Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- equipment:woodshop:tablesaw-w650p [2026/10/05 22:02] – aaronds
+++ equipment:woodshop:tablesaw-w650p [2026/10/06 13:00] (current) – sammyc
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 <callout title="PPE Required" type="primary" icon="true"> This equipment requires the use of eye protection / hearing protection / extraction during use.</callout>
-====Health & Safety Warnings====
+=====Health & Safety Warnings=====
   * **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.
@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
   * **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.
+  * **Wood dust is hazardous!** You must always ensure the dust extraction blast gate is open and the main dust extractor switched on! 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.
-====What Can I Use the Table Saw For?====
+=====What Can I Use the Table Saw For?=====
 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.
+**It must only be used to cut materials that can be held firmly against the bed and the rip or angle 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:
+You must NEVER use the table saw for:
-  * Any other materials, such as plastic, resin, or metal.
+  * Non-wood 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.
+  * Badly warped timber.
+  * Timber contain screws or nails.
   * 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.
+Table saws are primarily designed for making rip cuts. This is a cut along the length of a piece of timber (usually following the grain). The cut is guided guided by the fence.
-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!**
+Our saw is complete with a sliding table on the left hand side. This means the saw can also be used to make cross-cuts. Using this carriage is more fiddly and more dangerous than doing the same cut on the mitre saw, so your first choice for cross cutting should always be the mitre saw where possible.
-{{ equipment:woodshop:table_saw:table-saw-w650p-diagram.png }}
+**You must __NEVER__ attempt to use the table saw to make 'freehand' cuts or curved cuts!**
-=== Setup and Preparation for a Rip Cut ===
+===== Parts of the Table Saw =====
-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.
+{{:equipment:woodshop:table-saw-w650p-diagram.png?600|}}
+===== Working Safely =====
+When using the table saw:
+  * Wear hearing protection, and inviting others in the room to do the same.
+  * Wear eye protection.
+  * Always use the dust collection system.
+  * Tie back long hair, and remove any loose or dangly items (jewellery, baggy sleeves, hoody tassels, etc).
+  * 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.
+  * If you smell burning, see smoke, stop the saw and investigate.
+===== Setup and Preparation =====
+Before using the saw, you must do the following:
-== Set up the working area ==
   * Inspect the machine for obvious defects or damage.
-  * Ensure the working area is clear of trip-hazards and obstacles.
+  * Check the riving knife and blade guard (b) are present.
+  * Ensure your 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 ==
+  * Set the blade height and angle, as follows:
+    - Release the locking handle (h)
+    - Adjust the blade angle with the lever on the right hand side of the machine (k)
+    - Adjust the blade height with the lever on the front of the machine(i). The blade gullets should be just above the surface of your material [[https://youtu.be/U-bTxAeh9DA?t=6 | See this video ]]
+    - Engage the locking handle (h)
-You must setup the fence position and lock the fence into place. The process references the diagram below.
+  * Check that the dust collector is not full.
+  * Open the blast gate for the table saw and close the blast gates for any machines not currently in use.
+  * Switch on the dust collector.
-{{ equipment:woodshop:table_saw:table-saw-w650p-fence-adjust.png }}
+===== Rip Cutting (Cutting along the fence) =====
-  - Loosen both the Main locking knob (p) and Micro adjustment knob (q)
+Rip cutting must always be done with the aid of the rip fence (d).
-  - 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 ==
+**NEVER attempt to rip cut freehand**
-  - Release the locking handle (h)
+=== To set up for a rip cut===
-  - 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 [[https://youtu.be/U-bTxAeh9DA?t=6 | See this video ]]
+  * Lock the fence in the correct position for your cut, as follows:
-  - Engage the locking handle (h)
+    - Loosen both the Main locking knob (p) and Micro adjustment knob (q)
+    - Move the rip fence (d) 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)
+{{ equipment:woodshop:table_saw:table-saw-w650p-fence-adjust.png }}
+  * When cutting long boards or large sheets, use roller stands or an outfeed table to ensure they cannot tip or drop as the cut finishes.
-== Stay safe ==
+=== To make a Rip Cut ===
-  * Put on hearing protection, and inviting others in the room to do the same.
+  * Switch on the saw
-  * Put on eye protection.
+  * Hold the workpiece firmly against the rip fence (d) and flat to the bed (a).
-  * Tie back long hair, and remove any loose or dangly items (jewellery, baggy sleeves, hoody tassels, etc).
+  * **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.**
+  * Feed your material slowly through the saw.
+  * While pushing your material, never allow your hands to come anywhere close to the blade, or in line with the blade.
+Here is a good example of the correct setup for a rip cut, with the rip fence set correctly and the board firmly against it.
