Top 21 Table Saw Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

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There are so many articles and places you can cite, and a lot of the time the numbers are conflicting. That said, these are the articles I ended up trusting the most and using.
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[@Devin_Perkins]

My saw is set up with my back to my garage door. One time last summer I was jamming through some rip cuts, turned around to grab another board, and my neighbor was standing at the door. He'd been there for 10 minutes, patiently waiting for me to turn around, because he didn't want me to kill and get hurt. Good neighbors are hard to find.

[@wittworks]

Wow. That's equally creepy and encouraging! We both know he just wanted some of your new walnut scraps.

[@wrongtown]

@@wittworks Sweet, sweet walnut 🤤

[@94Toyota]

If my wife hears power tools running she doesn’t come in the shop until they have stopped.

[@stephaniecovington8263]

Excellent!

[@jeffreystroman2811]

@@94Toyota because she comes over to my garage because my tool is silent, boom (I'm normally not vulgar but this was too obvious, c'mon man)

[@RyanPrescott]

"I've taught my wife and my kids, if they hear a power tool running in the garage, not to enter." *zip ties the drill trigger*

[@74KU]

This is why corded tools are best, you zip tie the trigger and plug them in using some of those socket timers.. Kick back, relax and drink beers.. all the while the whole shop turns on and off like someone is doing legit work inside! This one actually saved me 2 months of being around my family when all I needed to do was a single 2 inch weld..

[@beyondbackwater4933]

Alexa play Drop saw sound effect 10 hour loop

[@KPlainfeather08]

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 kzbin.infoUgkxXh-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.

[@ldgarnett777]

Kieth with the iconic “TOTAL BOAT BABAY” got me so good 😂

[@koenigcochran]

One of my biggest fears. The "I just crossed a line I can't come back from" is such a relatable sentiment when you have a horrible accident. I'm so glad to see that you seem to be doing really well

[@74KU]

It is okay, your workplace will replace you easily enough you really don't matter that much.

[@theshovelpasspodcast8751]

In my early 20s, I broke a few of these rules, came home tired after a night shift and wanted to get something done, didn't have a riving knife, because the mount was misaligned, made a cut, kicked back, had my hand where it shouldn't have been, and lost a finger. All it takes is once. It's easy make any number of these mistakes, some are easier than others. No one is perfect indefinitely. Always a great reminder. Great vid.

[@brandonv8721]

exact thing happened to my dad, except he was lucky enough to only have the side of his thumb taken off

[@richpeggyfranks490]

Thanks for this video. Last year, I had my first tablesaw injury after 49 years as as a hobbyist woodworker. I sliced the tip off the middle finger on my left hand. I had been cutting 126 slats to make 3 louvered doors. I got overly tired and hot and put my finger on top of the board to push it through instead of along the side. I had abandoned the push stick (too much trouble) and cut my finger on the 124th slat. Dumb, dumb, dumb. The tip was sewed back on, but now it doesn't have any feeling. I can no longer say I've never had an accident at the saw. Add me to the statistics. Thanks, again.

[@michaelgartner6663]

As a 30 year safety professional, I say well done and thank you for posting this. I have never had anyone tell me they were sorry that they worked safe, I have however, lost count of those that said they wished they had.

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

I've lost count of those who think they worked safe until the day they slipped up. Tablesaws are simply not to be used for 99% of the tasks people use them for.

[@jackofblades3998]

​@@whatilearnttoday5295 Is there any use for it other than cutting wooden planks straight

[@mihigyver]

well there are still alot of things missing.. like how to set up the parallel stop, or how to choose the right riving knive and how to ajust it and its wrong that a deep blade is allways safer... in the usa you should really consider to school that basic carpenter knowlege to every carpenter.. im not a safety professional but i have learned that in school.

[@am2dan]

There's no telling how may serious injuries you'll have prevented by publishing this. Many thanks! I never skip a safety video that shows up in my feed, and, boy, this was the granddaddy of them all for table saws. Edit: And thanks to all the content creators who contributed their own stories! I admire them for fessing up for the greater good to sometimes having done something that could be considered stupid.

[@wittworks]

Thank you 🙏. That was my goal.

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

Still telling people to use them, equipped with the knowledge that they're smart, safe and won't get hurt. People simply need to stop using tablesaws for most of the tasks they use them for.

[@daifeichu]

Being focused on the job at hand is key. About 5 years ago I was dealing with a few issues and wanted to get into the shop to take my mind off of things. Thing is, my mind was not focused on the table saw. Plus I was cutting a square piece that ended up flying back. Not hurt or any damage but realized I'm at best going to mess up the project I was doing and at worse hurt myself. I just shut off the saw and left the shop for another day when my mind was clear.

[@mortgooge8992]

I'm a beginner getting into woodworking and so many content creators make it look so easy and have such a casual attitude towards safety. I've seen multiple creators respond to comments basically making fun of people who make comments on their safety precautions (or lack thereof) Anyway I just started getting comfortable using my tablesaw, and cut the tip of my thumb nearly off about a week ago. I was so lucky. I wish I had seen this video and taken this sh*t more seriously, but so glad I learned my lesson and it wasn't worse!

[@noire1001]

Yeah I was about to say the same regarding content creators. I think KZbin has a responsibility to start demonetising videos that exhibit dangerous practises. We'll soon see the content creators drop the attitude with commenters and start using tools safely when money is on the line.

[@saulgoodman2018]

@@noire1001 There's these 2 Canadians, John, something, and home reno vision.. They constantly make fun of people when someone brought up safety, and they was using something in a very unsafe way. I've haven't watched another video from them since then.

