TABLE SAW SAFETY - 11 tips to avoid death!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มี.ค. 2019
- I run a little joinery workshop and have been using my trusty DeWalt DW745 table saw for around 5 years. In this video I'm telling you what goes through my mind to keep myself safe with my table saw in my small workshop. Please bear in mind this is only 11 tips and there are MANY more things you need to consider before using a saw like this. Sorry this video is so long - there's really nothing I can leave out. Believe me, I tried!
Accompanying article for this video: gosforthhandyman.com/table-sa...
UK HSE Table Saw Guide: www.hse.gov.uk/woodworking/rip...
Part 1 - First Aid: • First Aid in a Small W...
Part 2 - General Workshop Safety: • How Not to Kill Yourse...
Part 3 - Table Saw Safety: • TABLE SAW SAFETY - 11 ...
Table saw safety videos I like:
Matthias Wandel, beginner table saw mistakes to avoid: • Two beginner table saw...
Stumpy Nubs, how kickback injuries occur: • Video
Steve Ramsey, 6 keys to shop safety: • 6 Keys to Shop Safety ...
Mr Fix It, my accident and how to avoid your own: • Table Saw Safety: My A...
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DeWalt DW745 Table Saw
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Freud Pro LP40M 60 Tooth 250mm Saw Blade
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Freud Diablo D1060X 60 Tooth 10" Saw Blade
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I got you boss. Thanks for kicking down some knowledge!
Absolutely! I appreciate your well thought out, informative style. Thank you for taking the time and caring enough to do these with care. God bless...
you got it!
A very good basic safety video. I would just like to add that when reusing wood please beware of there possibly being screws or nails within it. Take care.
thanks
I removed the riving knife from my TS 12 years ago. After watching this video, I spent 2 hours looking for it, 30 minutes removing 12 years of rust, and just re installed the thing.
You smart now 😉👍
Good on you. I hope others follow your lead.
@@CamperKev I'm putting mine back on today!
I didn't even know what the riving knife was. I did suffer kickback, but I'm much shorter so I lucked out and took a board in my well padded stomach. I was very lucky, but never understood WHY it happened, or how to mitigate. I'll be installing my riving knife before next use. I don't use my table saw often.
@Factual Fox LOL, so does my wife! I was very lucky, but luck DOES run out.
I bought my first table saw today. I set it up and then fought the urge to start cutting stuff and came inside and have watched about two hours worth of table saw safety videos. Thanks!
I did about the same though I fired it up and cut a bit of scrap first. I'll put the blade guard back on in the future. It worked well and without incident.
Very wise man.
im doing exactly that right now!
Glad you're still with us
@@eminem2 😆
I have been a health and safety professional for more than 30 years, and this is one of the best safety videos I have ever seen, professional or amateur. Good, good job.
I am also responsible for workshop training and safety and am truly astonished at how many people are using table saws with no top guard and no riving knife. For a professional in the UK its unforgivable. If its an amateur then you should at least try to get some industry standard training. Too many people think it looks easy so overlook the dangers including trainee professionals. In the right hands the table saw is incredibly versatile although many of its uses are now outlawed or very frowned upon in the UK.
Totally agree! I am a fellow H&S/ IH
@@johnsanchez1619 IH's rock~ lol
@@instarx Thanks brother!
Had my first kickback today. Lucky for me, like the one in this video, I lucked out and I was fine. I'll spare everyone the whole story but it was because I had made a couple of non-through cuts, then simply forgot to replace my riving knife when I then went to make a through cut. Right on cue it shot out of the saw at absolutely incredible speed. If you have never experienced a kickback, first of all, I hope you maintain that streak for your entire lives. Please believe when I say it is astonishingly, ridiculously fast. While I'm not a professional woodworker, I've been around power tools most of my life and my father has had a woodshop in the house since I was 10, so I know better. I made a stupid oversight and was lucky it didn't go south. Made it a point afterwards to watch several videos going through the proper procedures once again. You are absolutely never too experienced to get a refresher, and don't let pride tell you that you can't benefit from going over safety again.
I urge anyone, regardless of your age or level of experience, to make sure you go through a checklist every time you turn on the saw. Every, every time. For anything but the rare non-through cut, you should be using a blade guard whenever possible, and without question a riving knife or splitter when that's not an option. No project is worth your fingers, and there is no one on earth with reflexes faster than a table saw blade.
Thanks for this video, these are all great tips.
Thanks for sharing when you come down and actually read peoples experience and what they did wrong it drives the message through. I have a mantra whenever I use a power tool This could be the last time I use it If I get it wrong it just keeps you on your toes to the point it's like OCD I look down nothing on the floor to fall over no cables in the way etc
Most dangerous "Tool" in my workshop is Me...Me and my judgements...! Great video, glad you made this...great safety video.
Do not apologize for the length of your video!!! I was severely injured buy kick back when ripping a dense hardwood without a riving knife. The number of times that I have moved my hand or arm over the spinning blade because of poor posture or poor planning (not rehearsing the cut) is terrifying for me to think about. I’ve been using a table saw for 20 years and still found your video worth every minute. Thank you!!
