A table saw is a woodworking machine with a circular saw blade driven by an electric motor. There are three main types: portable, contractor, and cabinet. Accessories like a sliding cross slide and extension tables can be added. Safety is important, including wearing safety glasses and using the appropriate blade.
A table saw is a simple woodworking machine with many useful applications. Its main components are a circular saw blade which is engaged on a shaft and driven by an electric motor. The purpose of a table saw is to cut pieces of wood into different shapes and sizes. It is an important fixture in almost any woodworking shop.
There are three main categories of table saws. Portable saws are small and inexpensive, but are best used for small cutting jobs. A contractor’s saw is found in most woodworking shops and is the most common type. Cabinet saws provide the most motor power and the largest work surface, making them highly accurate but also quite expensive.
There are a number of tools that can be fitted to a table saw to help cut various designs. For precision cutting, a sliding cross slide is a necessary device. Used to model picture frames, it increases cross-cutting accuracy by cutting exact 45° bevel cuts. Extension tables can expand your work surface, allowing you to handle sheets as large as 4 x 8 feet (1.2 x 2.4 meters). Other jigs and accessories can modify a normal car.
Industrial table saws are most often used for larger pieces of wood. The higher it is projected above the table, the deeper the blade can cut through the material. Alternatively, placing the saw lower makes for shallower cuts. The pattern maker of an industrial table saw can also cut wood to very tight tolerances.
Another important feature is the fence. It provides several improvements to your equipment and is sometimes more expensive than the table saw itself. When cutting wood on a table saw, the fence acts as a guide; by making sure the wood is flush with the fence, the carpenter ensures a straight cut. While it does not add power to the machine, it does provide very accurate measurements allowing you to work faster and safer. While the quality of the material always plays a role, a good fence minimizes bending and the risk of miscalculations.
One of the main concerns when it comes to table saws is safety. Many accidents happen each year with saws and there are strict guidelines that must be followed to reduce the risk of injury. Obvious rules include wearing safety glasses, keeping a cleared workplace, and keeping your distance from a chainsaw. It is also very important to use the appropriate blade for the right material and to adjust the guide correctly. Failure to do so could cause the blade to bind and cause a kickback, which pushes the piece of material back towards the operator at dangerous speed.
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