[@elduderino4305]

I can't believe how I always seem to be the only person terrified of table saws. I have a full shop that has been pumping out furniture for 7 years with no table saw and my friends call me crazy because of it.

[@LordPhobos6502]

Not crazy. Every powertool is dangerous if mishandled. I have a circular saw but no table saw, and no intention of getting one.

[@jackofblades3998]

What do you use to cut wood then, a jigsaw? I just use a hacksaw cos I'm scared of the table saw as well

[@elduderino4305]

@@jackofblades3998 I have a band saw, miter saw, and a home made track saw but most of the time I use hand saws.

[@74KU]

@@jackofblades3998 I just poke about for dimensional lumber that is already at the size I need.. 110% safe! 34 years to make a chair but almost there!

[@joshashby2397]

Me too, man. The table saw scares me like no other tool in the shop.

[@chrisb2443]

It’s a shame SawStop are holding onto the patent for that technology and not sharing it with other brands. I get that’s business, but it would be an awesome feature that is mandatory on all saws, especially with statistics like that. I’m in the UK so can’t have a SawStop if I wanted one so I’ll have to continue with safe working practices. Thanks for all the advice 👍

[@WarPigstheHun]

Once the patent will expire, the markets will be flooded with sawstops variants. Every new DeWalt or Milwaukee table saw will have one built in or give you the option. You're right though, patenting is by it's nature selfish.

[@drooplug]

SawStop tried the license their patent to the manufacturers, but they weren't interested. That's why they decided to make their own saw. That was a big risk and now that the product is a proven success, the other manufacturers want a piece. I can't blame SawStop for not wanting to issue licenses. Unfortunately, it's the craftsmen that suffer.

[@WarPigstheHun]

@@drooplug yeah cuz people laughed at safety alot more back then. Some still do

[@415volts]

@chrisb2443 SawStop are planning to launch in Uk. Just for info. PS - I do know ;)

[@IstasPumaNevada]

It's not just that the big manufacturers didn't want to use sawstop at first; they've been actively lobbying this whole time to prevent some safety features from becoming required.

[@ranlove47]

I’m a brand new woodworker just less than one year. It’s been a full time learning every minute in the shop. From day one of using a contractor table saw I was terrified of it and was very mindful of what I was doing. Purchased a micro jig gripper and made a sled for crosscuts. Never get complacent!!

[@Wen6543]

Table saws are dangerous however i never been afraid of them, still i do use them with maximum care and taking it easy, it´s a psychological thing, and as soon as i feel tired i stop using them and i do things that are less dangerous. Lathes on the other hand are my real nightmare, one mistake and they can literally destroy all your body in the most horrific way, not just a couple of fingers or a hand. i´m always extra, extra, EXTRA, SUPER EXTRA, careful with lathes, works that other people can do in an hour for me are 2 or 3 hours works.

[@PfunkNH]

Never lose the fear. People who get comfortable usually get into trouble

[@markgado8782]

​@@PfunkNH fear indeed helps keep us safe..

[@Mvp0798]

people who are new to woodworking don't usually get hurt. It's the guys who have been doing it for a while because they become complacent. Don't let any tool become so familiar that you don't think of the dangers

[@escapetherace1943]

@@PfunkNH what about that guy from india or whatever using a tablesaw to cut chicken up that he juggles for the camera and cuts with his bare hands doing literally 2 cuts a second..... gonna lose a finger for sure LMFAO

[@MikeTaylorToolworks]

I've been running a table saw for over 40 years in home and production shops and have seen it all. I have a very healthy fear/respect for that machine. I've dodged maybe 50 kickbacks and been hit by a few. (this was before riving knivesnor zero clearanse plates were inventer) Your video was spot on for all the items you addressed. Wish I'd seen this about when I first started using a table saw. Nice work and keep these videos rolling.

[@wittworks]

Thank you friend 🥰

[@jonlanier_]

It's bullcrap that many people get hurt. 1 person every two hours... common man.

[@nagamendo5655]

There is one point that I miss in the video (it is a great video by the way, thank you): You have to be aware of the weaknesses of your tablesaw. What I mean by this is: My first tablesaw was a cheap noname product for far less than $200. It was terribly imprecise, leaving burn marks all over the cut. But I was new to woodworking and thought that it was my fault. Only after a year or so I found out the reason: The rip fence was far too weak and was bending away when I put pressure from the side onto the workpiece. So at the hight of the blade, the rip fence was bending back for a millimeter or more. If I would ever have lowered the side pressure during a cut, the rip fence would have pushed the workpiece back into the blade, probably causing a kickback … with me in the line of fire. I was so damn lucky that nothing ever happened to me. Over time I learned more and more about woodworking and the tools. And of course, one day, I found out about the problem with my tablesaw (and my incredible luck). The tablesaw was the first tool I threw out of my shop. Bought a much better semi-professional one which lets me calibrate the fence to like one hundredth of a millimeter (if I wanted to and took the time and effort to do so, but a tolerance of one tenth of a millimeter is totally fine with me). Before I bought the new tablesaw, I informed myself about quality, tolerances and safety features and watched a bunch of YT videos about KZbinrs using/testing the tablesaw, just to make sure that I do not make such a bad purchase decision ever again… Thanks for the video. Love your channel. Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭

You're right. Good research goes a long way. I had a discussion with my wife about the cost of a table saw and I convinced her i rather have a decent saw instead of a cheap dangerous one. It's best to pay more for the built-in safety and quality imho.

