Cheap table-saw safety upgrade, and some honest talk about table-saw safety

I have been making some beautiful workshop accessories lately. This is not one of them, but it's so useful that maybe I'll make version two a little more flashy.
I feel pretty confident saying that most woodworkers are not nearly as safe as they should be in the workshop, and I'm one of them. I know that my tools can remove fingers and eyes, but I also know that my tools have not yet removed fingers nor eyes, so I don't lose a lot of sleep worrying about it. I've been fortunate to have had enough close calls that I know which situations are higher-risk, and therefore merit greater caution, but I don't step in to my workshop each day worried if my socks are going to melt if I touch a drill press with a faulty ground wire.
Sometimes when a safety-related incident occurs, assuming the personal injury was minimal, we're more concerned about the damage to whatever project we were working on at the time. Acknowledging the reality of workshop safety, I'm providing this video to give you a very inexpensive and not-at-all-inconvenient way of improving your safety around one of the most dangerous tools in the workshop: The table saw.
Please note that I am not advocating irresponsible behavior or a disregard for workshop safety; I'm just being honest about what I've seen and what I've done. I'm a firm believer that it's better to be safe than sorry, but I'm not always a practicing believer.
In case you need a hot glue gun:
DeWalt glue gun: amzn.to/3qYLHjc
Gorilla dual-temp mini glue gun: amzn.to/3wXWdII
DeWalt dual-temp (the one used in the video): www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Ce...
This video is not sponsored. I paid for everything and used my own time. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you use the Amazon links to make a purchase.

[@neilplumb1710]

Dude, it is so refreshing to hear someone else is a "safety third" guy. I'm all for being reasonably safe when working with power tools but I get really tired of people telling me I need to wrap myself in Kevlar with a scuba bell on to sand a board. Thank you or your honesty.

[@johnnichols8553]

After going thru my wife's ten eye surgeries, and now she can't drive at night, I wear my safety glasses more often than not. Now when I don't, I feel vulnerable. One time when applying clear polyurethane to something, which seemed harmless enough, I had a drop of poly flick off the brush right into my eye. It encountered my contact lens first, which I quickly pulled out and threw away. Luckily I had a spare, but it really made me take better care of my eyes.

[@KS-xz2rq]

I have started using the table saw as a beginner for both rip and cross cutting.And I have decided no matter what I will never use it without the blade guard and the riving knife.Cheers from India .

[@TheSnekkerShow]

That sounds like smart thinking. Even if you eventually advance to using table-saw sleds, it's still possible to add some clear polycarbonate to reduce the risk of personal injury.

[@chuckbadtke2332]

Finally, an honest perspective of all that I do in my own shop. Never lost a finger, but I also respect my table saw. My biggest issue is the propensity to get complacent. Great video. Thank you.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I figured it wasn't just me. Most of my injuries over the years have been caused by complacency or haste. The same holds true for driving as well. Those cars with the "student driver" signs usually go the speed limit and use turn signals - It's the "experienced" drivers that think they can eat lunch and check Facebook while they steer with their knees.

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

This was a great subject. I’ve been working on a table saw for 30 years and we can all get complacent. This was an excellent reminder with excellent tips. Busted a gut on the $3000 vs $50 co pay. If I might suggest the GRRR- RIPPER. It has a rubberized bottom that allows you to put pressure against the fence. I got one and absolutely love. NOT SPONSORED. Be safe, keep fingers.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Thanks for the feedback, and I completely agree. To clarify my comments, the GRR-RIPPER looks like a great invention, and I'll probably own one eventually. I've also been thinking about improving the filtration in my ceiling-mounted Jet air cleaner, buying some Kevlar gloves for carving, and investing in some amputation-resistant chaps for my 91cc chainsaw. I recently upgraded my face shield for lathe work, so I'm getting there.

