Table Saw - Charnwood W650P

Self-Induction Required

This equipment requires an self-induction prior to use. For your own safety and to avoid damage to the equipment do not attempt to use it until you have completed this.

Laceration / Entanglement Hazard

This equipment is hazardous to the user and others in the space.

PPE Required

This equipment requires the use of eye protection / hearing protection / extraction during use.

A TABLE SAW IS OFTEN THE MOST DANGEROUS TOOL IN A WOODSHOP! It may look straightforward to use, but any deviation from correct procedure can result in an extremely nasty accident to yourself and/or somebody who happens to be nearby.

THE TABLE SAW IS NOT A GENERAL PURPOSE SAW! It is designed to make specific types of cuts, and should only be used in that way. Check if we have a more suitable tool before using the table saw. The table saw should always be your last option for making a cut.

Wood dust is hazardous! You must always connect the table saw to the mobile extractor, and empty the extractor bin when it's full.

The table saw is loud! You must wear ear protection, and offer it to those around you before using the saw.

The table saw is for cutting seasoned dimensional timber, or timber-based sheet materials such as ply or MDF.

It should only be used to cut materials that can be held firmly against the bed and the fence without risk of slipping during the cut. This means the materials must have regular flat sides.

You must never use the table saw for:

Any other materials, such as plastic, resin, or metal.
Irregularly-shaped pieces of timber (eg: tree branches, lathe blanks) that can't be held firmly against both the bed and fence.
Fresh-cut, “green”, or unseasoned timber.
Stuff that doesn't fit in the saw.

Table saws are designed for making rip cuts. A rip-cut is a cut along the length of a piece of timber (usually following the grain) guided by the fence. Rip Cutting is the standard usage for our saw, and covered in this induction.

It is also possible to use the table saw to make other types of cuts, usually via an appropriate jig or sledge. These types of usage are not covered in detail this induction. Please Note: You must never use the table saw to make 'freehand' cuts or curved cuts!

Setup and Preparation for a Rip Cut

To safely make a rip cut it's vital that you set the saw up correctly. This means ensuring a riving knife is fitted (part of the blade guard and riving knife assembly), the fence is correctly positioned and locked for your cut, and the blade is set to the right height for your material. Taking these steps help prevent kickback, which is covered in detail further down this page.

Set up the working area

Inspect the machine for obvious defects or damage.
Ensure the working area is clear of trip-hazards and obstacles.
Ensure the outfeed area is clear of obstructions.
Connect the mobile dust extractor/cyclone to the port on the lower back of the machine.
Check if the extractor/cyclone is full, and empty it if needed.
Ensure the blade guard & riving knife assembly is securely in place.

Set up the Fence Position

You must setup the fence position and lock the fence into place. The process references the diagram below.

Loosen both the Main locking knob (p) and Micro adjustment knob (q)
Move the fence into roughly the correct position
Tighten the Micro adjustment knob (q)
Turn the Micro adjustment screw to position the fence exactly ( r )
Tighten the Main locking knob (p)

Set up the Blade Height and Angle

Release the locking handle (h)
Adjust the blade angle with the leaver on the right hand side of the machine (k)
Adjust the blade height with the leaver on the front of the machine. The blade gullets should be just above the surface of your material See this video
Engage the locking handle (h)

Stay safe

Put on hearing protection, and inviting others in the room to do the same.
Put on eye protection.
Tie back long hair, and remove any loose or dangly items (jewellery, baggy sleeves, hoody tassels, etc).

Making a Rip Cut

When making a rip cut you must:

Use the mobile dust extractor/cyclone at all times.
Hold your material firmly against the fence and firmly against the table throughout the cut.
Feed your material slowly through the saw. If you smell burning, see smoke, or have to force your material, stop the saw and investigate.
Wherever possible, use push sticks or push blocks instead of your hands to hold your material. Many gruesome table saw accidents would have been prevented this way.
Never allow your hands to come anywhere close to the blade, or in line with the blade.
Never reach across the saw while it is running.
Never walk away from the saw while it is running.
Never retrieve your material or waste from the saw while it is running.

After Rip Cutting

Switch off the saw before collecting your material or clearing up waste.
Switch off the extractor.
Clean up the area once the saw is off.
Tap out of the machine to ensure others cannot use it without passing this induction.
Return the push sticks to their correct locations.

Kickback is an incredibly dangerous and common phenomenon when using a table saw! Kickback occurs when the material is permitted to twist slightly, or lifts from the bed. The saw will suddenly grab and twist the material, then spit it back at the operator at very high speed. The operator's hand is frequently drawn into the spinning blade at the same time.

As part of this induction, you MUST watch the following video to fully understand the causes and dangers of kickback. (NB: There is no gore.)

(The embedded video doesn't work in some browsers. Here's a link instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7sRrC2Jpp4)

To avoid kickback when rip cutting you must always:

Have the riving knife & blade guard assembly fitted.
Have the fence locked in the correct position for your cut.
Have the blade height set correctly for the thickness of your material.
Hold your material firmly against the fence and against the table at all times throughout the cut (Preferably with push sticks or push pads.)