[@RichyN25]

out of curiosity what tablesaw did you end up buying?

[@defenestrated23]

I have a Craftsman/Sears table saw which is very convenient, but also infuriates me. It has one of the clamp-down aluminum fences and it just has so much wobble. Looking at the HF Hercules saw with rack and pinion fence for not just precision but also safety.

[@mattmag3089]

I'm a residential, non-union rough carpenter who admittedly has been doing horribly dangerous things constantly on the job with my trusty guardless Circular saw and nail gun, while running or balancing precariously, for over 20 years. But when it comes to the tablesaw, i am fully aware of the respect it demands. I slow down, plan the cut and assess what can go wrong.

[@sweepphreak]

i wont even touch one i was always told if you are so nervous using a tool that you are shaky and distracted don't use the tool period

[@largesizejellyfish3014]

Im so glad my highschool carpentry teacher took safety so seriously. I have worked for years around saws and other woodworking machinery. I have witnessed plenty of accidents in factory settings and I make sure to always prioritize safety. So far I have not even had close calls. Always prioritize safety!

[@f.d.6667]

As a trained woodworker and a shop teacher, I have to thank you for making this video! EDUCATION is the only way to prevent accidents... that and splitters and blade guards.

[@Jake_Jakesworthingtonburgenson]

first and foremost thank you for making this video, i very much enjoy your content. Wish i would have seen it 2 weeks ago maybe my foolish mistake could have been avoided. i tagged all 4 fingers on my right hand. after pulling my hand back i held it up and looked at it and saw my index finger hanging on by threads. fast forward 2 weeks, 1 surgery, one job lost, some brutally painful moments, and a whole lot of struggles learning to adapt. i am typing this message with one hand and one thumb on my other hand, i have an inch of a nub for an index finger and the rest of them are a long way and a lot of physical therapy away from "useable". oh and to top it off me and my wife closed on our fixer upper condo the day before the accident happened and guess who was supposed to be the fixer? i was making a coffee table for my wife as a surprise for her birthday six days from now. im a safety nut to the point where my buddys poke fun at me for my whole face shield respirator used for nearly everything. i use a push block or stick for everything. but that night i was off work late and tired but wanted to get her gift done. one bad decision followed by a tired reach in a slightly dim garage combined with a misjudged Hight of blade as i reached and my entire life is different forever. i cant tell you how many times i have said to my wife as she wraps my mangled hand "god why didn't i just go to bed, or "im so stupid why did i reach like that" but the truth is none of that matters anymore for me. if anyone even reads this just take your tools and machines seriously. I've made thousands of cuts on my table saw but it only took one moment to alter my life and bring on a massive wave of problems not the least of which is from the completely useless and lost feeling that comes from a maker not being able to make, or even tie his shoes. that's my piece hope it helps someone avoid the same mistakes

[@wittworks]

I'm so sorry. Thank you for sharing the warning. 🙏

[@johnleonard5857]

Thank you for this video. I do own a SawStop but as you s aid that only protects you from one of the 100’s of mistakes you can make while using a table saw. I am just as guilty as everyone else of cutting corners at times, and it usually starts off with I’m only making one cut I don’t need to get all safed up. This is why I firmly believe it’s the more experienced wood workers that get hurt more from a table saw than the rookie. Rookies are just too damned scared of it cut corners, while us “experienced workers” have lost that fear/respect for this (and other power tools) over time. I force myself to watch and rewatch the safety videos just to try to keep myself centered on the danger these tools inherently have in them. I have saved this video to my safety folder to watch it again in the future.

[@wittworks]

Thank you John! 100% agree

[@fidgetshouse]

I will be taking a class at our local tool library on tool use, and then a safety course before I can use their tools. I am doing this because I have never used, nor do I own, a table saw. Your video will help so much as I learn how to use all the tools. Much of what you covered I can also apply to the use of my circular saw and mitre saw. I am long over due on maintenance. I have had my circular saw bind, and when that happens, the whole tool can kick back. Super scary. I also had the blade in my mitre saw come loose. The one thing missing from your video is the use of a blade guard. Excellent tutorial. Always know where your hands are, and your brain. I hope this one goes viral.

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Drew, great video and always a difficult topic as 'safety' videos are rarely popular (unless you go down the 'I almost burned down my shop...' route) but may I add another, probably unpopular but really obvious suggestion? Don't use an unguarded blade. I know nobody likes to be told what to do, and us Brits get some stick in comments about this - Stumpy Nubs did an entire video on it - but in commercial workshops in the UK it is against all health & safety regulations to use an unguarded blade in a table saw; I can't say that it's actually illegal ie a criminal act, but there's evidence of 5-figure fines and settlements to companies after employee injuries using an unguarded blade, or just a blade where the guarding was insufficient. The crown guard isn't just for dust collection. 🤷‍♂ 👍

[@wittworks]

Oh wow. Thank you for sharing that mate!

[@michaelslifecycle]

I think another good thing to add to this list is to actually have this list posted right next to the saw, so every time you go to use it, you make sure you go through this checklist. This is mainly because it can be easy to forget just one step on this list and that can be the one that causes an issue. If you have these posted on a sign that you have to look at before using the saw, you’ll always be reminded of every safety measure before cutting.

[@JohnS-er7jh]

I agree, checklists and safety reminder signs are important.

[@error.418]

Getting my pilot's license caused me to end up with checklists for so many things, and honestly it's been a huge removal of burden. Brains aren't good for remembering. Use checklists, have less things to hold in your brain, feel calmer, be safer.