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

@@TheSnekkerShow about the gripper, I wasn’t sure if you mentioned it or not. (Yes I was paying attention and then I got a call……… from a scammer of course. Sorry if you already covered it. About the chaps, don’t use a chain saw without them. Get the jacket too. I was using my neighbours Husqvarna and he lent me his chaps. I wasn’t being careful and it bite those chaps not me. Cheers

[@quietinspirationcreations3448]

@@TheSnekkerShow oh my, I was with you until the chainsaw comment, and don't get me wrong, I have cut a few limbs without the chainsaw pants and am guilty of most of the faux-pas in this video. Buuut... I also watched a man cleaning up his yard after a hurricane (who had been using a chainsaw for over 40 years), put his 20" bar through his thigh to the bone, chainsaw pants cost about the same as your co-pay, and legs bleed more than fingers! Oh' and chainsaws leave knarly scars!

[@TheSnekkerShow]

@@quietinspirationcreations3448 I certainly don't disagree. Even cheap chaps would be better than nothing. I'm guessing that most chainsaw owners don't own chaps, and many of those who strongly recommend them only do so after seeing some preventable carnage. I haven't bought any yet, but I find myself being a lot more cautious with the bigger saw. I even picked up a smaller battery-powered chainsaw for cutting limbs, because I don't have a good face screen either.

[@quietinspirationcreations3448]

@@TheSnekkerShow Completely agree, and realistically, if we bought all the safety equipment for a specific tool at the time we purchased the tool, we'd have a lot fewer tools making it difficult to pay for anything, it's a slippery slope! Cheers!

[@Danko88]

you could make a flip down out feed table so when done cutting you can still walk to the other side. I used to have this setup worked great and stops the reach around :)

[@AndyJSThomson]

I’ve been using a similar contractor saw for years and also ditched the terrible guard that came with it. However, I have now made my own riving knife system that rises and falls with the blade and has definitely improved my cuts. The one rule I never break though is “If the blade isn’t cutting it isn’t running”. It’s amazing how many KZbin woodworkers leave their saw running while moving wood around on the table or talking to camera (and therefore not paying attention to the blade). I also added a wide hinged paddle across the front of my saw that rests against the stop switch. Simply reaching down anywhere allows you to stop the saw without having to look or simply tap it with you knee.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

That sounds like a smart improvement. If you have any pictures or videos online, post a link.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

@AndyThompson I don't know what's going on with KZbin comments lately. I posted an Instagram link in a reply on someone else's channel, and that got blocked too. The odd thing is, I received an email notification with your second comment, but neither appears in the "held for review" section of the channel. This is the link from the email notification - Maybe it will let me post it: instagram.com/p/CWf1DAQoXNrXCGAgRMLsEAoMbRpDqUmQjguMOw0/

[@Ritalie]

I am a novice wood worker and wondering if I should buy a belt drive small jointer. I don't have a planer yet. But a man is offering me a like new Craftsman jointer, I think it's probably a 4" jointer, for $100. I am not sure if I've got the courage to use a jointer. Have you considered making a video on jointers? I think it would be really helpful with your level of precision and detail.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

A jointer is a nice tool to have, but I did woodworking for at least ten years before owning one. Even now with a dedicated 6" jointer, I often need to flatten things wider than that. My first jointer was a block plane, and later I made a simple jointer fence for my home-made router table for edge jointing. The router is arguably the most versatile tool in a woodworking shop, and with the right jigs, can function as a table saw, jointer, and thickness planer. Bottom line: Buy it if you can rationalize the expense, space, and need, but if any of those are limited, there are other ways of achieving the same outcomes.

