Nice video. I'd be interested whether you think there's a correlation between experience and injury rate. I suspect that most accidents with these things happen to medium-experienced woodworkers who get complacent / careless. The first few times you turn on a table saw you KNOW it's really dangerous. After a few hundred cuts you start to forget that, and that's when you get hurt.
That's an interesting question. I think in the beginning, there's a safety learning curve where it's important to at least understand what can potentially happen and how to avoid injuries. With a solid base, you are probably hyper-aware of everything you do. Then as you get more time in, it's easy to get complacent. You might be right: that medium-experienced zone is probably the most dangerous time. That said, plenty of injuries happen to experienced woodworkers. We might be well aware of safe procedures and do everything right, but one moment of losing focus can lead to an injury. It's the very definition of an accident. Kind of like how you can drive a car for years but still space out and run a stop sign. I strongly believe in making dry-runs a habit. I honestly, seriously do this all the time. There have been procedures where I've made dry-runs and just didn't feel 100% confident. That's when I know I need to come up with a different strategy for making the cut. I'd love to hear what other people have to say about this question!
I think the more experienced get hurt more often. I know this from experience lol. I feel that the more wood working you do the more you get into "the zone" and start letting your guard down because it starts becoming like second nature. That's all it takes then, bam, you get hurt.
You can get injured regardless of your level of experience. When you're starting out, you make mistakes due to lack of knowledge. When you have some experience, you get complacent and lose focus for an instant and have an accident that way. Then you get lots of experience, you start to thing that the rules don't apply to you, and again... an accident.
I just got a table saw and from first cut to the last one i did i did a dry-run and i always will be. Thank you so much for making this video! I'd like to keep my fingers and hands!
"Don't fear that power, but always respect it". Great nugget of wisdom, Steve. Applicable to other aspects of life, not just woodworking. I love your videos.
AWESOME video. I recently bought a craftsman 8 1/4" table saw and learned more in your 13:17 video than a month of watching videos on the correct way to use it. THANK YOU SO MUCH for explaining it in layman's terms and not given a 30-minute lecture on your life before getting to the actual part on using the table saw. this video was straight to the point and I now feel comfortable in using my machine safely thank you again
Steve, your videos are truly in a class of their own. Packed with relevant information and very fun to watch - with a positive attitude from start to finish. You will get my vote for the title planet earth's first ambassador of woodworking.
I’m taking a construction class in my high school and this actually helped me a lot on how to work a table saw, thank you so much for this video and the help!
I absolutely love this! I'm almost 24 years-old, avid computer/office guy, but I've always loved getting my hands dirty and handsy. I worked at Home Depot as a stocker for a year and stocked everything imaginable including the heavy table saws, routers, sanders, blades, sand paper bands, etc. I've thought about doing woodwork for years but never seriously considered it. But now as I have a very nice job with an above average income and a yearn to get away from the computer, I plan on investing $1,000 to $1,500 into the equipment he listed as well as tools, materials and etc. I want to start small and steady and advance and make furniture as a hobby, for family/gifts and possibly to sell! These videos are astounding and I plan on following all of them - thank you for this video, it was great to find your channel!
Hey man! I’m a 13 year old, with your help I started woodworking with just Leftover wood from home refurnishing Cheap chisel Cheap hammer Electric sander Some 4 dollar clamps from Walmart. This just goes to show how much you can make with so little, and such good of a teacher! Stay safe!
So many videos touch on safety but only as an after thought. As a beginner I am so grateful this video focused on safety alone. I would love to see a series of safety videos for all power tools if you havent done it already. You do them very well! Thanks
Superb video. I’m an old guy who has recently bought a table saw and soon realised how dangerous they are so taking it slowly. These tips are brill ! Thanks George U.K.
Steve: seeing one of your recent posts, I’m a bit bummed. You don’t give yourself enough credit. Perhaps you’ve been immersed in this for awhile and can’t see the forest for the trees. You are literally one of, if not THE best RU-vidr in your category. The video quality, sound and camera angles are absolutely on point. Your confidence is comforting and your experience is super obvious. Keep on making videos man. I look forward to all of them.
Echoed - I'm doing my own floors for the first time and just sent a link to the video to my sister saying how helpful, useful, and well thought out it was. Especially the planning and doing a dry run. Thank you for your videos
Thanks ! for the refresher .... I’m an experienced table saw owner ... never hurts to go over good safety instruction and keep your ten fingers and your two eyes ..
Its nice to see you making these "basic" videos again. There really hasn't been anything else out there as detailed and straight forward as your videos. As a beginner, I can't tell you how empowering and confident your videos have made me feel over the years. I have completed more than I ever believed I could and I have you to thank for that.