I know a very nice owner of a Gravesend Woodyard suffered big time from kick back sharp piece flew back and right up into his arm
Same... Cutting a small piece of dense hardwood and had a horrible bad kickback... I wish I had watched 1 single safety video, because after a lifetime of using power tools, I had no idea what a riving knife was. I had seen riving knives in photos in the catalogs. But I didn't know that they could save your life.
I sat down and read the Manuel. Now I have watched this super cool video. If you could go in more detail about cutting on the saw with different size wood I appreciate it.
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.
I just bought a table saw. I'll be watching this a few more times before I use it. Thanks. And the video is NOT too long.
Takes a lot of humility to air your mistake for our gain. Thank you for all your videos they’re brilliant 👍
As someone with no experience of table saws, but just bought my first one; thank you for sharing this and hopefully making me think about what I'm doing and avoid injury.
Same here. I haven't even plugged mine in yet, and I've had it two weeks. I'm studying over and over, until I really learn all the safety lessons first. I like my fingers, I've grown attached to them over the years, and I don't want to lose them. Or any other of my soft parts!
Michael Williams Good point. I would just mention the thinner the piece of wood the more dangerous it can be, and it was shown in this video with kickback. I was not using a push stick and the other mistake I made same as in the video I did not clear the wood past the blade, even though I have used the saw for years “complacency” is what can turn around and bite you in the butt.
Same
I downed a longneck of vodka before testing mine the first time. Would like to submit a short report but cant remember enough, all i know is the next day when i saw that the cuts were so far from being straight that i almost questioned my sexual orientation.
Anyone can have an accident and not want to share what they've experienced. But to show a video of what you've learned is really cool. Even though I've always operated my bench saw from the side I've never really thought much about the other dangers of using it, especially in relation to kickback until you made me aware of it. Apart from the PPE that I'll start wearing when I'm operating the saw, you've also confirmed the need for me to put a First Aid cabinet in my workshop. Thanks heaps for the info.
Got to be honest Mr Gosforth, THIS is one of the best safety videos. The first 8-9 minutes is something that should be shown with every table saw sale - if not the whole vid! Most other videos just say kickback is bad, I've not really seen another video that shows it and breaks it down like you have. I've been guilty of thinking the worst thing that could happen is getting a finger trapped/ cut. You've kept everything really simple and clear. So thanks for the really well detailed video. You've probably saved someones life or limbs by posting this.
Thanks for that one, it is important to hear these things over and over again. My "nono" moment with the table saw: it was (mostly) because of you that I went out and bought a DW745 over a year ago. And I did exactly as you described - took it out of the box and just got going in the parking lot outside with a few test cuts. No riving knife fitted (because the pros don't use them either, so why bother, right?) and off I went with pine board to be cut into 2cm strips. First I didn't notice what happened, the strips just vanished. I cheerily cut away... when I turned round, all strips lie at the front door to the house (the saw was maybe 4m away, me standing back to the house) and the door - newly fitted three months earlier - suddenly sported several bullet holes from the wood sticks hitting it. The door is massive, it wasn't damaged beyond repair so I left the scars, they remind me of this matter every time I come home...
So wood can shoot back from a table-saw as fast as a freaking bullet for real? Okay whenever I start doing woodwork I'm sticking to hand tools for cutting or buying precut boards/wood. Probably just sticking to a miter saw for cutting to length and gluing things to a bigger surface.
What I find very helpful is to shim the riving knife so it just pushes the material against the fence it stands proud slightly with no gap on the blade, works for me I'm scared of that machine.
Thank you for the life saving advice! You are very lucky that the board missed the femoral artery, vein and nerve that are located in this area. I have read also the previous comments. Each one is a lesson that might save a life. Most accidents happen when “confidence” flies in the air. Must be focused on what we are doing the specific moment. Thoughts of a retired Orthopedic Surgeon, that has spent all his professional life dealing with such accidents and now an amateur woodworker. Greetings from Greece!
Never apologize for taking the time to explain something as important as safety. If you save one person from serious, possibly life threatening injury, it was worth spending whatever amount of time it took to drive the point home!
Enjoyed the video alot. Today I just installed a riser knife /splitter and blade guard on my old rigid TS2424 table saw. I bought the saw used about 8 years ago but it did not have the guard and all on it. I got the guard, knife, and splitter off ebay and it was used also. Old saw also old parts. I have been using a table saw for over 35 years but the week before thanksgiving I had a accident. I make bandsaw boxes and was running a small piece through the table saw and it kicked back. It hit me in the forehead causing great bleeding and 5 stables being put into my head. This saw that I had knowledge of for 8 years surprised me! Even the saw I had before this one never caused any problems. Never let your guard down!! I hope the install of these parts I got works . Thanks again for the great video .
I’m terrified of my table saw, now I have a checklist of things I do before even plugging it in. I’ve had 1 kickback incident, minor injury, but made me very wary. I made a cross cut jig, feel much more confident with it. Everyone please take care when using table saw. Great informative video 👍
Same here, table saws scare the shit out of me. Kinda sucks, though being that it's my FAVORITE tool by a landslide.
