WATCH THIS Before Using Your Table Saw - Workshop Safety
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- 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
Read Full Article on Table Saw Workshop Safety Here - bit.ly/3GhbXKW
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As a newer wood worker but seasoned trauma nurse, I’d like to add to Colin’s sage advice. The best safety device is a clear, focused, well rested mind. If you are tired, angry, sad, frustrated, or if anything is heavy on your mind don’t use power tools. Of course drugs, alcohol, and machines/tools never go well together. And for other female wood workers, we need to remember to put our hair up, I had a scary near miss so now I always put mine up in a tight bun.
As an ER nurse myself, I feel the same way. But I'm still trying to get over my fear of the table saw, so I can spread my wings in my shop. Lol.
And mind anything loose - Hoodie drawstrings, watch bands, belts, etc.
Not just the ladies, us long haired guys need to be cautious with our hair as well.😊
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...
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 )
That is a fantastic idea. I had an accident on my saw. Thankfully it was a sawstop so the blade retracted but man I didn't even see it coming. Been using a saw since age 15 and I was taking it for granted. Bad idea on my part.
George, I do something similar, I repeat the same phrase; "life altering injuries". This helps me stop and think. I heard a phrase, that you're not ever going to get back whatever part of your body touches this moving saw blade.
@@darcysee9471 I don't own a tablesaw but I feel similarly about my circular saw.
I do the same.
@@JackKirbyFan, always great to hear another Saw Stop story with a good outcome! Thanks for testimony. As more demand is created, the tool manufacturers will step up and compete to make better and more affordable designs. Felder already seems to have a super mechanism, but for professional level machinery.
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 CZcamsr, 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.
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 !!!!
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.
Well observed!
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.
That's how it should be done, every cut thought over and cut in the mind, before the actual physical cut.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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!
Any tool that spins at a high rate of speed can cause serious injury. I’ve always shown a high level of respect for the table saw. However, a palm router got me. It left me with two of my fingers pretty mangled up. It kicked back at me and I wasn’t even trying to catch it. It was just bad luck that left me with 23 stitches on my index and middle finger.
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.
the number of times i have been second-hand scared when watching the samurai carpenter rip on his table saw with no riving knife and he reaches over the blade to grab the cutoff...DUDE...your hands make wonderful pieces of art. DON'T BE SO CARELESS WITH THEM
Having lost half a thumb last December doing EXACTLY what you described, reaching over, I can honestly say, you are 1000% correct….stupid mistake..I hope folks are paying attention!
@@johnmclaurin, thanks for the testimony, every little bit will help another person. All the best wishes that you recover all your function!
Complacency, Rushing, Fatigue and Distractions.
Thanks Colin, the thumbnail had me worried for a second. 😆
Good stuff Sir. 33 years in EMS. Folks: Take a first aid or Stop the Bleed course. For big trauma I keep a "Stop the Bleed Kit" for near my saw. For small trauma; nick's, splinters, etc I have regular first aid kit.
At the very least pick up a commercially available tourniquet; Recon medical or NAR CAT Tourniquets and put near your first aid kit.
I also have an extinguisher on each end of the shop.
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.
Clearly you severely mitigated your risk. Things happen
Did your hand get pulled toward the saw or just instinctively reached for something that was too close?
@@vashon100 I guess I lost concertration; I pushed a piece of timber through the saw with a push stick and I finished the action I drew my hand back to clear the sawblade but I made the mistake of twisting my hand to the left as I withdrew the push stick bringing my right thumb into contact with the spinning saw blade. It was done with the blade guard off the table as like a lot of other woodworkers I don't use the blade guard. I can honestly say that if I had the blade guard on, my thumb would not have come into contact with the blade. Unfortunately the cut I was making couldn't be done with the blade guard on as I was re-sawing a piece of timber that was too wide for the saw so I had to cut half way through and then flip the timber to cut through from the other edge. I now have no feeling in my right thumb.
@@johnrobinson1020 Thanks for the reply. Glad it wasn't worse.
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).
Same story here.
After receiving my cabinet table saw, the first thing did was to buy two Micro Jig GRR-RIPPER push blocks. At the time it cost me around $150. Some say that's too expensive for push blocks. But for me it's well worth it knowing my fingers will never come in contact with the blade.