[@ImaginethenMake]

Thank you you honesty. I have used table saws for years and thankfully have never had a serious accident. But I also always used a blade guard and riving knife. Some time ago, I decided to get rid of my table saws and use a circular saw with a guide because I think it is safer especially when I'm tired and not paying attention as closely as I should be. Taking that even a step farther, I've also moved toward using hand tools more often. I have often wondered why table saws do not commonly have motorized drive rollers (similar to a thickness planer) to push/pull the wood through the blade keeping the operators hands very far away from the blade (like a planer). I have seen some guys build there own mostly to partially automate the cutting of many boards. It has been interesting to see that the very old school radial arm saws are not made anymore (as far I know) and have been basically replaced with miter/sliding miter saws (with built-in, non-removeable, big, blade guards). Stay safe in the shop.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Smart thinking. I first used a panel saw when I was around 16, and ever since then I've thought about building one. One of these days I'll build a feed system using a cordless drill for power. Do you have any recommendations for videos or tutorials?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Also, I was previously the owner of a 10" and a 12" Dewalt radial arm saw. One of my queued future videos includes confessions of workshop stupidity, and those saws are mentioned.

[@ImaginethenMake]

@@TheSnekkerShow For some ideas about power feeders for a table saw, just search from within KZbin, "motorized feeder for table saw". Lots of videos will come up including DIY feeders.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

I have the big brother to your saw the 4512 and it does have a riving knife, I will not use a saw with out one after I had a kick back one day with a saw that was not mine. I was cutting 8 quarter Cherry and the blade pinched the cherry and kicked it back at my face. I was wearing safety glasses. and I saw stars and no pain! I turned the saw off. went to the bathroom expecting to see mush for my face. I was in Shock I will admit and that is why I did not feel any pain. I was extremely lucky the safety glasses took the brunt of the hit. I have been down that road of Trauma before being a survivor of an airplane crash as a passenger. Then a motor Cycle accident where I got a helicopter ride from Hatteras to Elizbeth City! Then on the Chesapeake Bay I was on a boat fishing at night that the transom broke and sank, this was all in the early 80's You bet I pay attention to safety now. I just happen to be at the right place at the wrong time! Back to That push block slipping! I can not say about your push block, however if someone has the Gripper and it starts to slip clean the pad with Denatured Alcohol and the grip comes back. Blade guard? I think I have one of those but it has never been installed on my saw! If you keeper your parts away from the blade Life will be much better. Plan your cuts and think about what can go wrong! that will sever you well!

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Solid advice. This is actually one of the reasons that I like having a mid-range saw, at least as far as power goes. I've had boards pinch on this saw before, and I was able to hold them in place long enough to bump the power switch, while I listened to the belt squeal. If it was a 3hp saw, or a portable saw with a universal motor, the kick would have been more violent. This is also why I prefer the longer push block to one of the fish-head style push sticks - I can apply downward pressure on the face of the board rather than just on the front corner.

[@johngalanes5264]

I appreciate your honesty. What about adding some hot glue to the bottom of your plastic push block to improve traction?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

You might be on to something.

[@woodshopnerdery]

Great video, really enjoyed it. Agree with everything you said. It boils down to knowing the safety suggestions is different from having the state of mind and discipline to execute them every single time. I am guilty of all the same lapses you mentioned, although I still have a goal to do it properly and I am getting closer to that goal. If the grippy stuff on your orange push stick is slipping, could it be that a layer of wood resin has built up on it? This happens to my GRR-RIPPERS from time to time. I just wipe them down with denatured alcohol to make them grippy as new. I have 2 GRR-RIPPERS. In my opinion I have reduced my risk related to injury for those cuts where its not possible to use a blade guard. AND I have improved my rip cuts to glue joint ready quality (not withstanding a good blade and proper saw alignment). The 2nd GRR-RIPPER allows for a hand over hand operation for a very smooth feed rate which is critical for glue joints on very long boards. Also, this eliminates totally the risks associated with operating my jointer, because I don't need to use it in these cases. If you happen to live in the Chicago are, I would be happy to lend you my GRR-RIPPERs to try out. I don't have anything in the next month or so that would call for them anyway.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Man, the first two comments are GRR-RIPPER fans; I should probably just get one. I think my old push stick was just old, and the plastic hardened over time. On your suggestion though, I wiped it off with alcohol and noticed a very slight improvement. Then I scuffed it lightly with sandpaper and maybe improved it a little more. I should probably just hot-glue it and hold it flat on some parchment paper until it cools.

