Simple Guide to Table Saw Safety | Ask This Old House
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 มิ.ย. 2023
- In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor the features and techniques required to stay safe when using a table saw.
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We meet host Kevin O’Connor and general contractor Tom Silva back at the shop to discuss table saw safety. Tom explains to Kevin that there are lots of injuries caused by table saws each year and then highlights some of the features and techniques that can help saw users stay safe.
Table saws cause lots of injuries each year. Very often, these injuries are caused by users removing or not using certain safety devices that are designed to keep them safe. Sometimes, it’s poor technique or positioning that’s to blame. General contractor Tom Silva explains what table saw users need to know to stay safe.
Where to find it?
Tom demonstrates necessary safety protocol when using a table saw. For the demonstration, he used a SawStop 15amp CTS Table Saw, which is manufactured by SawStop [www.sawstop.com/].
Tom emphasizes wearing safety glasses [amzn.to/3P8OFOn] to prevent sawdust from getting in eyes and hearing protection [amzn.to/3X1qSSk] to prevent hearing loss damage from the volume of the saw.
Tom shares how a blade guard can act as a reminder to keep hands and fingers away from the blade and also protect a user in the case of kickback.
Tom then showcases how a brake cartridge can sense moisture near the blade, like the moisture on fingers, and drop the blade beneath the table into a brake.
Tom demonstrates how using a push stick [amzn.to/43FbVIb] helps to keep hands and fingers as far away from the blade as possible.
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Simple Guide to Table Saw Safety | Ask This Old House
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That Saw-Stop technology is pretty wild
Yup, and every table saw manufacturer turned them down to license the technology. So they made their own saws.
Pity it cannot be retrofitted to old saws.
@@JoePJack1 Is that so? Shameful that the patent holder's greed prevented the safety feature from becoming way more widespread. Murrica.
surge balck
@@JasonFarrell it wasn’t the patent holders greed. The manufacturers saw liability issues if they sold one saw with the technology and other models without.
Ive own a SawStop for 5 years. Besides the safety features, these saws are well built and accurate.
That is amazing technology! The first time I used a table saw it kicked back on me and gashed my thumb but could’ve been so much worse! It has scared me away from it since. I didn’t have anyone to properly teach me until I watched your video. Even though I watch the TV show more, I just want to say that I’m so thankful you guys make these videos. I’m a 48 year old woman. My dad knew how to do literally EVERYTHING! He died the day after my 42nd birthday and he was the one I went to for anything. After he died I took jobs that taught me how to hang drywall, paint, demo, install trim, install toilets and sinks, electrical, install security systems, and so much more. I am now teaching myself how to work on cars which is what my dad used to do for a living. Hoping to learn HVAC in the future. Sometimes when I have a question and I can’t find no one to answer it I know I can check your videos and usually figure things out. I miss him so much and I know he would be proud of all I can do now and I’m able to help mom when an issue arises in the home without spending the money to call a professional. Dad and I used to watch your show together all the time. I think of him every time I see you guys on here or on TV. Thanks so much for making these videos! I’ve been so lost without Dad, but you guys have been a big help for me more than you know.
Wow amazing story! Even though your father is no longer with us I know he is proud of you and the many things you have learned!
@@MrLightdark22 thank you so much!
Really important video! I have a table saw and use it and always always practice 100% safety. It scares the hell out of what it could do to me if I ever don’t show it the respect and care it deserves.
Keep going like this and you'll start getting shop teachers with all their fingers. Mine had nine fingers. He was missing his right middle finger.
20 years proud of being a shop teacher with all 10 fingers. My secret, not becoming complacent around the saw, focusing 100% on the blade and cut, and lastly listening and feeling what the saw and board are doing. Also have got. In the habit of 2 things, always standing on the side of the cut, that way if kickback happened, I'm clear, just like Tom did, and second, cutting half the length and flipping end for end. Sawstop is an awesome technology and I wish it was manditory for all schools to have only a sawstop.. Imagine just the saving in liability / health insurance payouts, not to mention time out the classroom... The initial $3000 to $5000 a sawstop initial cost would be, compared to cost of later...