@@johntaylor1359 I’ve found a guard more troublesome than helpful for accurate woodworking to be honest. I still use my riving knife, but I’ve cut off the top that attaches to the guard, so I can do rabbets and groves with it still in place.
I work with my tools very infrequently, so I like reviewing these kinds of videos before I start on any project. You're helping me stay safe and professional. Thank you for your time and effort, it does a lot of good!
just made a cross cut with a rip fence and got a stern lesson that I should probably learn how to operate a tool before operating it... who would've thought?
Literally every part of this video spoke to me from finally jumping in after watching videos to being startled by the sound. I really appreciated learning the tips about imagining your cut and watching the rip fence and board rather than the blade. I think these tips will help alleviate some of the fear I still have towards the tool ! Everything was so well explained too, coming from a beginners perspective!
50yrs old single and decided I want to make a gazebo! Designed it myself, have all my measurements all my wood bought a used table saw and now thanks to you I'm going to go make my first cut! I will be power watching all your video's starting tonight! Thanks
Just want to give credit where it’s due. Thank you so much for all your woodworking/safety videos. Calm voice and presentation with tons of info. I really cannot thank you enough. I hope all is well and thank you !
Steve, I hope you read this because I just wanted to say you have single handedly encouraged me to get in to wood working. The way you explain things and your walkthrough is simply amazing. The learning curve was so great and the tools and equipment was so intimidating. That is, until I found your page. Thank you so much, Steve. I am building night stands this weekend and I couldn't have gotten to my current skill level without your encouragement. I never comment on videos but I wanted to let you know my deep appreciation for your passion and the time you take on your videos to help people like me. Please, keep making your videos because there are thousands of people out there like me that need these videos to teach and encourage.
I need this. I have had a table saw, in a box for 3 years. Scared to open it up. LOL Had a kick back years ago and it scared the heck out of me. Last time I ever used the table saw. Time to be brave!
I had a similar experience about 8 years ago when I first started using a table saw... but that’s because no one taught me how to properly use it! Kickback is actually very easy to prevent, even without a riving knife (although that will certainly help). Some tips: 1) Make sure your blade is spinning at maximum rotation before you try to push material through. 2) For rip cuts, expect the blade to want to push material towards you. Your job is to provide resistance to that movement as you move the material against the spin. This is a very nuanced dance as pushing too much or too little can be dangerous. Kickback can sometimes occur when you try to push material through but you aren’t providing ample resistance with your right hand as you push. This takes a little practice because it’s kind of a “feel” thing. It is nerve racking the first few times, but as long as proper resistance is there, it will not kickback. 3) Make sure you are maintaining a steady pressure into the fence as you rip material. The material will not naturally travel through the blade in a straight line and if it wavers too much, the pieces can pinch the blade, causing kickback. The table saw will work with you but only when you keep your material locked into your fence. 4) Push material into the fence beneath the blade (closer to you). Avoid pushing material against the blade as this can also create a pinch that might cause kickback. 5). Never ever pivot material as it goes through the teeth of the blade. Always keep your material pushed up against your fence and as straight as possible. 6) This one is the least intuitive, but incredibly useful. Keep calm and (as long as your hands are clear from the blade) you can actually stop moving material while maintaining resistance in both directions (against the teeth and against the fence). You can hold material still as the blade spins in the middle of a cut and, if you are applying enough resistance, It should remain still. This is a great default if you are feeling overwhelmed mid cut. It should also enable you to turn off the power as the blade only kicks back if it’s meeting resistance. Keep watching table saw videos to get a better idea of how to position your body and learn technique. Good luck!
I’m fairly new to woodworking and just bought my first table saw. I greatly appreciate that this video was made and is still available to watch. It’s a great way to review the safety precautions I should be taking.
My Son in Law gave me his table saw and he explained to me how to use it (but I needed a refresher and I found your video and I'm so glad I did. I watched a few videos and yours is the best, you explained what side to cut and how to line it up and all the safety tips. Thank You!
I got interested in woodworking about 6 months ago. I had wanted some custom organizer boxes for my kitchen drawers, and the cabinet store wanted my firstborn and a kidney for them. I thought it coul8be THAT hard to build a simple box...and that is how I found your video about building a wood box! You made the idea of woodworking something attainable, even for me, who hadn't ever used a drill, much less a saw! I've spent the last 6 months reading and learning everything I could, and have done a few super simple projects that I could accomplish with just the circular saw. And have really found a sense of pride and accomplishment and just PEACE working in the garage. Thank you.