They're the equivalent of about $100 each here, but I eventually decided to just spend the money.
I’ve been doing this for so long and still I get butterflies using the tablesaw. I respect it and glad that I haven’t become comfortable with it. Two very important tips you didn’t mention should be addressed for even advanced woodworkers. One; never stand behind it and stay to the left of Wood you are cutting. Second; use a piece of wood against the fence instead of the fence along with the mitre fence so wood doesn’t bind. And of course, sleds do an amazing job and everyone should invest in getting one for their table.
It is not exactly clear to me " Second; use a piece of wood against the fence instead of the fence along with the mitre fence so wood doesn’t bind"? Can you please explain in more details?
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!
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.
My tip is: lowes and home depot will rip and cross cut for you on wood sheets. They are accurate and save me from wrestling those big sheets at home.
Maybe so, but a lot of us are “professionals” and don’t buy wood from either of those places. Even if I did, I wouldn’t trust them to be accurate to the degree I build.
Maybe if you’re going for a rough cut that you can then re-cut on your table saw at home, but most home centers around my area will 1.) refuse to cut anything for you and 2. If they do cut your sheet goods for you don’t expect anything resembling accuracy or a clean cut.
Those panel saws were installed when the store was built and probably hasn’t had a blade change either. The employees working there are either 75 and don’t care anymore or 19 and don’t care or don’t know how to operate the machine.
Best advice would be to just use a circ saw or even a jigsaw to break your sheet goods down to a smaller size, much like Colin suggests here. It’s just too squirrelly on a smaller saw which a lot of hobbyists have.
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
I myself am guilty of removing the riving knife after having my table saw for five years. Same day I removed the riving knife, on my 3rd cut, I got a piece of wood shot to my gut. Lucky it didn’t break skin because of all the clothes I had on plus an apron but I had a black and blue on my stomach for almost a week and a half. The riving knife is back on and will never get removed. The picture of you all covered in bandages, is hilarious!!!!! Great video!!!
I've had the wood to the gut shot. Not fun but I was also lucky, damaged but not injured.
I always ended up taking it off and leaving it off for all further operations. I can't remember why I had to, only that it was necessary to do so for certain cuts and it was just a hassle to mess with. Other than the occasional ratty rip, I never had any issues with kickback to speak of, but a lot of that comes down to following simple rip fence rules, getting a good feel for torque and mass factors, and the fact that I prefer a mitered sled to a fence for a lot of stuff.
Always appreciate the reminders. Thank you.
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.
Great reminder. Thanks for the lesson.
Solid advice as always.
I've watched few of the safety video on the table saw and the repetition is an excellent reminder that it's not a toy but a tool that can hurt if not used properly each and every time.
Thank you Colin for the reminder. All very good points. Complacency is a big problem with us older “experienced” wood workers.
Good info Colin. I always make time to watch videos like this when they show up. Practicing safety means practice!
Excellent video, Thanks for the info Colin.
Great tips Colin! Complacency is a common reason why we injure ourselves. I spend a lot of time thinking about the cut and if I can't do it safely on the table saw, then I find another way to do it. There can never be enough reminders about safety.
Thank you so much! I’m new to wordworking and am so grateful I came across your page!
I would add “Unplug and/or remove batteries when handling blades on power equipment.”. I assume Colin has his table saw unplugged during this demonstration, but I think it’s a good reminder!
Excellent safety recomendations....thank you
Excellent advice, Colin.
About safety, we cannot be reminded too often.
Always good to have a refresher. Thanks!
Always great information. Thanks again.
Thanks Colin, excellent safety tips for the table saw, keep up the good work.
Colin thank you very much for being proactive in safety, idea of this kind of videos is extremely important for everyone working in the shops...
Also couldn't help myself and have to mention that your bench grinder behind your back missing proper guard , which is no/no in any case scenarios. Be safe and keep posting more of your thoughtful videos.
Thanks so much Colin for reminding me...take a breath before the cut..imagine the cut from start to finish... this has saved me doing something unsafe on many occasions...