@@just_a_guy_doing my high school teacher told us don't be like the one kid that had his gut ripped open by the radial arm saw. .
Shop teachers? That's a joke right? Nowadays they have been replaced by social media teachers...
@@RealMTBAddict.... no hate bro but this is some true boomer stuff. im 20, went to a trade high school, OF COURSE we have shop teachers. nobody teaches social media.... why do you think people are watching these videos?
@@sonia-nf3eh You went to a trade high school. Calm down.
I personally don't use power saws & a axe . Mainly because I don't know how to use them safely. Reading directions is good but to learn from someone who knows the proper way is best in my humble opinion
Another tip is a *quality table saw* where the fence actually stays parallel to the blade. I had a cheaper one that sometimes would "wedge" the wood, resulting in stopping the blade or worse - kickback.
I volunteer at Habitat for Humanity where my supervisor is constantly telling me to use a pusher stick provided to send the. piece through that last 6-8 inches. Your thoughts? Often on larger wood it seems like more trouble than it's worth.
Agreed. A heavy table saw with a cast iron top is far more safe than those cheap rickety "contractor" saws you see on jobsites.
The good thing about cheaper table saws is that when kickback happens it's much less violent.
I had one moment of distraction when using a table saw when I was 16. The wood kicked back and my left hand went right through the blade.
It really didn't hurt. Felt like I slammed my hand down on the table.
Started to walk into the house from the garage but had the presence of mind to turn around and check the saw for any loose fingers.
Somebody was watching out for me because the saw was set about two inches high but it only removed my thumb and sawed three-quarters of the way into all my fingers.
I had a great surgeon that was able to put everything back together again except I did lose my thumb joint.
That was 35 years ago and my hand works good enough that I can type about sixty words per minute and I'm currently employed in tech.
Ouch. At the same age in shop class I cut halfway through my left hand pinky. Just some stitches. Havent had an incident in 45 years since.
Great demo!
Very good advice. Thanks for a very informative video.
saw this on TV yesterday!
Don't know anybody is still reading this but I will still add to the conversation on the subject. Back when I was learning how to use a table saw , many years ago, I was talked to add some thickness to the rip fence up to the point where the saw blade starts its cut. This change to the rip fence prevents the workpiece from pinching between the saw blade and the fence. Now the addition of a featherboard before entering the saw blade keeps the workplace firmly against the fence.
Top 3 favorite home improvement show since 030 haven't miss a episode yeti awesome tip Roger table saw safety know how.👍
Great educational video. Thank you
THAT IS AN EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!
Outstanding information gentlemen! 👏 ☝️👍🫵
Very nice video Tommy,
I gotta hand it to you! Nice that saw accidents are more rare….I hope that in the near future all saw makers will ketchup on this tech.
I see what you did there.
Thanks for sharing I just placed my order for the Saw Stop CTS I’m pretty new in woodworking and wanted to be safe
In that case, you must get training. Vital
Amazing safety technology
WOW these new saws are amazing 👍👍😁
I understand there is a cost to research and development but I wish something that is so important for safety was made available for all saw providers. It’s like if a car brand invented the seats belt and only car of that brand are allowed to install them.
That almost did happen! Volvo gave away the patent on the 3 point safety belt so everyone could use it.
Before sawstop made table saws they tried to just license the technology to
The big saw manufacturers and they all declined because they didn't wanna add any cost to their saws. That's when sawstop decided to build and sell their own.
@@ja8898 Thanks for info
I remembered when they did a taping in NYC and also appeared on The Tonight Show demonstrating the Saw Brake tech.
6:02 lol Kevin!!! 🤣
PS- what about the use of featherboards???
When I was in hight school in my wood shop class we had a saw stop and our teacher was showing us how it worked and how it keep us safe.
Those handburgers are a rare medium well done.
You do have to spend some time setting the saw up... blade, fence, etc. But once done, the saw is great. Fairly compact which is Nice th-cam.com/users/postUgkxXh-4_3-ZT1fFWP91ZV7iVqzElr0lEb-a I did get an Incra Miter Gauge which takes some setup as well. The stock miter gauge can be adjusted in the miter slot with a little painter's tape... this tightens up the side to side play a lot.