Great tip to imagine the cut before making it. Whenever cutting long heavy stock I like to do a practice run with the saw off and the blade down. I want to know ahead of time if I'm going run out of outfeed space or if something is going to get unstable during the cut. If so, make it right and do another practice run!
Hey my name is victor I know this is long but I'm new to all this I'm 55 and been a wood worker since I was 11 years old I've built all kinds of things including homes from rehab to new construction its nice to see that our trade is not dead everyone wants to buy everything premade these days it drives me crazy ....in philly I'm known as the guy u go to for all your custom work stairs, handrails and such oh from scratch non of.that prefab stuff I started making a video on hum ow to build a powder room but my camera man quit on me and was not able to finish the video ,I'm going to learn how to do it myself .if u want u can look at it its victors powder room on utube just not finished anyway I really love your site and look forward to seeing more of u.
"Imagine the cut you're about to make... make it a habit." I remember the first time I watched one of your videos when you mentioned this. I've followed it since, and it's now just part of my workflow: dry run before the saw goes on. In another video (maybe that same one), you said something along the lines of "if it doesn't feel safe, don't do it." I do this as well as part of that dry run. I'm more than two years into this woodworking journey and can't seem to learn enough. Thanks Steve!
This video came in perfect timing! I just got my first table saw this week and I’m going to be using it this weekend. I was really intimidated by it, but I feel a bit more confident after watching this video. Thanks!
Remember the dry-runs! When i did it for my first cut there were several potentially disastrous things i noticed! A habit im starting after watching stumpy nubs accident is to have my cell phone on a table so i can at least call emergency number. Not easy pulling a phone out of your pocket with two fingers while also bleeding...
I've been a wood working hobbyist for awhile now (I'm no expert) and I gained a lot of my skills from watching your videos. I enjoy rerunning the basics from time to time as a refresher. Thanks for all you do.
This is exactly the kind of video series I’d love to watch more of! It’s really great to get a better guide for absolute beginners. One change I would like to see you make for future versions of this is to slow down your presentation in the first half, and also to get a bit more detailed (or maybe more visual guides like graphical overlays) when giving terminology. I myself am very new to this hobby and loved this video. Can’t wait to see more like it from you.
I just bought my first table saw on friday and made my first cuts today. Yesterday I put it together and got it all setup, well mostly but that's another story. Today I just made my first cuts using 12mm (yep, I'm metric, sorry) MDF, ripping it down to 300mm by 180mm. The cuts went extremely well, not perfect but that I think is more about my skill than the saw. Having watched this and a load of other youtube content, I felt confident that I knew what the parts of the saw are, why they are they and how to use them. In addition I've been watching safety videos and can understand the safety aspects of the saw. Thank you for putting this content up, as it has helped me greatly.
Steve, I've been binge watching all your videos and I literally JUST bought a table saw today, perfect timing! I know you have another table saw video but this really broke it down and explained every aspect to getting started and I really appreciate it! Your videos are great and I've very excited to start working on some of my own projects!
Mr. Steve Rumsey, i have watched lot of your videos and have learnt lot of woodworking tips and guidelines as woodworking is one of my favourite hobby. I consider you my virtual teacher and have great respect for you. God bless you. Thanks
Great video! For the part where you demonstrate usage of the push sticks, it should probably be explicitly mentioned that the the 2nd push stick you use (with your left hand) shouldn't exert pressure towards the blade on the piece you're cutting. Last thing you'd want is for it to bind with the blade.
Love your videos !! Definitely giving me alot more confidence on using the table saw for the first time ! I've been using a circular saw for every cut which hasn't been the easiest for a first timer! Thanks again!!
I had a tablesaw injury this week and it was from a hazard that is not mentioned often. I was swapping blades. The saw was unplugged. I had removed the blade and set it aside. I was reaching into the saw to clean some of the build-up of sawdust. I cut my arm on the sharp edge of the table casting. It was a minor cut, but it could have been worse. Remember that the internal parts may have sharp edges.
Just bought a table saw, no prior experience! This basic video should be required to buy one! It answered almost every question I had, and stopped me from making several mistakes I would have made, possibly causing injury!!
Thank you for the videos! Because of you, I've taken the leap into woodworking. Appreciate the REAL candid advice. Amazing how you still remember how it feels to be a newbie and how table saws can be intimidating. I feel much more comfortable after watching your videos (over and over) :)
I love this guy. Great instructor. I love when folks are masters at their craft but eager to spread safety and knowledge. Thank you for all your videos. I appreciate you spending hours editing and taking time to help folks like me learn more.