[@michaelslifecycle]

@@error.418 It's a good trait to have and something I need to use more often.

[@DF-wl8nj]

@@JohnS-er7jh a great visual method I’ve seen in manufacturing is to physically mark off danger zones with red tape. If you have to re-read a safety sign to remind yourself to not stand in the kickback zone, you might forget while you’re in a hurry, but having a rectangle marked in red on the ground will immediately register as “I shouldn’t stand here”

[@silenthill5794]

Everyone's going to share their little incidents so here's mine. At the time I was more than fairly new, had a small shop and a cheap Delta 10". I was using pallet wood at the time I think and was ripping a piece of some crap and didn't realize there was a knothole on the underside. I pushed the cut through just fine, lifted the piece and brought it up and over the blade like I always do before I had turned the saw off. The knot hole fell out of it's uh hole, and landed of course on the center of the rotating blade and was then flung right into the center of my chest at 2hp driven speed. It was a piece the size of a pinball for those that remember pinball machines, and I thought I was going to DIE !! when it hit me. I"ve never once been close to cutting myself because I'm so anal I give myself safety talks every time I use the table saw. But me and my 10 fingers will never forget that moment.

[@wittworks]

Oh my!!!! Thank you for sharing that. I didn’t think about knot holes but they scare me. This could have been 22 mistakes!

[@skylier36]

Great video, I’m new to woodworking but spent 25 years in military aviation. We enforce safety to another level there, glad to see valuable info/experience like this shared.

[@wittworks]

thank you

[@christopherberry8519]

Giving back like this is awesome. Cool attitude dude.

[@RonGuilbault]

Here are my table saw dos: Can I use the track saw instead. Use the blade guard for as many cuts as possible! Wear a leather or canvas apron. Never listen to music, focus. Go slowly. Wait for the blade to stop after each cut before letting hands go near the blade. I did not know about the safety angle on zero clearance! Great video, thank you.

[@diyhuntress]

Thank you for opening my eyes to the dangers of breathing in air in this video. I had no idea how dangerous it was. So glad Dan is okay! On the real though, this video was so helpful. Thanks for asking me to share my story! 🙌🍓

[@wittworks]

Hahaha. You got me. Watch out for that air. Thank you for being a part of it!

[@joegonzalez6346]

Great stuff! Thank you

[@DanielDunlap]

I am NOT okay

[@wittworks]

hahaha

[@KeithJohnsonCustomWoodworking]

I once put my blade on backwards...got distracted by a phone call while I was changing the blade. Luckily, I caught it before I turned on the saw, but it's a lesson in being focused on the task at hand.

[@wittworks]

I’m glad I’m not the only one! Total boat baby.

[@AGlimpseInside]

@@wittworks yep in the eye!

[@PikkaBird]

Oh look, it's Jerry from @jerrycustomwoodworking

[@m.cigledy6769]

I bought a SawStop when I started setting up my shop. I have had two accidents with it in 20 years. The first one happened when lightning struck close by (I had no idea it was even raining - garage door was closed). Lighting struck, I jumped, board bounced up and pulled my hand into the blade. THE SAWSTOP WORKED. I needed a band-aid and some new shorts, but I was fine. The second time I was cutting maple, and it twisted after the cut started. It didn't even get to the riving knife before the blade grabbed it and shot it into my stomach hard enough to bounce off my fat roll and hit the ceiling. The saw didn't trip off. I agree that there is a lot more to staying safe with a table saw than just what a SawStop offers. I still have an outline on my stomach from that chunk of maple. But at the same time, I don't think you should be so dismissive of what it CAN do. I guarantee I would have lost all four fingers on my left hand if I was using any other saw.

[@WarPigstheHun]

I attached a 12x12 plexiglass over my miter gauge fence to protect my upper body from kickback and it also keeps table saw dust down. I also created a 20mm thick aluminium extrusion as a barrier between my right hand and the blade. Whenever i do rip cuts, i use lots of wood tape, custom safety jigs, and stand on the far right of the entire table saw, and pull the piece toward me and the fence while cutting it. This tactic has saved me from any form of table saw accident- it is 100x safer than standing in front of the blade while using the crappy default push stick. Use as many custom jigs, clamps, and wood tapes until you are satisfied that the piece is secured and will not go flying.

[@rickmaudlin2160]

Great video and testimonials. We all need these quality reminders. Stay Safe! Thanks Ron Paulk for sending me here.

[@nateh6446]

Great video! I appreciate you taking the time to gather all of the other YT makers stories. Riving knife is key. My 9mo son didn't sleep at all one night- neither did I. The next day I decided to try and quickly finish a project... stupid idea being in a zombie-like state. Cutting 1" strips of maple, I forgot to put the riving knife back in after using my crosscut sled. On my last cut, the strip pinched and shot back into the wall behind me. As I turned to see what happened, the offcut I was holding touched the blade and ripped out of my hand and went flying too. I shut things down for the rest of that day. I've got the offcut mounted on the wall as a reminder. Stay safe everyone, keep up the good work Drew!

[@wittworks]

Oh wow! Thank you for sharing. I love the idea of mounting that off cut! Put some red paint on there strategically for effect. 🩸

[@SkullyWoodMetal]

I have a Saw Stop and I have often forgot to lock the fence. I don't remember having this issue with my Hybrid saw. Thanks for the great video and tips.