I think if you are afraid of your saw, you should actually sell it, and never use it again. Our subconscious mind has a way of warning us. We need to listen to our impulses. I had a feeling that I shouldn't use my saw a few months ago. I heard an inner voice say "this is a bad idea, don't cut this tiny strip of hardwood" and I didn't listen to my own instincts, and I ended up having a violent kickback. And I've been cutting for 25 years on a tablesaw, and still made a major mistake. What you can do instead, is simply make your own ripping fence and crosscut fences (straight edge guide jigs) for a handheld circular saw. I bought a Dewalt 7 1/4" right side blade, ultra light 13 amp circular saw, and it's absolutely amazing! It's super light, and super quiet, and you can rip large pieces of plywood or do small crosscuts without the fear factor of a wildly dangerous tablesaw.
@@Ritalie hi, yeah I got a ryobi circular saw and using it more now👍
I watched your video and almost everything you said not to do I have done I have made mistakes and by the grace of God I did not get injured. the only thing I have done right it seems is to stand off to one side and not directly behind the blade. I watched a video by another woodworker his site is stubby nubs and he showed how the piece came off the kickback at a angle and even standing to one side he would have gotten hit. I may watch this video again and again to keep your tips fresh in my mind. The push stick that you said was not safe is a type of push stick that another woodworker recommends and he even posts a pattern on how to make it I got the pattern but have not made the push stick yet and now that I have seen your video I realize it would put me way too close to the blade. I need to get a rive knife for my table saw I don't have one. Thanks for taking the time to make this video it has helped me and I know there are thousands of woodworkers who need to be reminded of
safety first.
NEVER ASSUME YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!
I've always used power tools, went to school for machining, worked on cars and in many shops. Recently decided to invest more into woodworking and got a table saw and immediately got to work thinking I was the man and knew what I was doing. Boy was I wrong, didn't have the riving knife on and started cutting on a 2x4 and you can guess it, that piece flew so fucking fast outta the blade didn't have a shirt on and knicked my stomach and I believe it scraped a good bit of skin of my finger. I've been super intimidated since but watching this has really helped me get back to it properly and safely most of all. Seeing that board kick back just shook me because I'm thinking back and I don't know even know where my hand was and probably even worse I don't know where the piece that hit me is either. PLEASE BE SAFE AND TAKE YOUR TIME
Today I got my Stanley 10 inch table saw delivered at my home. Since I was taking rest after getting a kickback from my hand grinder on my knee 10 days back; I got time skipping through many videos on TH-cam on how to avoid mistakes while using table saws. Buy this video by Mr Handyman is great. Thanks Handyman from me from God's Own Country- Kerala, India.😎
Well done. There are two types of woodworkers. Those that have had table saw accidents and those that will. Count me in the first group. Fortunately, just bruising (skin and ego) and scraping. Your comment about "if it doesn't feel right, don't do it" is dead on. And when you hear yourself saying "it's just one quick cut", stop. Thanks Andy!
wish I had read this a month ago lol broke two fingers and slice a chunk of my thumb off. thankfully I kept my fingers but on to a long road of recovery!
@@mariobarron1384 It could happen to anyone working with a table saw. Get well soon, Brother!
"It's just one quick..." applies to all tools, even hand tools. I have many scars to prove it. Getting my first table saw this week, used a big one quite a bit in the past but never had proper safety info like this since very long ago. Excellent video.
@@mariobarron1384 How did your healing go Mario? I've been cutting for 25 years, and thought I knew everything about table saw safety. Unfortunately I didn't know what a riving knife was (it's pretty obvious now.... duh!) and I was cutting a piece of small hardwood, and it kicked back. I sliced into 4 fingers. I had the blade low enough that I only cut about half way through my fingers.. Ugh.. I'm mostly healed now. My accident was due to using my saw after a 10 hour work shift, and being exhausted, and not thinking clearly. I now realize that accidents are the result of a mental problem, not a physical problem. Paying attention to what you're doing is of the utmost importance. Never operate a saw after work, or while being tired. I wish I hadn't been so over confident. I thought: "Oh it will never happen to me... I am too experienced..."
If someone is reading this comment, before an injury, it is a Divine miracle. It is God, or angels, or the Universe, trying to warn you. Read all of these comments! Do not ignore them. Don't assume you'll be safe. There was a REASON that you were guided to these comments. I was guided to the web forums before an accident, and it warned about the dangers of tablesaws. I didn't recognize the Divine guidance, as I was being warned, but I didn't notice the clues... Please don't take these comments for granted! I would advise anyone reading these comments to sell your tablesaw. Unless it's a modern saw with a riving knife. Not having a riving knife is guaranteed to result in a kickback. I wish I had known that!
Gosforth Handyman
You're the best-- because you're honest, caring , and a great teacher. Thanks a million, man🙏👍🙏
Excellent video. As a retired craft teacher I have used table saws for 50 yrs. In that time I have attended a number of safety courses on this machine and on each occasion realised how much I still had to learn. I have witnessed the design improvements made and the availability of inexpensive diy machines. This video goes a long way to filling the gap in training. There are many videos showing experts producing great results on unguarded machines i.e. dangerous techniques. I think the main reason for removing the Riving knife and guard is to facilitate the cutting of grooves or rebates but too many people do not bother to replace them. This is the first video to draw attention to the dangers of pushing the hand past the blade since it then has to be pulled back past the blade and if you get kickback, possibly on to the blade. Keep up the good work.