Wow. Just bought a harbor freight table saw. Definitely does not have that technology. But as a diyer who barely uses one. That is a great feature. Thanks for the video.
That technology isnt cheap.
Use your blade guard.
nice table saw.
Just loved those Hand-Burgers 😁✌
Great demonstration. Hats off for that fake fingers 👏 👌
I love the hot dog demo; almost magic...
Many others have videos using just the hot dog.... but this is classic!
indredible tech , stay safe
Do you recommend ripping stock with or without worcestershire sauce? Ima kiddin'! Great video!
Hey new woodworker here, it’s my first year and the table saw at my work has none of those safety devices. I have had one kickback and have been nervous since. Should I convince my boss to upgrade the old saw? We are a cabinet shop and make probably 300-400 cuts on it a day
Lol, Kevin made two funnies. 😀
Way more than two. The others must have gone over your head.
I don't understand why you proclaimed the blade to be ruined, never to be used again, after the finger injury safety feature was successfully engaged?
Paul M, Atlanta, GA
I believe it hits a pawl or something when goes off and damages the blade/teeth
Also note that, when using a SawStop saw, you should only use unpainted, SawStop blades. The stop system works based on sensing a small electrical current flow, and painted blades like this one inhibit that process.
Was looking for this comment. Though they dont have to be SawStop brand blades. The blade that ships with saw is junk. I use CMT blades in my PCS. But yeah definitely unpainted blades. And also make sure to get a sawstop recommended dado set too haha.
Huh.... Where have you seen blades with painted teeth?
@@batvette the teeth arent what bond the blade to the saw.
@@mauricecooper9016 the arbor hole is unpainted dude. It sits on the motor shaft. The teeth then contact the skin. Or hot dog.
Hey I dont own one maybe Im wrong but I dont think so.
@@batvette the arbor hole on diablo blades at least are painted. All i know for sure is that SawStop recommends not to use painted blades in their saws because it could cause the brake to either have a delayed activation or no activation at all so i dont run them in mine. Not to mention the paint from the blade sometimes tends to transfer to the work piece when making a cut. Not an issue when rough cutting but not something i would want on a finish cut.
I am so careful with my table saw but today scared me. My cut was finished but my fingertip contacted the blade which was shut off but not fully stopped. I got cut but lucky. That is why I am watching this video.
Well, at least they finally got around to mentioning the blade guard near the end of the video, tho they didn't seem to know how to actually install it. The blade guard is the simplest most basic safety feature, it comes with every saw, also provides a riving knife and in many (if not most) cases comes with the anti-kickback pawls, and frankly they should have been talking about it long before something as elaborate and expensive as a sawstop system. There are guys down in the comments doing the macho I-know-better "by God I know what I'm doing and don't need those training-wheel blade guards and riving knives". I wish them luck but don't listen to their advice. It can happen to anyone, even them. Just because it hasn't doesn't mean it won't.
Handburger, legendary!
I picked up an old table saw that does not have a riser blade, can I rig up one?
Nice to meat you.... Well Done... lol
Just watched “Everything Everywhere All at Once”… 😂 hot dog fingers!!!
This old house 4th of July handburger & handburger bun patriot safety celebration safety pack
Fantastic content as always
Laughing then pure safety
Best safety video and TOH series is fantastic
Pride comes from what you can create/repair as an asset and what one factually knows
I read that Volvo voluntarily shared their innovative restraint systems to the auto industry without compensation........Sawstop has been around for some time now.
Keeping the blade low means less exposed blade to injure your hand, but more chance of kickback (assuming no riving knife). Best to just go with a riving knife and blade guard and not worry so much about blade height.
That's great, kickback is still a thing
Just watched a guy almost lose his finger that’s why I’m here👍🏻 it’s an old table saw at work probably 25+years old and he was supposed to be teaching me. It kicked back and he was standing right behind it. Freaked me out still in shock.
Mikita came out with a better “stop” version of the saw stop that doesn’t ruin the blade. Unfortunately the courts put a stop to its release over patent issues.
Actually it was Bosch. The saw was called Reaxx.