[@elenamakes]

Thanks for sharing 😊 helpful for beginners like me

[@kmaryott]

Thank you so much for this excellent video! I am sitting here cringing, because as a new woodworker, I’ve done most of those things. Thank goodness I haven’t lost my fingers, but this is really helped her mind me how to stay safe.

[@markstephens4606]

Outstanding!!! Loved the constant reference to others and their experiences. Excellent safety video, well done!!

[@wittworks]

thank you Mark

[@oiojin831]

i need to watch this every month!

[@monteglover4133]

Thanks for the video 👍 Jimmy’s incident is why we all should have E-stops to shutdown the shop with the push of one button/switch placed at minimum near the exits, fairly easily done on initial setup of shop*. Also can prevent little visitors from starting equipment! I’ve been woodworking for 50+ years still have all my digits. Never had flesh contact a running saw blade, but cracked ribs from kickback because of bad fence alignment. Belt and disk sanders can bite you bad they are the reasons for my only ER trips from woodworking.. *Install a sub panel for your equipment fed by a remote trip breaker or a contactor and wire the stop switches in series

[@wittworks]

Thank you for sharing! Stay safe

[@jimrosson6702]

Absolutely great video Drew thank you so much for sharing this video and opening up so many people’s eyes to how fast you can get hurt. You have saved many new and experienced woodworkers hopefully from getting injured we thank you for that. Keep up the great work. I will definitely share this video

[@wittworks]

thank you

[@JFantin75]

Well done, Drew. You’re killing it! Keep it up! If this video does as well as I think it will, Dan will have a very busy next couple weeks making inserts haha. I love how you add other makers in your videos / posts.

[@wittworks]

Thank you

[@codacreator6162]

Great video! Thank you! I learned some stuff, was reminded of stuff I used to know, and immediately thought about a number of videos I’ve seen recently. Too many makers like to look cool, like the rules of chance don’t apply to them. I’m sharing this every time I see them taking unnecessary risks for the sake of cool.

[@papascruffy]

Great video. Had my first injury about a year ago, reaching for my push stick that was too far away, taking my eyes off the work, a very small piece it started to raise up then popped back down allowing my thumb to slip over it and into the blade, 13 stitches, disfigured thumb and no feeling in my thumb halfway from the tip. Next I'll work on educating my wife's habit of opening the door yelling my name 🙄

[@wonkywoody]

This is a very comprehensive and well organized set of best practices, and it will motivate me to improve a couple of things. It's very hard to watch videos about amputation. I do have one suggestion to add though. I always wear a safety SHIELD at the table saw. One of my roommates in college had a kickback that put a gash in his face. His eyes were protected, but the rest of his face wasn't.

[@wittworks]

Oh wow. Thank you for sharing that. Didn’t think of a shield. An apron can help too with body kickback.

[@fencal2]

Not standing in the line of fire is something not many people think of when using a table saw. (I was lucky enough to get taught it at college) cause even the smallest lengths can be fired at speed. I've had it happen once and the piece was only 5mm square and maybe 1 metre in length, but that thing shot across the workshop and made a bang so loud it sounded like a gun. It was so loud it was easily heard despite having ear defenders on. You should also be careful with push shoes as they get your hands close to the blade, especially when doing thin cuts. I was taught not to put your hands 150mm either side of the blade and 300mm in front of it. Using this will help you keep your hands away

[@Rubin5342]

WW, you are about the tenth safety video for today. Watched one and became addicted so the more I watched, the more I learned. Hence, THANK YOU! Conversely, the more TS safety vids I watch, the more I become convinced that I will go ahead and finish building my Festool track saw table. I started it two years ago, then got the cool little Dewalt 745, love it but now I am beginning to think that no matter how safe you are, you are still gonna get bitten by the spinning 10" - sooner or later. .......40 mins later, I finished this video and am astounded at things you bring up that I just don't normally care about. One of the many in this video is "FRAME OF MIND" while using these tools. I learned more in this than all the others and am commiting them to memory. A very BIG - THANK YOU //ji

[@randallthomas5207]

Zero clearance inserts are easy to make. The plates on my Delta saw are very close to the thickness of 12-mm Baltic Birch with a layer of Formica on top. Cut a piece of Baltic Birch, a little wider, than the insert is long, and put some bright colored Formica on it. Cut some blanks a bit wider than the stock insert. My Delta insert has four leveling screws, I removed the set screws, and used screws through the holes to attach the blanks, and then used the router table with a pattern bit, to cut the blank to match the stock insert.. You need to keep the new insert down on the table to cut the kerf.

[@rla1000]

Outstanding video, very comprehensive list of safety protocols. I've had my table saw for over 30 years and for most of those years never used the splitter (older Delta Unisaw with no riving knife) or blade guard or feather board or push stick or shoe or safety glasses. I only had three mishaps, all violent kickbacks, and I have all my digits. Two long pieces put holes in the wall behind me only because I was standing to the side of the line of fire. The other, unfortunately, sent a short block of wood into my abdomen (not actually *into* my abdomen) resulting in broken skin and a horrendous bruise and pain that lasted several days. Finally I needed reading glasses so at least I had some eye protection. But at some point I began to use the splitter, featherboards, and push shoe. I hate push sticks because it looks very awkward to try to control some board a foot-and-a-half out from me. I use featherboard even if I'm only making one cut. A shoe provides much better downward and rightward control - feels more like an extension of my hand without actually putting my hand at risk. But to each his own. Regarding featherboards, I never really minded setting them up and locking into the miter slot. Then I discovered MagSwitch featherboards that can be affixed or released in no time, anywhere on your table saw (cast iron or steel only). Strong magnets hold them in place. I highly recommend them. One more tip - if using a push shoe, do not use, or make, the type with a hole in it for your hand. If the blade grabs the shoe, you have a better chance of your hand not being caught up in the shoe and tangled in the blade. I actually had my blade grab the shoe I was using (without a handhole) and it violently ripped it out of my hand, but I was aware that my hand rolled over. I'm glad I wasn't tangled in the shoe. I still have that shoe with a nice kerf cut in it. It's a good reminder to pay ultra attention when ripping narrow pieces.