As an relative amateur in woodworking I’ve always been scared shitless of my table saw and use it only when I have to. Luckily my fear always lead me to follow most of the steps listed here and so I have never had an issue. However this video has taught me to fear less and respect more and I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to use my table saw.
This is one of the biggest lessons I've learned as I get more familiar with my table saw. I'm trying to carefully transition from "deathly afraid" to "cautiously respectful" of the tool. Table saws are an incredibly useful, versatile tool and are practically a necessity for most projects but they are also so dangerous that they require the user to CONSTANTLY be focused on every action they are doing.
Literally just refitted the riving knife that's been off for as long as I know. Thanks for the tips. Spot on mate 👌
Nearly everything you talked about I learned in my 7th grade woodshop class in 1972. As I do not use the saw that often it is imperative to practice and visualize the cut before ever turning on power. This video was a great refresher. Thank you.
This is an excellent analysis of using a table saw with safety. It is thorough, caring and intelligently narrated. I removed my guard on my small table saw so I can make longer cuts, but will be replacing it immediately after watching this video. Gosforth successfully imparts a sense of having a healthy respect for this power tool. Thank you.
Thank God I came across this video, I recently purchased a table saw and had no idea of the potential injuries that can occur if used improperly. Thank you for your time on making this important video
THANK YOU! This certainly isn't the only excellent video on table saw safety, but it does stand out. I appreciate the personal example, it drove the message home.
Hi Andy, I would not advocate standing side on to the saw simply because if something does go wrong you do not have immediate access to the stop button. As for sawstop saws, brilliant idea, I just worry they make you reliant on technology instead of common sense & training.
One rule that I have is no alcohol, not even a lunchtime shandy, and then into the workshop. Sounds obvious, but I have known people to assume that they are OK to drive so they are OK to use tools but, to my mind, both are zero alcohol limits.
The worst accident I have suffered was running de-nailed reclaimed timber through my saw (with no guard in place..It was only one cut, what could go wrong?) and I had missed something in the wood. I lost three carbide teeth from my blade and gained some lovely scars on my left forearm and cheek where some rather hot pieces came to rest. I was wearing eye protection thankfully! So another rule is that when using reclaimed timber I ALWAYS run a hand held metal detector over the wood.
Keep up the good work & keep posting.
I was fortunate. i stopped the saw as soon there were sparks. I am never going to run reclaimed timber on my saw
Robert, for things happening instantly, the access to the stop button is irrelevant, because it is not "immediate". Using the button is at least 100 if not 1000 times slower than a kickback. What makes the big difference is whether you are on the path of the flying piece or on the side.
Fortunately, I have the power switch on the wall behind me. A good observation nonetheless.
I agree. I don't like the fact the the waste is way out of reach and out of control.
What I did is also put a breaker switch on the wall which the table plugs into. These tablesaw will usually be required to be switched on with the on machine button but I also have an emergency breaker on a wall/table leg too.
Thank you for the excellent video!
I was fortunate in that I asked around and we had an experienced woodworker in our community who was more than happy to discuss tools with me and took me on a safety tour of his own shop. We are now close friends, and I am still using advice he gave me initially.
Partly thanks to that advice, my first major power tool purchase was not a table saw but a (second hand) band saw. I had a higher level of comfort with that machine and I learned a lot from using it. Definitely worth considering for people who might be like I was: interested in woodworking but with little or no experience using power tools larger than a cordless drill.
Wow - I can't thank you enough for this! I have no doubt that this video you made will save many of us from injury!
I've been using my Dewalt for a couple of years and (for safety reasons) just bought a new one to replace the aging machine. And now I'm planning for the delivery, including the making of a proper outfeed table. As Adam Coe said below, "You are absolutely never too experienced to get a refresher. . ." this is so important for us to keep in mind! I'm not very experienced but I am quite experienced at making mistakes - so I'm keeping up on the safety vids.
This video is truly a great thing for all of us!! I just subscribed and thank you so much!!
Very good 👍 information on safety. When it comes to a table saw you can't be to careful.
As someone who has only owned a table saw for less than two years and not used it on a regular basis, I always watch these safety videos. Yours has had a big impact showing even a professional can have a serious problem. I liked the idea of standing to the side whilst feed the wood, it had crossed my mind but was forgotten, now I’ve seen your video I’ll certainly try it. I think your video explains push sticks much better, as some people don’t like using the one supplied with the saw. Most manufacturers supply the exact same style for a good reason and you demonstrated that very well.
Another adage might be: "Use your table saw regularly. Practice beats ignorance every time."
As others have commented, excellent video and well worth 30 minutes. I'm an experienced amateur woodworker but safety is always foremost in my mind when using power tools especially the table saw. Even so, I learned much from your video. It was very well presented and contained important details of what can possibly go wrong and how to avoid accidents. The presentation and analysis of your kickback accident was invaluable. Thank you for sharing and explaining.
Thank you for this! My Dad warned me about an injury he had using one, and I was about to start a project that I felt would have needed a table saw. He told me about his injury, which had discouraged me from going out and renting a table saw for the project, and I was mulling it over. I then see this, and recognize that I have quite a few other tools that can do exactly what I need.
This is outstanding on so many points. I've been guilty of too many "short-cuts" and only by the grace of God, do I still have all my fingers and have avoided significant injury. Thank you, Gosforth.