Always great advice, Thankyou
Thanks, Colin. Always good to be reminded of basic safety. It's easy to get in a hurry and ignore the rules. I had my first serious encounter with kickback recently because I got in a hurry. Never again! The riving knife shalt be used!
I was taught that, before making your cut, to count your fingers!
This just serves to heighten your safety awareness.
So glad to see you cover saftey. Thank you!!
Thank you very much Colin. It is good to talk about safety.
Thank you very much for your concern and information
Sound information Collin! Thanks
Very good video! It's always good to revisit safety! Thanks Colin!
I love your videos. Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts.
Thanks for reminding us about these critical basics for staying safe with the table saw! A year ago I managed to get my thumb too close the blade and cut the tip off. It has healed well a year later and acts as great reminder!
As for the blade height, I've heard lots of people say to cut with 1/2 the blade poking through, but in my opinion Stumpy explains blade height best in his "ENOUGH BS! Here's how high your table saw blade should be" video. In it he explains that the blade manufacturers suggest that you raise the blade to the bottom of the gullet, but also explains the advantages of sometimes raising or lowering the blade a little.
No. Colin is right. The blade shouldn’t be much higher than the work piece. 5-15mm should be enough.
Stumpy Nubs injured himself twice. Don’t listen to him. Listen to the German cabinet maker safety board, who say exactly this.
@@RicardoCristofRemmertFontes when did he injured himself?
Thank you for making this video!!
Spot on regarding push stick and blade height. Plywood sheets are no problem as long as the table is large enough. Also, NEVER stand in a direct line with the blade.
Thank you. Always looking for safety videos like this. I like having all my digits.
Great information ➜ Thank you!
Great advice, thank you.
Great stuff Colin. Great tips for anyone, including us folks with more experience in the shop. VERY easy to get complacent. If I might add a couple items 1.) Don't use a TS if there are bunch of people around shooting the breeze. Those distraction can be bad news. 2.) make sure your fence is secure AND properly set parallel to the blade 3.) Avoid the temptation to rip short boards, as you have greater control with longer stock, which can be cut to final length AFTER. 4.) Use a clean AND sharp blade (suited for the task) to reduce the likelihood of binding. These are things I have seen carpenters do regularly on job sites, sometimes resulting in a trip to the ER.
Keep the vids coming!
I will not start a machine in my shop if someone is talking to me. Any distraction can be catastrophic
Thanks Colin. Great video and advice. These videos are really important!
I've watched many vids about table saw safety but this is the first one that explains in detail the causes of kickback. I don't have a table saw and don't plan to get one because I have alternative and safer methods of getting the same job done. But I was tempted at one point and hence my interest in table saw safety.
Great advice. Thanks.
Channels like yours got me over my fear of tablesaws and I have been safely using one for for almost two years. I may not be quick, but I follow a safety checklist before each cut.
Thanks for the safety tips !!!!!!!!!!!
Great advice Colin. I have an old table saw, actually a contractor saw, with no blade guard or riving knife, and always respect the blade. I use a push stick similar to yours but mine is made from a pieceof 2x6 about 10 inches long. I also regularly check the alignment of the blade and the fence to ensure they remain perfectly parallel.
I have changed over to a SawStop Unit,always use all the safety supplied by the Co.including the proper "push Unit similar to the plywood one you showed only made of a plastic composite!
Hello Colin. Very wise words and a great demo. "Complacency" was well described and I think Complacency mixed with working in a humid afternoon are huge danger areas. Good Table Saws are a awesome addition to the Shop but they have to be "well respected. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Dave, Beachmere, Brisbane, Australia
Superb video. thank you.
nice, these are probably the most helpful safety tips i've seen so far on youtube
Wow! Wonderful Safety Education
🙏Thanks Colin. 👍Great information.
Good info thanks for posting
Very nice demonstration on the blade height...Thanks ... 👍
Ty very much for the excellent video.I learned again,love it.
Thank you! Safety is number one and it’s good to see even if you’re experienced.
Good info, I use my table saw insert as a no finger zone . Its a good red visual aid to remind me to us a push stick if its that close .
Great video thanks Colin.
Great info, Colin! Thanks a lot! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Excellent points
This video was nicely done. Excellent content and narration. Thank you.