[@chrisonly2]

Yes!!! Buy a gripper…this is a great tool for many types of cuts.

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

HA! I saw this stick in one of your other videos and wondered what was on the tip of it.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

And it's still holding up great two years later.

[@tonyc7352]

When the glorious day comes and you own a SawStop, will you keep the riving knife on?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Riving knife, yes. It's the splitter with overhead guard that gets in the way.

[@gregwitkamp5583]

well said

[@VinceEspositoJr]

I wonder how Plasti Dip would work for making push sticks...

[@richardflorence3927]

Power tools with tables seem to be the biggest source of complacency.. particularly saws. Table saw, miter saw, band saw. But also router tables. I try to make it a set rule for myself to reach for the switch as soon as the cutting is done with (and the work piece secure). Its worth the extra 2 seconds to prevent accidents. Focus and attention to detail. If you're not focused, take a break. 😎

[@TheSnekkerShow]

That's a smart practice. I normally do that anyway, but I'm especially more cautious around power tools when I'm listening to something with my Bluetooth hearing protection. It can be difficult to hear if a machine is still running.

[@richardflorence3927]

@@TheSnekkerShow i hear ya.. pun not intentional

[@crashkg]

I was wondering how you keep your Rigid fence parallel to the blade. My Rigid fence is completely random. Some times I clamp it down its shifted away from the blade, sometimes towards the blade (much more dangerous). I have tried some aftermarket pads that are bigger, I have tried pushing in the fence towards the tablesaw as I lock it down. I still get too many inconsistencies to trust it. If you have any tips they would be greatly appreciated.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I haven't had to do anything special with mine other than tighten the four hex bolts on either side of the locking mechanism in the front. There's also something in the back to adjust how tight it gets when you push down the locking mechanism.

[@michaelkeymont501]

I took off 1 finger tip at the table saw, another at the miter saw and most of the side of my thumb on a mandolin slicer. I also had a PT 4x4 fall off the miter saw and COMPLETELY remove my big toe nail. Kids, you’ll survive if you get a finger chopped on one of these saws. You WILL live. However, you will not be doing anything useful with that finger, or the hand it is attached to, for about 3 weeks, depending on severity. Many months if it is really bad. I’m happy to share the stories of my own stupidity if it helps even one person to go out of their way to avoid repeating my mistakes. FWIW, if you DO happen to get bit, get you some frankencense and apply it to the area of the would several times per day. It WILL speed up the healing process by a significant and measurable amount. EDIT: No, they do not “sew your finger tip back on”. Not possible. It will grow back on its own, like new.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Good words of wisdom. On a related subject, I've had somewhere around 40 stitches in my lifetime, and I eventually just started using electrical tape to hold things together. Many years later, the medical community started to catch up with that scar-reducing approach. Funny thing is, none of the stitched injuries were from electrical devices; only hand-held tools or other accidents.

[@michaelkeymont501]

@@TheSnekkerShow LOL - I got 6 stitches on the business end of my manhood when I was a little kid... I’m married to a nurse now, at least until January when she will be fired for refusing the vaxx... she closes my wounds for me now...

[@richardflorence3927]

@@michaelkeymont501 I'm not even sure I want to ask about the stitches... 🤣

[@michaelkeymont501]

@@richardflorence3927 too late! Bike accident. My older brother jumped out in front of me and I went almost over the handle bars. I would have just gone over had my junk not gotten hooked on the handle bar bolt... I actually had to wear a little cast for 2 weeks while the stitches dissolved... I still remember the nurses holding me down while the doctor stitched... PTSD.... ;)

[@richardflorence3927]

@@michaelkeymont501 🤪

[@danasmith8950]

Working hard the first 5 minutes to get a badge for all the things he knows he should do but doesn't.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

There's a badge? I'd probably get a trophy talking about what I used to do with my 12" radial arm saw.

[@danasmith8950]

@@TheSnekkerShow Oh yeah. And there's one for sense of humor too!