I thought it was an excellent video! You explained and demonstrated how and what CAN happen in depth. I have just bought my first table saw at 74 years old, if I keep in mind your advice I will make it to 75 and beyond hopefully. Thanks for the good advice! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you very much for these hints! I am a self-made DIY guy and over a dozen of use table saw. Still, now I realize what the proper care is needed to using this type of machine. This is a principal video for us to follow! Thanks a lot!
I've been proudly using my grandfathers Craftsman table saw for years - no safety assists and have been hit only once by a very small kickback while building cabinets for 1st house.. Since I am now a grandfather myself it is time to upgrade. Thank you for explaining the process and breaking down what went horribly wrong. Your push stick explanation is worth the time spent alone - thanks a bundle!
Thanks for all the reminders, great video. As far as potential negatives to standing beside the saw instead of behind it, the first negative that comes to mind is that you are now far from the "off" switch if something does go awry. Maybe you could add a foot switch between the power source and the saw. I added a hip bump switch to my older cabinet saw. You could add a bump switch to the side of your DeWALT on witch you are standing. Just wire it in series so either switch could turn off the saw. (Of course you would have to have both switches turned on for the saw to work -- the final switch that you turn on would be the one where you are standing. Three-way switches would complicate the wiring since you could no longer use the saw's original switch and would void the warranty. My bump switch was purchased from Grizzly here in the US. ) Sorry to hear that you all can not use dado blades in the UK -- you can always bundle up your boards needing a dado cut and fly over here - we'd be glad to see you.
One very interesting tip is when retreiving a piece of wood resting on a roller after a cut it is possible to feed back the other piece back into the danger zone, you are the only one mentionning that on safety video. Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to male this video. It is one of the most important video I have seen on safety and a must-view for all woodworkers regardless of experience
Thanks for taking the time and effort to make this video. I’m sure it will impact the way a number of us will use our table saws from now on. Much appreciated.
Thanks very much for all this sound info. I especially appreciate the "passion" in your words.
I never knew the riving knife was so incredibly important. It definitely stays on now. Fantastic video, thanks.
THANK YOU for this safety video!!!
I just ordered a jobsite saw and I have no experience about using one at all. I am grateful for learning from all you tips, especially the one using the saw sideways. You probably have saved me some of my fingers.
Andy - quite simply, the best safety brief I've ever seen and I'm an 68 year old engineer (who's seen a few) who also owns a DW 745 with a few bruises. Thank you
Awesome video. You have hit upon some of the most significant safety points including using the blade sideways which is thought-provoking. The only thing we perhaps would require to overcome standing sideways is while using it for angle cut. As you have to hold the wood against the 'D' working towards the blade one cannot perhaps stay on the side. But definitely, there can be a solution. Appreciate your presentation and thank you for making this film.
Rehearsing the cut. Best bit of advice I got from you. I'm new to the table saw and the advice really works.
Great tips fella, I couldn’t agree more , I think knowing how not to use your tools is just as Important as know how to use them correctly 👍🏻 I have always said safety isn't a dirty word 👊
I've got a carpenter friend, 80 years old, 60 years as a carpenter. Just cut off three fingers on his table saw. Experience does not compensate for lack of concentration.
Sometimes shit just happens and it's outside of your control.
“Betty luv, would you mind fetching a sterile jar with ice into the workshop?”
Being 75 myself...the 80 yrs may have had a big effect on that outcome. Certainly hope it was the smallest amount of his 3 fingers and he can still use them!
I’ll say maybe an 80 year old shouldn’t be working on wood
As a Bus Driver there’s one very important factor and you mentioned it, “complacency”. I’m sure it has happened to all of us driving our car at one point, i.e. things we do ‘over and over’ can be boring and that is where you tend to drift off and that’s when you could make a mistake. Through my training as a bus driver at our meetings ‘complacency’ was mentioned as a reminder. Mainly because we’re up early mornings driving the same route day after day, so... with workshop tools you’ve got to stay on your toes every minute. In my experience routers can be just as dangerous. Great video.
Hi Mr. Gosforth, thank you very much for this this invaluable safety video. I'm a qualified and trained carpenter but I must confess, I'm guilty of most of the don'ts you have covered. I think I have just got to that overconfident and complacent point that I'm literally sweating watching this video; I can now see how it could all go horrible wrong! 'Mindfulness' is what comes to mind and you're right about other distractions while operating these machines - phones, music, etc. I'm well tuned in now. I think you may have just saved thousands of lives. Good day my friend.
Excellent! I took all the information you presented to heart (and mind!) I was just making a push stick for my table saw and revised the design, per your suggestion. Showing your accident took guts, and all viewers of your video benefit. Thank you so much!
I use a cable tie to tie my blade changing spanner to the plug end of the power cable. That way there's never any power available while my hands are inside the table. It's probably overkill for the table saw, but it's definitely worth doing with things like little edge trim routers that have switches that can be accidentally flipped while you're changing cutters.
I do exactly that with my angle grinders
Since i nearly lost 2 fingers 3 years ago, I've stopped using power tools whilst drunk.....honest.