[@KlayJones]

Drew, your honesty I'm admitting your assumption of "more teeth/more expensive = better blade" is commendable. Many of us have made similar assumptions as we get into the craft. You're a great example by surfacing those assumptions in an effort to make a difference in the lives of the woodworking community! Thanks!

[@wittworks]

I appreciate that! Thank you. No reason to hide mistakes. Unless you have an ego.

[@shepherdfree]

Tons of videos covering all this out there already. Gonna like and comment on this one too because there needs to be as many of these as possible out there getting engagement and being recommended.

[@dwwoodbuilds]

Great video Drew! Cameos' of other makers sharing their close calls is great (makes it "real"). Lots of great points! Keep it up and stay safe!

[@wittworks]

I appreciate that!

[@boppins]

Great video. I have one simple rule for the table saw - don't be complacent. I'm a rock climber and this is something we repeat a lot to each other. I always thought it was perfect for woodworking as well.

[@wittworks]

Great point!

[@knoopx]

that rule is universal, applies to any risk-involving activity

[@at_timberworks]

Love how through and eye opening this video is, Drew! We all need to be diligent and not get complacent. Thanks for asking me to be a part of this 😘

[@wittworks]

Thank you for sharing! Hope you can bother Dan to make a Harvey

[@tracer1127]

I bought some of the zero clearance yellow strips for my mitre saw and they are a game changer especially if you make a zero clearance fence to go with it. Regards table saws I think most DIY users would be far safer with a plunge/rail saw. No kickbacks, no missiles firing back at you and most importantly your fingers are well out of the way. If you did slip or for some reason you fell the blade will retract back into the housing instead of you being dragged towards it. The problem with all power tools is that rarely do they take any prisoners and when things go wrong it happens faster than you can react or move away.

[@the23rdsubject]

Great video and THANK YOU!!!

[@williamaugustus3296]

I had been using a table saw at work, for 20+ years, mostly untrained outside of watching other people's success and mistakes. Luckily I was cutting mostly MDF at 1st, which is thankfully very forgiving. (I hate the stuff otherwise) I learned over time both seeing and making a lot of stupid mistakes. Knock on wood, I have never been injured. it was a very chaotic environment. There could be as many as 20 different people using the table saw over the course of the day. Often there were people who had no business getting anywhere near it. After finding an 8" piece of 3/4" plywood hanging out under the zero clearance insert, I got in the habit of checking over everything every time I followed someone else. Anyway, I've worked with a lot of pro woodworkers and cabinet makers over the years. I don't recall a single one of them using a riving knife. Instead they all recommend to adjust the fence to be slightly more open at the back end to avoid the blade getting pinched. Some of these pros consider a riving knife to be even more dangerous than going without. I think they were concerned about it coming out of alignment. At home I use a Dewalt jobsite saw that is built into a larger table. I can't access the lever for the riving knife easily so I never use it. I do have the fence set to be slightly open on the back. I've never had any issues with kick back. My cuts are clean and perfectly square. I'm curious how many other people use this technique. I have done a few dumb things in the past few years. I'm definitely guilty of adjusting the fence with the blade running. I mostly use a cross cut blade for everything. I'll stop doing both of these! Some other safety tips: 1. Don't work in a shop that has lots of clutter and cut-off leaning all over the place. 2. Make sure where you are standing is clear and that your access is not restricted. 3. If there's a mat, tape it down with carpet tape or better yet, remove it. 4. Wear a dust mask ear and eye protection and use dust collection. 5. Keep a blood stop kit in your 1st aid kit and know how to use it. 6. don't work alone. I read about a guy who passed out and bled to death from what was not too serious of a cut. 7. Lower the blade when not in use. 8. Don't use your saw as a general purpose work table. 9. Don't drink alcohol or do any drugs while working in a shop. This seems so obvious, but I've had to send home a few people for this. Jobsite saws can be dangerous since they are a little more difficult to set up and often don't stay that way if they are being moved around. However, since they have less power than most cabinet saws, they can be a little less intense when they do kick back. In twenty years, I drove 1 guy to the hospital with his thumb cut halfway off. I saw an idiot spill a bucket of screws onto a table saw that was in use. 1 guy cut his hand on the belt of a contractor saw. I've seen countless nicks and bruises from kick backs and even found a couple making love on the saw once, with the blade all the way up! I've also seen a router go sailing across the shop one time. My friend was the shop tech at Columbia University and caught some students drinking and trying to surf sheets of plywood across the table saw with the blade going! This was shortly after they had a grad student die when her braids got tangled in the metal lathe. I digress...

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

Always nice to have a reminder of the golden rules of what not to do on the table saw. Thanks for the great video

[@lukesmedley33]

For number 12, you'd be better taking memory out of the equation. If your power tools don't have a no-voltage release (NRV) switch, buy a standalone switch and install it between the power and your machinery. If power is ever cut, the tool won't turn back on when power is restored (plus, they make accessible emergency stop buttons, too!).

[@PaulvanGassel66]

All very true and useful, but surprised you don't mention the use of a blade guard, which also improves dust collection.

