the different table saw parts and accessories will not only allow you to better understand table saw reviews, but they’ll allow you to make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing your new table saw.

Part of knowing how to prevent kickback is by understanding why it happens. As wood is set against the fence and pushed across the table saw into the blade, it can begin to lose pressure against the fence. As it drifts away from the fence, the wood gets caught on the backside of the saw and is quickly jerked in the direction the blade is turning (towards you). Use a Riving Knife A riving knife is a thin piece of metal shaped like a surfboard fin, and comes with your table saw. It locks into place behind the saw with the curvature facing the saw. The riving knife is there to prevent the wood from getting caught in the back of the saw if it drifts away from the fence. Use a Splitter A low profile alternative to the riving knife is a splitter that is added to a zero-clearance throat plate. The splitter is just a nub that sticks up and serves the same purpose of riving knife by keeping the wood from drifting into the blade. Consider a Crosscut Sled Another way to prevent kickback is by using a crosscut sled. These jigs keep your hands away from the blade and move the fence to the front of the blade instead of the side. Always Use a Push Sitck. Using a push stick instead of your hands to push the wood through the blade is also an important safety measure that many woodworkers get lazy about doing. You can buy a push stick or make your own, it doesn't matter as long as you use one. We found the video below from Woodcraft Magazine very helpful in explaining the concept of kickback as well as some of these solutions. Don't Let Your Guard Down It's important to always use the safety equipment that comes with your table saw which can include a riving knife and blade guard. If your saw doesn't have a riving knife, install one before using it. Respect your table saw and it's power, because if you don't, it can give you a unpleasant very unpleasant reminder how fast that blade it moving in the form of nasty bit of kickback.

Questions

1.When you are cutting wood with a table saw, should the good side be facing up or down?

2.Name the two devices that are used to guide stock when cutting with a table saw.

3.Name the steps on how to prevent kickback

4.When you are cutting on a table saw, what should you use to guide the stock?

5.What are the most important features on any table saw?

6.What is the purpose of a blade guard?

7.Why is it important to use a push stick?

8. What PPE you should wear when using a table saw?