Sorry, could you help me understand this? Thanks
@@Kooshad1 I believe he means if you zip tie your blade changing wrench to the plug end of the power cord you would have to unplug the power cord before you could use the wrench to change the blade.
I did this with the chuck key of my drill press.
Great video and thanks for sharing. I might suggest explaining how the intention of the riving knife is to prevent the kerf from closing on the back-side of the cut. Without it, the kerf can easily close behind the blade, binding it, and ultimately the work-piece is thrown back. The main purpose of the riving knife is to prevent this. In my view, understanding the "why" is important for making decisions based on good judgement.
Fantastic video and advice. I am a rookie with a table saw after years of only using hand tools. You have given me a boost of confidence with using my new table saw. Much appreciated!!
Very very insightful! Initially I thought it wasn’t that dangerous, but your breakdown of the scenario and what could have gone wrong was terrifying! Thank you for the video!!!
Close escape for the old crown jewels pal! My first table saw arrives today so i'm doing some youtube training before using it over the weekend. Thanks for sharing.
Haven't finished the video yet, but please for everyone here... Please take that first tip very seriously! I just experienced this exact issue with smaller piece of wood and I'm currently recovering from massive bruising on both my thumbs and my stomach. Not to mention the impact wounds, and cuts to two of my fingers. None of these cuts were from the blade, but actually from the piece of wood being launched at me and removing my skin on the way. Put that Knife back on every time! Never go without it!
Was using a Dado Blade prior to the accident and did not put the knife back on when I switched blades. It was terribly scary and I'm very lucky to still have all my fingers! It happens so fast, please be safe everyone!
I really like the tone of this video. Well done! This stuff needs to be hammered into people's heads over and over again.
I have just obtained a Table saw and find these instructions very good. I will keep looking as they appear. Thank you.
'Stumpynubs' (James Hamilton ) has just done a really good 5 part series on table saw basics - 'Table Saw Basics # 1 to 5' : he REALLY emphasizes the importance of riving knife and guard. Just watched all of those , some tips from The Newbie Woodworker (and others) before even starting serious work with my recently purchased DW745.
This is all excellent advice Andy and we woodworkers - hobbyist or professional - can't be too careful. Like the side-on approach. I've not seen it before. Great stuff !
Not sure if it was part of this series or if it was a separate video but one of his recent videos talks about setting the correct blade height. Basically., the blade height should be set such that the gullets of the blade just barely clears the top of the work piece. @StumpyNubs
I've been using a 745 fairly extensively as a hobbist for about a year now. I agree entirely about standing behind the fence when possible and I'm glad you covered that at the video's end. It's a way I edged 3" of pine laminate (blade fully extended) that I worked out as being the safest way of making the cut... When cutting plywood, I like to wear "grippy" winter type gloves as plywood has a tendency to be slippery otherwise . I use a roller for feeding longer material . My out-feed table is a card table--not very pro, but I don't see why anyone would want a roller for out-feed. I do like using a couple Micro-Jig Grippers push-blocks for many cuts as well as the supplied push stick for really narrow pieces. Also, since I don't make a living doing this, I will only use the table saw when I feel fully alert. Good pointer about using alternative tools whenever practical. Never understood why do cross cuts on the table saw that can be done on the miter saw. Interesting about Dados being near illegal in the UK.
Beware using workgloves with a table saw. Contact with the blade will catch the glove and pull your hand in.
I also agree with the other comment here, I have seen many videos on safety and gloves should never be worn. Due to the fact the blade just has to nick the cloth material and it will suck your hand right into the blade and where the blade would normally slice or nick your hand the glove cannot let go and your hand up to your wrist will be severely mangled. I would never use them working with any power tool where your hands are close to the impact area.
Just set up my table saw this evening and have watched many safety vids, however yours is the best by far. Thank you
Excellent points, you probably saved somebody’s life, if not a few digits. Thanks for teaching us all a thing or two!
Great video as usual thank you. I have felt that pain!!!. Can I also point out the danger of re sawing previously used timber. I had half of a hidden wooden dowel launched at me like a bullet in the stomach. For something so small the whelp, six inch bruise and pain was incredible. Once hurt by it you’re nerve defining goes for a while...
I had kickback 2 yrs ago and it took pointer finger, messed up ring finger and pinkie finger has 3 pins in knuckle. And that is with feather boards and push pads. So thanks for doing this video! Just need to keep people aware of always think through before doing anything.
Wait. Can we get an explanation? You say you had kick back while using featherboards and. Push blocks. That sounds almost impossible ......what happened? Z
@@mrkoolio8494 Well if you think nothings impossible it will get you at some point. It happened. The cause - All I heard was a click so if the magnet on the feather board slipped or I did see that the blade was missing a tooth so that might have been the trigger. I can show you my hand if you want - of course I don't need to prove it so you believe, but I sure do since it happened to me. Keep and be safe my friend.
Great video and love the tips. I agree 100% pick the right tool for the right job. Too often table saws are used for jobs better suited to other shop tools. For breaking down large panels, I prefer my track saw to the table saw even for fine cuts. It is quick to setup and does a better overall job. Thank you for all you are doing especially addressing the safety topci.
Thank you for this video. We spend so much time today reacting to things that we can't control, instead of focusing on the things that we can. Much appreciated.