I just started my woodworking journey, and knowing nothing I have been super thoughtful in everything I am doing. HOWEVER, I literally made every mistake you outlined. I am so thankful I found you and plan to full watch every video you have before I go about making anything else. THANK YOU!
Steve, I spent much of 2020 watching wood working videos and you figured prominently. I recently bought a table saw and I just wanted to thank you for this particular video because of your empathetic observation that newbies would find the table saw intimidating...yes, just turning the thing on & hearing the noise for the first time grabs your attention. Visualizing the cut & hand placement is great advice. I'm now cutting away confidently, ever respectful of the saw. Thank you!
THANK YOU. I am exactly the person you described. Did a bit of woodworking with my dad over the years but nothing super intense, and we never had a table saw. Bought a jobsite saw a couple of days ago after watching woodworking videos for several months, and went out to make my first cuts (building a work bench to hold said saw) and made a couple of serious-ish mistakes and scared myself a little bit, despite reading the manual thoroughly and believing I had an understanding of what I was doing. Made a bunch of cross cuts using the fence rather than the miter gauge and while nothing bad happened, there were a couple of cuts that had me a little concerned. 100 percent learned my lesson and a cross cut sled as well as some version of that Grripper I think are in my immediate future. Appreciate your time my friend
So, I had been using hand tools and circle saw for some time (including mounting under a table). I purchased a table saw and have been trying all sorts of intricacies since...including youtube vids. WW4MM is my #1 instruction channel thus far. Well done sir.
Okay, how did you know that I just bought my first table saw two days ago and set it up?! I have also been watching your videos over and over again for at least two years and have learned so much. I even bought your weekend class. I haven't plugged it in yet because I am a little afraid of it. I did add the guard as well as the anti kick thingy. My Gripper came yesterday but I haven't assembled it yet. Perfect timing on this video! I needed that boost of encouragement. Thanks Steve!
Janine Lew I’ve only got an impact driver and drill made by dewalt, but i can’t wait to grow my collection. Wow, you’ve got quite the collection. Have you made any videos with them yet?
Hey Steve, You're a hell of a teacher, happened to preach woodworking. Can't get enough of your tips, and in my favorite home depo, when picking up stuff, or doing some hobby woodworking, I whisper your words. Thanks a million for doing this
Great video, Steve! I just bought my first table saw today and this video gives me some confidence- I especially appreciate the recommendation to visualize each cut. Keep up the great work!
This is exactly what I needed. I'm left handed and my uncle saw me cut wood on the table saw and he said, "WHOAH!" I learned my body placement was very dangerous.
I'm left handed as well. I don't have a table saw yet. I'm close buying one (already for years). From time to time I use an upside-down mounted circular saw but as Steve says, it's far from ideal. I still don't know if I should try to learn to use a table saw (when I finally will have one) as a left-hander or as a right hander. I'm 100% left handed. With my right hand I'm not able to write, open jars, use a knife or any one-hand-operated handtools such as a hammer, screw-driver, wrench or whatsoever.
@@hansdegroot8549 Same here. I was reading that moving the fence to the other side of the blade can help. Since I share the table saw with right handed folks this really isn't an easy option. Oh well, something will work out. Have a good one
Depending on your saw, you may have the option to mount the Rip Fence on the left and use the Mitre on the right (although, from what I've seen, most saws that allow the fence on the left have less rip-width available compared to the right)... this may allow you to use your saw comfortably and safely without right-handed conventions...
with all the videos and RU-vid rs , I can honestly say your information i remember the most. you have a talent teaching without making it boring or too complicated. I had to subscribe
Thank you for this. I always wanted to do woodworking, but when I was young, girls were not allowed. As a result, i have been intimidated to learn. I built electronic circuits, to my parents dismay, but never owned the tools to do woodworking until now. My ex-boyfriend was teaching me, but he got cancer and died. Thank you for making these videos!
Word if advice to beginners, you can watch these types of videos until you're blue in the face, and they are clear as rain, but when you set up your table saw for the first time and make your very first cut, it can be easy to forget or miss-remember what you learned, so really watch these again right before your first cut. I'm at fault for this, I've wanted a table saw for months and after watching countless videos like this I got one for Xmas. I thought I was doing everything right but my very first cut (which was a cross cut on a scrap of cedar) ended up being a kick back because I made the mistake shown at 6:03. My memory said this setup was ok when in fact I had forgotten the part of first adding a stop block to the fence. I didn't even see or hear the kickback, and found the missing piece minutes later after searching. Fortunately since I was standing to the side behind the miter gauge it didn't hit me. Mentally fact checking the cut before you do it really is great advice, as the change in environment going from a computer screen to real world can affect you.