[@ScarletEyeMoon]

Thank you so much for this! Saw safety is so important and you showed me some things I never thought of like checking the saw alignment and that the nut is tight! I hope allot more people watch this video, some really great tips!

[@einsteinbpc]

Take it from a guy who at 10 years old watched his dad come home with three of his fingers almost detached and bandaged back together from putting his pushing hand through a dado stack. The table saw is nothing to mess with at all and I always think and think again before making a cut. Great video as always. 🙏

[@wittworks]

Oh man. Thank you for sharing that. Traumatic for sure.

[@hansangb]

@16:57 re:frame of mine. This is why I never try to batch things out. You go to auto mode and let your mind drift. For me anyway. So I try to break it up since productivity isn't a key metric for a DIYer. But I always follow the things I learned in the Army. PMCS - preventative maintenance checks ans services. Like a flight checklist to make sure everything is where it's supposed to be and in good working order. I physically wand my hand over the saw to make sure its clear of debris. I say "clear" before turning on the saw. (it's like doing a back blast area clear) And I mentally (sometimes physically) practice what the cut will look like. For larger pieces, it's critical. Overkill? Maybe. Doing all this when I'm by myself, it's silly? Maybe. But that's not why I do it. I do it so it become second nature. And when my boys help, I know I'll do it w/o fail. That's why SOP exists in the Army. Because peoples lives are stake. And if my limbs are at stake, why not do it? It takes a second, and for DIY'er, it's worth the time. I get that production carpenters and woodworkers have a different threshold and that's totally fine. I'm just talking about a DIYer/hobbyist like myself.

[@wittworks]

good point. My mind always wanders in batch mode.

[@davidhorizon8401]

Excellent video! Thanks for making it.

[@martinsmith2948]

thank you so much! this was very helpful!

[@-PORK-CHOP-]

Simple Green general purpose cleaner works great to clean the blades, soak it for a few minutes, then toothbrush off the gunk

[@wittworks]

That’s a great tip

[@MrSpzwd]

I agree. Works great and not caustic like oven cleaner. It can however take the printing off your blade. Haven't had it hurt the coatings on blades like Freud or CMT though.

[@HeliRy]

I consider those dents in the wall behind my saw to be badges of honour. Every single one is a testament to best laid plans gone wrong, but at least I wasn’t dumb enough to be standing in the line of fire! 😇

[@DIY-Stuff87]

Thank you for this.

[@flashwashington2735]

Love your attitude of service.

[@shaneanderson6230]

Very good video, as a veteran cabinetmaker (and one who has been cut by a tab,e saw) I am amazed by the number of woodworking channels (unfortunately, including yours) that don’t have guards fitted to their saws. As a professional I would also remove the guards, but after I was cut by the saw, the guard went back on. A simple guard that mounts on the Irving knife is all you need, it also dramatically improves safety for kick back.

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

I see a steady stream of these youtube tool guys losing fingers. I laugh every time. Wish they'd all go away.

[@jimmydiresta]

My big close up 😅

[@wittworks]

Thank you for sharing your story! 🖐️

[@humanvoicemail5059]

Thank you for this 🙏🏻

[@soldonshaw]

Excellent. All things we know but get complacent about. Thank you for this.

[@SteveP79]

Another tip is to make sure the riving knife is aligned properly with the blade. I bought a new table saw and the riving knife was so out of whack that it was causing issues with the pushing the wood through the cut. It took me a while to get it aligned just right.

[@wittworks]

oh wow!

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

i'm just glad the people finally know that jason bent doesnt build anything :)

[@wittworks]

Hahaha. After his comment about me in his last video, I approve this message.

[@bixwor]

Great video man and lots of good tips and reminders.

[@syproful]

Great to see you use CMT blades. They are really well made. Balancing holes included :) I first bought one for Non ferrous aluminum cuts. I was really surprised.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

Good info. I watched the whole thing, but being a seasoned pro of over 30 years, I only learned about 15 things.😜

[@wittworks]

You’re funny! Appreciate you. 🤙

[@wittworks]

⛑Protect your cast iron with Carbon Coat: t.ly/lZvUK use code WITTWORKS for 10% off

[@brucewilliamsstudio4932]

Hi Brother.... In a past life I was a commercial pilot and one thing I learned was that as experience goes up, so does complacency. In aviation it's around 2300 flying hours with the highest accident rate. It appears that the issue is that people repeatedly get away with minor infractions and then they make several mistakes at one time (the swiss cheese theory) and then BOOM! Great video!

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

OMG you spent this video telling people to use tablesaws? After learning just what they are and what they do to people? It's not a matter of knowing the rules, it's a matter of complacency. Using them breeds this. Using them is dangerous. Using them results in injury. Stop using them.

[@brucewilliamsstudio4932]

@@whatilearnttoday5295 You said it yourself, complacency is the culprit. So ask yourself how you avoid complacency? One idea that I have is to watch videos like this one. It helps to remind one of the dangers of complacency, and the potential outcomes if one allows it to creep into your life. This applies to all things, not just table saws. Look, think through the dangers, and take steps to avoid them. Live long and prosper.

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

@@brucewilliamsstudio4932 Step 1: Don't use a tablesaw for every single task.

[@Competitive_Antagonist]

This is an incredibly detailed video. I'm just a batchuler that likes to fix a few things round the home, so feel nervous about using anything more than a jigsaw. I never knew so many things could go wrong with a table saw.