I have the same saw but haven't actually used it yet so thanks for the saftey tips.
Great video really informative. 😁
It's a really nice saw. Love the fence. :)
About using it from the side, the only thing I'd be wary of is not being able to reach the off button if I need to abort a cut. Also, it might be worth explaining how to abort a cut safely. Otherwise, great video man :)
You have made The BEST video on table saw safety. This video link should be a required listing in all table saw manuals. Telling it like it is, saying it so that the mind can hear it. Thank you. I've been using a table saw for 15 years off and on; you are spot on. I definitely prefer to use a chop saw for well, uh, chop saw cuts not a table saw which is really designed for rip cuts.
I just bought my first table saw today. I've had no training on it, other than watching my wood working teacher using the one we had at school about 25 years ago. I know that one didn't have a riving knife, and we had to stand well back out of the way when he did. I've been watching lots of videos on TH-cam recently. Tomorrow, I'll be opening the box on my new piece of equipment, this video has reinforced some of the things that I'd been looking at safety wise. Love the one about not chopping wider than the board. I'm sure than the others will come in handy too, and I have no intention of not using a push stick.
I use grrr gripper push block as i find it easy to use wonder what your thoughts are on them
Great video bud fantastic info 🙋🙋🙋
Good information. I thought the knife part was just to hold the "safety" shield on, which I found to be problematic, and removed it all. I think I'll put the knife part back on. A helpful thing I've found, is to use an inline foot switch. In the situation where you feel its unsafe to go forward or go back, and you just want to hold steady and power down, you just slide your foot of the switch and don't have to let go of anything to reach for the power switch.
lalaland0417 I like the sound of that, I will be looking to get one before I use TS again
My dewalt saw you can literally just hit that stop switch with your knee. I do it just so it has become a habit so my hands are always securing the wood I just cut. But for an older saw that has a stop switch harder to get to an inline switch is a great idea
Definitely put the knife back on. Always use it.
Do you have a recommendation for a foot switch? That addresses the problem I have with working from the fence side.
@@fredeisele1895 I bought one from AliExpress (google Industrial Foot Operated Pedal Switch Footswitch). It is robust enough, has a 15A rating , but needs wiring . I used an off the shelf extension cord chopped and joined via the switch .
Thankyou. I have just bought my first table saw and have yet to turn it on. Your video is the best I've seen so far to instil a healthily realistic level of respect for this potentially deadly device. I agree with comments below that your humility is to be commended. Don't apologise for any aspect of this brilliant sharing of expertise and experience.
Brilliant information champ.
Thanks for taking the time to share all this information and reminding us all to work smart not fast.
I will share this video with my son when he is ready to use power tools. Also great that you added links to other videos with additional safety info 👍 Well done
Hands down the best table saw safety video on TH-cam. I learned a lot! Thank you!
Great video, made me rethink a couple of points. I would like to add a point close to my heart, the insert plate. Always make sure the insert plate is (exactly) flush with the table top. Mine was low on the out feed side, once and the piece I was cutting got snagged in the dip. Like a moron, I lifted the board a little to clear it and .....BANG..... I had two pieces of board flying at me. Not only did I risk serious injury or worse, I also lost an expensive board as somehow it managed to snap in two. I should have stopped the saw and reset the inert plate and then completed the cut. Have a safe weekend everyone.
This should be an annual refresher for all of us. I recently bought an impact resistant face shield and "catcher's apron" to save me from the 1% of situations that might occur. Sure, I don't use my table saw daily and I look silly in my gear, but saving my face and vital organs is more important than looking like a tool.
My friend i'm really thankfull you, i going to beein working for build my wooden house, and u probably could have beeing saved my life... i really take care of any suggestions in your video, and i thank you for the time you spent, this will surely saves more people from injuries or bad. THANKS! REALLY
I sometimes stand on the side of the fence when I know there's a higher risk of kickback, or to avoid having to lean over the table. I also recommend having several different types of push sticks and blocks to be used depending on the type of cut. I use MicroJig blocks a lot and have 3 configured differently.
I am having my first table saw delivered to me on Tuesday. I am pretty excited but I am not even going to turn that thing on until I have read the manual cover to cover. Right now with the way things are in the World, the last thing I need to do is end up in the ER at my local hospital due to a stupid injury that could have been easily avoided. One thing I will always do, is just raise the blade slightly above the surface of the board to be cut. This will avoid potential massive damage if an injury does occur. Also I have read NEVER try to cut a board without something like a push stick (actually two) if the cut is smaller than the width of your hand with outstretched fingers. This sounds like a pretty good rule.
Also here in the States we have a product called the Micro Jig. It is highly recommended by many woodworkers. I will probably order two for my own piece of mind. They are pretty expensive, but what is the price of a finger?
Great tutorial and information, thank you, and I will read the information on the links you have provided, thank you.
I have considered the Gripper as well. Steve Ramsey is a big fan, but they are a bit more expensive than my homemade push blocks.
Gregg Hernandez I have a Gripper block and it works great. You can easily make useful and safe push sticks also.
You can get imitations of the micro jig on eBay for at least half the price, so you can get two. It's just a plastic push block at the end of the day so the prices for the real thing are too crazy, led me to eBay. Just search for 3D push block.