-=== Making a Rip Cut ===
+{{ equipment:woodshop:table_saw:table-saw-w650-rip-fence-2.jpeg?600 }}
-When making a rip cut you must:
+===== Cross Cutting (using the sliding table) =====
-  * Use the mobile dust extractor/cyclone at all times.
+With the aid of the sliding table (e) and angle fence (f), our table saw can be used for cross-cutting.
-  * **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 ===
+When cross cutting, your material must be firmly held to the angled fence on the sliding table, and the the sliding table is then used to guide the material through the saw blade.
-  * Switch off the saw before collecting your material or clearing up waste.
+**NEVER attempt to cross cut freehand or with the aid of the rip fence**
-  * 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.
-Here is a good example of the correct setup for a rip cut with the board against the fence:
+After cross cutting, the saw should be set back up for rip cutting.
-{{ equipment:woodshop:table_saw:table-saw-w650-rip-fence-2.jpeg?600 }}
+=== To set up for a cross cut ===
-=== Making a Cross Cut ===
+  * Move the rip fence well clear of your work, or remove it entirely from the table.
+  * Slot the angle fence (f) into the sliding table (e).
+  * Set it to the angle you want to cut (you can check the angle against the riving knife).
+  * Lock the angle fence (f) into position.
+  * Check that the angle fence will not come into contact with the blade during the cut
-When making a cross cut you must:
+=== To make a cross cut ===
+  * Switch on the saw
+  * Hold the workpiece firmly against the angle fence (f) and flat to the sliding table (e).
+  * Slowly and smoothly push the sliding table (e) forwards, guiding your workpiece across the blade.
+  * **Do not stop, twist or pull back part way through the cut.**
+Here is a good example of the correct setup for a cross cut with the board against the angle fence:
+{{ equipment:woodshop:table_saw:table-saw-w650-cross-hands_1.jpeg?600 }}
-  * Use the mobile dust extractor/cyclone at all times.
+===Cross Cut Tips ===
-  * **Always cross cut using the sliding table. Never cross cut freehand, and never push the material through using the rip fence.**
+  * You cannot crosscut materials longer than 550mm
-  * Remove the rip fence from the table saw.
-  * Check the crosscut fence is locked at the angle you want, the saw's riving knife and guard are fitted and in line with the blade.
   * For repeat cuts, use the flip-over length stop on the crosscut fence. Never use the rip fence as a length stop.
-  * Do not cross cut material wider than 550mm.
-  * Feed the sliding table slowly and smoothly all the way past the blade. Do not stop, twist or pull back part way through the cut. If you smell burning, see smoke, or have to force the cut, stop the saw and investigate.
-  * **Keep your hands well clear of the blade and never in line with it. Use a push stick or push block for any piece that would bring your hands within 30cm of the blade.**
-  * Support long boards or large sheets with a roller stand or a competent helper, so they cannot tip or drop as the cut finishes.
-  * Never cut material that is badly warped or has screws or nails in it. Be extra careful with loose knots.
-  * Never reach across the saw while it is running.
-  * Never walk away from the saw while it is running.
-  * Never retrieve your material or offcuts from the saw while it is running.
-=== After Cross Cutting ===
+===== After using the table saw =====
-  * Switch off the saw and wait for the blade to stop completely before collecting your material or clearing up offcuts.
+  * Always swich off the saw before collecting your material or clearing up waste.
   * Switch off the extractor.
-  * Use a brush, never your hands, to clear dust and offcuts from the table.
-  * Release the work clamp, flip the length stop out of the way, and return the sliding table to its rear position.
   * Clean up the area once the saw is off.
-  * Tap out of the machine to ensure others cannot use it without passing this induction.
+  * Log out of the machine to ensure others cannot use it without passing this induction.
-  * Return any push sticks or push blocks to their correct locations.
+  * Return the push sticks and push blocks to their shadowboard.
-Here is a good example of the correct setup for a cross cut with the board against the sliding table fence:
+===== Understanding Table Saw Kickback =====
-{{ equipment:woodshop:table_saw:table-saw-w650-cross-hands_1.jpeg?600 }}
+**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.
-==== Understand Table Saw Kickback ====
-**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.
+When this happens:
+  * The saw blade grabs the material and fires it back at the operator at very high speed.
+  * As the material twists, the operator's hand is drawn into the blade.
-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.)
+As part of this induction, you MUST watch the following video to fully understand the causes and dangers of kickback. (NB: This video is SFW. There is no gore.)
 {{youtube>u7sRrC2Jpp4?medium}}
@@ Line 143: / Line 161: @@
 (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:**
+**Remember, to avoid kickback when using the table saw, you must always:**
   * **Have the riving knife & blade guard assembly fitted.**
-  * **Have the fence locked in the correct position for your cut.**
+  * **Have the rip or angle 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.)
+  * **Hold your material firmly against a fence and against the table at all times throughout the cut** (Preferably with push sticks or push pads when rip cutting.)