Listened to many videos n the micro jig is recommended over the stick.
Keep in mind people, although the SawStop has wonderful safety tech, it won't protect you from kick back. Always practice proper safety techniques with ANY table saw!
Warning! That safety feature that stops the blade is a rare feature and not on most saws.
The best and easiest power tool safety feature that nobody talks about is a foot switch.
Can't wait for sawstops patent to pass. Bosch has a better system.
What is better about it?
@@RazorStrap It doesnt ruin the saw blade when it retracts.
@@gjk1504 But is it as injury mitigation effective?
@@RazorStrap supposedly yes . TOH had it on one of their episodes before they took it down due to the patent lawsuit. Will be interesting if it comes back out.
Told my dad about it on his new saw come back 3 days later to use his saw it dont work
he used a hotdog to try it out thinking it was simple as resetting a breaker not thinking it would trash the whole system
it was so violent it cracked the mount for the motor but im sure 585 for a new saw vs 20k for hospital bills
I have a crew. Therefore I own a SawStop tablesaw.
The blade flush with the material is definitely safer but cut quality suffers.
Why would you ever use a saw stop without the safety feature?
Mmm. Years ago when I was an apprentice at the beginning of class a classmate came in with his right arm bandaged and in a sling. Teacher asked him what happened? Kid said accident with a table saw. Teacher asked if the student knew the cause. The student was clueless. It was funny but not funny. Teacher raised his eye brows and said he maybe on the path to lose more.
My biggest thing is that going to the ER just takes way too much time if you lose a finger.
It's a decent video on kickback, but it should really cover a lot more. Don't use a miter gauge and the fence at the same time, don't cut twisted, cupped, or warped boards, don't put your hands behind the blade, don't pull lumber through the saw, always use either a miter gauge, fence, or sled (no free-handing), etc.
Pulling wood through is not a hard and fast rule. If you're pulling from the end of an 8 foot long 2x4 you're never in a million years going to get pulled into the blade if it kicks back.
I take a handburger with cheese, please! Hope it’s finger licking good? 😂
That was funny with the burger & weiners together to form a human hand , that was a tasty demonstration, I'll bet Tommy is a good cook on the grill too !!! 👋🌭🍔 😋
I keep clicking on 1:35 - "shabamm"
What if you have a really DRY HAND?
It works on resistance, where wet wood and moisture will trigger it. So make sure your wood you cut is dried enough, otherwise, its like $80 a replacement cartridge AND your blade...which I think you should inspect. I've seen so many of these youtube makers with $3500 sawstop cabinet saws...and most never disclaim they paid for it or it was free for advertisement purposes. I'm sure its a great tech, but they should license it to others, to save fingers and other injuries.
Sawstop originally tried to license the technology to every single saw maker out there. All of them didn't want the technology. It is funny how people think Sawstop is the bad guy for "keeping this to themself" but they tried. Of course they won't license it now that they had to go thru and build an entire business selling tablesaws.
that would be so cool to bring back new Yankee workshop with Norm Abram I can't wait until that happens when PBS brings that back‼️‼️‼️‼️
Don't understand the part where he says blade is ruined? What does it do that renders it useless.
The brake (big chunk of aluminum) gets shoved into the teeth of the blade - that's what stops it and pulls it under the table. The force exerted on the blade is incredible and could damage it even if it looks okay on the surface.
Well the blade is stopped ubruptly by sinking its teeth into an aluminum matrix at the speed of around 150 miles an hour, so it's not recommended to be reused due to possible stress fracturing or other weakening of the blade.
@facklere thanks, that was helpful to understand
@@mitchdenner9743Thanks, that was helpful to understand
👍🤘🤙
what if you're wearing gloves?
joke, Tommy never uses a guard and splitter!
A simple guide to table saw safety should include throwing that plastic push stick in the garbage and making your own out of soft pine, I have over a dozen push sticks of different designs for specific tasks. Those plastic push sticks can be a danger all their own when making contact with a table saw blade.
Their patent needs to expire so affordable table saws can get this
2024 their parent extension will expire so we’ll see more safety features from other brands
why you demo how the kickback happened!!! ???????? I just mimic your behavior and got kickback indecent today!!!!!