Great video, these things are very important to remember. Zero accidents is the goal! After talking with a surgeon who said he would lose significant business if people purchased tables saws with safety things like Sawstop has (note there are other options to Sawstop if one looks) I decided to get a Sawstop. The cost of the saw is small compared to the cost of a finger or thumb.
Great vid, thanks! Blessings!!!
I was a shop assistance in the architecture program teaching model & furniture classes. The woodshop had a powermatic 66 with new riving knife or splitter. We had a few good rule one being the smallest peice you can rip with the fence had to be twice as long as the exposed arc of the blad. And absolutely no free hand cuts on the table saw.
This was really informative. I knew that the hight of the blade made the cut more efficient but I never made the friction connection. I will now always remember to make that adjustment before cutting. Thanks.
Your comments are correct. I always - 100% of the time go through the checklist you mentioned. I’ve had kickback once. I was making the last cut in a long day and tired. Won’t do that ever again. Finish the next day saves a lot of pain and in some instance missing digits.
Thank for your the best tip ever on being complacent !!
The tablesaw.... the tool that has my most respect !
Thank you for doing this video, I will look at my push sticks differently from now on.
Great info
thank yhou for this safety informational
Great video Colin. 😉 👍 Cool watch
These are undoubtedly great tips. A few observations as a newbie having trouble finding shop time and these days mostly just watches others make stuff on CZcams:
For the circular saw, even if you can't get good results it still seems well worth it to use the circular saw at least to help with rough break down.
Since most major CZcams woodworkers at least use riving knives and push sticks (and don't use the blade guard), almost all of the table saw injuries I've heard of have been of the "I reached over the blade to grab the cut off and it nicked my finger" variety. A blade guard would have prevented those, but I think so would an outfeed table. It's also a really good argument to keep the blade lower.
I know there's at least one CZcams woodworker who seems to reach over to grab the cut off as part of every cut. Not sure if that makes him more or less susceptible to this kind of injury since he's so practiced in that aspect of the operation, though I'm sure it's another case where complacency would get him in trouble.
I personally don't use my blade guard, mainly because it's difficult to adjust the riving knife position in order to put it on, and I would need to frequently remove it and lower the riving knife in order to use my current crosscut sled, but I make it a point to not reach over to grab any cut offs while the blade is spinning (either use an outfeed table, hold it past the blade with the push sticks until the blade spins down, or just let it free if it's relatively short or if I just don't mind letting it fall to the floor).
Thank You!!! Great Tips!!! 😎👍
No major events with mine. One time I was in hurry. Went to grab piece before blade stopped. Cut my finger. I use Grrpr block now, love it. Thanks for video.
Kudos 👍! I appreciate your walk through again!! I'm using the saw again this afternoon.
I dry run a cut set up, blade dropped and OFF, just to check. Mind and Gut says "Not Comfortable", I reset the cut. It works!
👍 Kudos again!!
Good advice Colin.
Thank you, Colin.
A good reminder to us all regarding complacency. Once or twice I've had a wee scare on the table saw when I've not been mindful of what I'm about. Always a good idea to stop, and take a breath before making any cuts. As a journeyman once told me: always respect your tools!
In my case, it's not too difficult, as my table saw does not have a soft start, so sounds a bit like a shotgun going off when you fire it up. That, if nothing else, tends to focus the mind, but we all tend to zone out on repetitive tasks.
Very good point. Easy to drift off with a soft start.
using the 2nd shown pushstick i always had the feeling of 'this could tip over to the left and my hand gets into the blade'. So i build myself 2 GRR Gripper style thingys which feels magnitudes safer and also has more control in all 3 directions as well.
Thank you, Colin, another would be a nice first aid kit also mounted on the wall for quick access. I bought mine at Sam’s for around $24.98.
Specifications:
351 pieces of comprehensive first-aid treatment products
Meets or exceeds OSHA / ANSI / ISEA Z308.1-2015 standards for 100 people
Ideal for most businesses and perfect for family use at home
Fully organized interior compartments with tilting shelves provide quick access
Two separate layers for large and small first-aid products
Easy-slide latches securely lock into place
Rugged, sturdy hard plastic, wall-mountable case is impact-resistant