Steve, have you/can you do a video about improving a table saw, miter saw, router, etc station ie building a fence, jig, slide, or whatever that makes your woodworking experience so much better?
The first thing I built with my table saw was a crosscut sled. The second thing I built was a 45-degree sled. (FWIW: I used plans from the website Family Handyman.)
Great video! I am probably the target audience for this video: I have a table saw, but have used it only a handful of times. Thank you for clarifying that the workpiece is between the saw and the fence. Also double thank you for saying to leave your pieces be until the blade is done spinning - these little details often don't get discussed in woodworking videos. I think you have convinced me to get a GRRIPPER - it just looked SO EASY with the tool vs supplying forward, inward, AND downward force the old fashioned way.
one tooth above the cut. alot of excess blade seems to reduce accuracy. also depends of the blade and what your cutting for combo blade and real wood i find it gives less tearout and burns.
I've often heard that you want the blade one tooth width higher than the wood. You get a smooth cut and the chips can clear the blade. However, in harder woods this can lead to burning because the teeth spend more time in the kerf. If your work is getting burn marks, try raising the blade a bit and see if you get better results.
If I cannot get the saw to turn off, should I use it to cut its own cord❓ (That happened. Not a stuck switch, but did not see where the cord was. Good thing I had a spare cord on hand)
Should I use my table saw to make exactly sized French fries, and if so, which is better for a push stick, a stalk of celery or a carrot? I ask because slicing bologna on the miter saw had some issues. FYI, bologna in a dust collector, well let's just say...........
Being able to turn off the saw without removing your hands from the workpiece is a great advantage. Should the saw start bogging down or the piece behaves oddly, you can quickly turn off the saw with your leg or knee and hopefully avoid an accident. Having to move your hands to turn off the saw can be dangerous and result in an accident
Thanks Steve! I've been getting into woodworking and have been doing all my projects with a circular saw and a router with no table. It worked but nothing was real precise. Always thought, "I need a table saw." Finally pulled the trigger and bought one. Got it home all excited to do some cutting, got it set up, read the manual, then went out and fired it up. "Whoa, this thing as some power!", I said out loud to myself. That's when I went in and found this video. Great! Have watched several of your other videos and always liked them, you explain everything so it's clearly understood. Now, after watching this video, I feel more confident and am ready to make my first cut. Thanks again!
Most of us have been there! I keep the block of wood (grenade) that was supposed to be "just one quick cut" near my saw as a reminder. My ribs thank me.
Get Me Out of Here why do some people take it off in the first place? Is their a certain cut that requires you take it off? But damn that sounds terrifying. The power they have took me a while to get used to. I can’t imagine that throwing something at you.
Best video I’ve seen so far because one of the first things he says is to use eye protection and ear protection AND he says to get a feel for how it sounds and turning it on and off. I agree 10000%!! It can be scary the first time you turn one on and hear the noise and see the blade. Get comfortable with that feeling!
Steve, You are one of the excellent but rare instructors who can teach without droning on and on but keep your students hanging on every word. Good thing you’re thin. You’d be able to walk through my shop. 😊
I get all heeby jeeby when I watch John Heisz's videos, he always just uses his fingers along his fence and as much experience as he has, I still just see him losing a couple of those fingers one day
You are the master of woodworking no doubt, I like your efforts and the teaching methods, I am not a professional woodworker but I am very fond of woodworking and want to make something, Thank you for providing me the best knowledge and video, Zafar from Quetta Pakistan
I just took the plunge and finally bought a table saw after watching videos of them for about a year. And yes, it is intimidating 😀 Perfect video, thanks Steve
While I’m used to working with power tools, I just recently purchased a Makita 2704 table saw for work that needs to be done around the house. This is a perfect refresher video, Thank you so much!
Good job 👍 demonstrating. Bought a new one in 1985. Just a hobby then and now. The rules for safety haven't changed. Still have ALL 10 fingers and never been gut punched by flying wood. If I were developing a video curriculum for Woodworkers this would be on the list.
As a machinist who is getting into hobby woodworking I love you envision or as I would call visualization. That is extremely important. It's been instilled into me. Plan the entire process first and act it out. This comes in handy when torch press fitting parts. Spending hours machining a part that needs to be heat press fit to where it will never come out makes you very aware of the entire process. Poor preparation can scrap an entire job.
just bought my 1st table saw, after years of wanting to upgrade from a handsaw. while i feel like a lot of this is common sense, i feel confident enough to use it now. thank you