Common man, the blade is way to high! 🙄🙃
What's sad is that the creator of saw stop wanted every brand to have access to this technology. But all brands were more concerned with their production cost increasing, than they were for the people's body parts who religiously buy those brands..
This is the only major tool I don't own. I have 17 hammers, two skillsaws and no table saw.
I have so many tools my landlord said I couldn't keep them in my apartment. Honestly it's not that much, they aren't used to seeing a man with a few toolboxes. And like a man I refused.
You can get kickback with a circular saw too. In fact, I think it happens with more frequency that with the tablesaw, but your hands are away from the blade, so maybe a little safer. I've had it happen twice, once with a piece of plywood and once when cutting up a pallet. Scary.
if you play the video without watching the ending sounds like he is boinking tommy. haha
Kickbacks don't always go straight back. Demonstrations that I've seen and video of actual kickbacks. The piece climbs up over the blade and is launched at about 30 degrees or so. Right where Tommy is standing. Seems to me that standing on the opposite side of the fence from the blade would be safer.
I think it is a disservice to indicate that kickbacks go straight back. Very over simplified.
Its shabam.
Shabam is right 😂😂😂
Who puts a shop on the top floor?!?!
Why not? Whatever works. There's a UK TH-camr that has his shop in the attic.
Handburger
First thing you should remove is your 💍
In 45 years of working around a table saw (sporadically as a hobby, not daily professional use) I refuse to use the blade guards or riving knives. Like many other safety features they introduce their own hazards.
Several rules to follow.
1. Blade only as high as it has to be.
2. Never move the work backwards.
3. Push stick when needed.
4. Stand to the side if kickback is a risk.
And.... I wont list this as 5 because its the most important.
Never, ever, take your eyes off the spinning blade. If you have to look away for a second, keep it in the corner of your eye.
A final tip is check the blade/motor alignment with the fence and mortar gauge groove when you first get a saw. Its common for them to be up to a full degree off. If its narrowing itll shoot your work at you especially if the blade is tilted.
batvette wrote: "I refuse to use the riving knives. Like many other safety features they introduce their own hazards."
Yet you did not cite even one. Probably they are insignificant compared to the safety they provide.
Seatbelts can result in injury in an accident. Far more likely it will save your life or reduce injury severity though. There was a time when people would refuse to use seatbelts. But they finally wised up due to being legally forced. Now they wouldn't stop using them even if they could. Hopefully it won't take a serious injury for you to wise up.
Years of experience is not justification for rejecting safety features. One of my brother-in-laws is seasoned carpenter for at least 5 decades. Almost lost a finger due to kickback a few years ago.
@@RazorStrap because the guard thats attached to it gets in the way of the blade, I dont need to fight that to get my work to the blade.
Hey if you feel you need training wheels have at it. Most of us just got on and pedaled.
@@batvetteRiving knives are not a training device (training wheels), to be used while learning to use the tool (ride a bike), then discarded.
@@RazorStrap I described why theyre a problem, why not address that. The guard interferes with the work cleanly meeting the blade and creates its own unnecessary hazard, just as I stated. Some brands do it better than others, but having to wiggle the work around to get it past the guard is a distraction I dont need.
@@batvette The blade guard and the riving knife are two separate pieces of equipment. The blade guard can sometimes get in the way. A riving knife rarely if ever gets in the way.
you .... are standing wrong. stop "teaching"
I was really enjoying watching this video, but sadly I had to stop due to the blasphemy... 😓😓
Everyone loves that saw stop yet nobody has put their real finger in it
you can find a video of its creator putting his finger in it
You first
Because it's expensive to replace the blade, brake and anything else that it breaks. Like an air bag. One use and replace. There is no test to verify if it's working feature.
Probably a few people have put their real finger(s) in it though, and it saved them. So, they are not part of the injury statistics and not heard about.
When I bought my SawStop table saw, guy at the store gleefully asked, “Wanna see the worst injury I’ve ever seen on a SawStop?” Turned out to be a cut that would require no more than a bandaid. 😂
Well that was…….. handy….. 🖐️😆🪚