Thanks for taking the trouble to make this video. There can never be enough reminders and this is one of the best.
Thank you so much for this video, i am very new in Wood work, i am self told, and have been building my own home workshop for home projects , after watching this i know i have been using the table saw so wrong i am surprise i haven’t hurt my self, you video is a life saver, thanks.
This video made me sick -- sick at all the things I've done wrong because I didn't know how to use the saw and didn't have anyone to show me. I inherited a pretty big table saw in the early nineties when my dad died, and I was in my early twenties and had never used the thing. Before TH-cam. My grandad was still alive but wasn't the one to ask: he had had both this thumbs stitched back on after table saw injuries. Over the years I would occasionally cut up old fence posts and scrap furniture, all the things it shouldn't be used for, just "making it up as I went along" as you put it. I think I made every mistake in the book, so I don't know I got away uninjured, although I had some close shaves. Maybe the fear helped, and the habit I gained of standing sideways on, as you mentioned near the end.
Thanks for showing me how it ought to be done.
James Rodgers k
Great advise, I've had kickback twice. Once as a broken window, the other was 2 days in hospital. Always think through the cut and the moment you have any doubts, just stop. The only thing I'd add, is never let a mate or neighbor borrow you table saw unless they are trained and experienced. You'll never forgive yourself
How did you have it twice? Didn't you learn from you first incident?
Just nonchalantly bought a table saw. After watching this, I think I’m sufficiently terrified. Thank you; instructions very clear.
Thank you for this video. I had a piece kick back on me yesterday and now I understand why. I was cutting a piece wider than it was long and not using the riven knife and blade guard. The short piece, which was by the guide, kicked back and struck me in the shoulder. I was not hurt as I was 1) using a very long push stick and 2) turned my shoulder away from the block of wood as I saw it coming. I will use my riven blade and guard from now on and use a different tool if I need to make that kind of cut in the future! I am very glad to hear you were not hurt but thank you so much for sharing your experience because I will work safer in the future!
My first table saw experience my heart was racing. I still go through a checklist to make sure im not going to get hurt. SAFETY FIRST. Thanks for the good video
I’m left handed and just stand to the right and use the left hand for rips unless I’m doing a panel. Works fine. I’ve always wondered why right handed people don’t do this with the fence on the left.
Great point!
Tony Basile that’s a good idea. I didn’t think that there is a left- and right-handed side...
Excellent safety video ! I will be buying my first table saw soon and I am glad I saw your video now so I need to get a safe pushstick at the same time.Thanks!
Thank you!! I just bought a saw and haven't used it yet. So glad I saw your video. Have a good understanding of safety now and why and how things can go wrong. And at least I have some confidence to turn it on and use it now. Your own video of that kickback was an eye-opener for me!! Glad you were OK.
Andy, you should check out the Microjig “Gripper”. It is a push stick/handle system that. I bought a two pack set and also use it with my jointer. I rarely use a push stick any more.
Ron
I agree that push block looks amazing, but at the same time it does put your hand directly above the spinning saw blade. The handle of course and the construction of the block keeps your hand above and protected...but yes, your hand is passing directly above the blade in most of that companies demo videos. That being said, yes i do want the "Gripper".
@@lexieharvey8186 I agree. The thing looks like a disaster waiting to happen. But it's gotten great reviews; somehow that over-the-blade hand position doesn't seem to be a problem with this design. (But I have no experience with it yet; just watched several videos and talked about it with friends who have one.)
Ron H I love the Micro Jig blocks...especially for dado cuts - The board feels much more secure and in proper position. It also allows me to stand off to the side (but still in front), but on the side where the power switch is.
I know a Gripper is pricey BUT If you are looking at purchasing a gripper, buy two.
The ability to move a piece with a gripper in both hands helps me control longer pieces. Even on smaller cuts I don't find myself leaning out over a saw.
"Don't lick or eat the saw while the blades running." I'll be laughing about that one for weeks!
That was a great comment! I laughed too :)
It’s ok to eat it when it’s not running
Excellent video. I bought my first Table Saw today and have been scouring the internet for quality safety and operation guides. I'm used to power tools but a table saw has an obvious possibility for serious injury. Thanks 👍
Thank you. I received training over 40 years ago, but haven't used a table saw for 20. I have always followed training advice to the letter, but having bought myself a table saw recently I have found myself copying unsafe practises from TH-cam videos against all my instincts. Your advice has come at a timely moment. Incidentally, I initially bought a cheap machine from a popular tool supplier here in the UK and was shocked to find how dangerous it was. I took it back and told them of my concerns, but I see they are still for sale. I subsequently settled for one at four times the price, and would still consider it to be the minimum spec for reasonable safety.
I use the throat plate as a “danger zone. No fingers or other body parts may cross into the danger zone. The one thing I always use my table saw for is ripping operations. I always assume the potential of kick back so position my body to be out of the way should kick back happen. It’s like when you see a train coming, stand to the side of the tracks😀
This is true with a lathe as well. I have been caught by pieces a couple times. Once while polishing up some copper inlay I did... sliced my hand up and bruised it. I still use the lathe, but I haven't tried more inlay since then. I did an analysis of what happened the glue held but the cedar broke loose in some spots and turned that wire into a whip until it broke loose of the bowl.