[@deathtotruthers1]

I know some people are pissy about affiliate links, but there's nothing wrong with KZbinrs using them. This is a great video that reminded me to be safer with my table saw, and I would be happy to support you for making it. Go wild with the affiliate links.

[@TheGingerWorkshop]

Great video! There was one i never thought of while using a table saw. Thank you for making this!

[@9usuck0]

The guy I work with refinishing hardwood floors, he taught me everything, actually cut his thumb, first finger, and ¹/3 of his middle finger off. He was pushing a job, working late and tired while being sick. What's crazy is he still does that often when he gets sick. He still works. At least I learned from his experiences.

[@brendanlangord1687]

Great video, I learned a lot. Thank you for sharing.

[@johnsanchez1619]

Very well done, thank you!

[@stefrbt]

Also a new woodworker and couldn’t appreciate more your thoroughly explaining video! Thank you so much👍

[@wittworks]

Thank you. That’s my goal

[@stevekuxhausen7981]

Excellent video!

[@TheWardagh]

Great video and some really important reminders. Appreciate the mention! Thank you 👍🏼

[@wittworks]

Thank you Mark

[@SolveFixBuild]

I’ve been hit in the ribs by kickback - luckily I was wearing a thick Carhart jacket that protected me from being cut. I’ve also had a pice thrown at me that hit me in the hand. The number of accidents and injuries I’ve had woodworking over 20 years is higher than any other activity.

[@jorickferies2299]

Great video, more than usefull !! Thank you.

[@chicobicalho5621]

As a sculpture student at RISD in the 1980s, I had a teacher who taught this about working on the table saw. -"before you begin working, count all your fingers one by one, and in the end do it again to make sure they are all there" however, a friend lost half his thumb shortly after that, and it flew by his head inches from his right eye and landed 10 meters on the other side of the shop in a pile of wood chips. He came very close to loosing his eye as well, which would have been a horrible nightmare. Now the curse... he was making a cross to attach a Christ figure he had sculpted from a large block of cheddar cheese, he was going to entitle "Cheesus". He never finished it. But for me the most memorable celebrity dismemberment from a table saw is by the world's greatest climber, Tommy Caldwell, an amazing story.

[@drhender6943]

I've been woodworking and using table saws and other power equipment since I was a teenager-- more that 35 years. I was putting a new zero clearance insert into my saw, which I have not done very often. Knowing that a new, unfamiliar operation was likely to accident potential, I spent significant time thinking through what I needed to do. But my plan was bad-- I stood at the left end of the saw and hand-held the insert in place with a secondary piece of wood in my left hand. My logic was that the secondary block would protect my fingers. As I raised the blade through the insert to make the slot, it clipped the piece of wood I was holding, kicking it forward and rolling my hand under and dragging it into the blade. Luckily, it happened while the blade was still very low, so there wasn't much exposed to cut me. Still, I spent a few hours in the ER. The gash ran across the back of my index finger (cutting through skin and tendons and nicking the bone) and the knuckle of my middle finger. I only needed 12 stitches to close the wounds, but the tendons were unrepairable and I can no longer straighten my index finger. In retrospect, I should have clamped a board over the insert in place an had my hands nowhere near the saw surface when I raised the blade through it. That seems obvious to me now, but at the time, I thought I had thought it through and thought I was being safe. I am sure there will be those who will call me a fool. That maybe true too-- I'd have a hard time defending myself as I sit here with my crooked finger. Thank you for taking the time to film and share this video. I've been back in the shop for a couple of years now since the accident, but can tell you it took me several months before I was willing to turn on the saw on again.

[@huntsail3727]

Great job!

[@viracocha03]

Its videos like this and the Jimmy interview that make me glad i decided to go the route of hand tools. Not to mention it just feel right, well that and power tools are obnoxiously loud.

[@FineClonier]

How about a track saw 101. Do’s, don’t’s and just good basics to avoid injury, but also to get the best successes. This video reminds me of how important education is!

[@st170ish]

Thank you for this video, one of the last ones you mentioned is the not locking the fence this where the old "Align A Rip" fences were good compared to modern designs as you need to lock the fence or its not square and a slightest touch the fence it will move(before getting to the blade)whereas modern designs keep the fence rigidly square without locking thus needing a more pressure to move. I will add one more lot of safety issues, with bulk resawing you know like two operators one infeed the other outfeed, if the outfeed person grabs the wood before passing the blade its very easy to angle it with a such long lever. And also the offcut is very dangerous to grab on the outfeed side as it often stays at the cutting edge of the blade... if it tilts back over to the blade it can get shot back towards "Mr. Infeed" pulling the hand of Mr. Outfeed towards the blade... hopefully hitting the rear of the guard that should be installed, seen this happen back in my high school days, the result was "only some stitches"

[@pauljordan756]

Subscribed! EXCELLENT information and delivery! Thank you for sharing these insights and real world examples that remind us of how things can happen in mere seconds. Look forward to watching more of your content in future. Thanks!

[@wittworks]

Thank you Paul. Welcome aboard.

[@olgreywolf9688]

I am a well-over-80-year-old wood worker. I spend much time, generally daily, in my shop, which isn't 'profesional' but is equipped with most of the common power tools, including a really excellent tablesaw. I LOVE being in my shop, working, building, repairing, whatever. Not one single day goes by, normally, that I'm not in the shop for one reason or the other. I have had, say less than four "near-serious" accidents in some fifteen years. The worst being an event where I was attempting to plane an 18x12 inch piece of rosewood with a huge knot in the center of it! Planer objected, and sent the wood through a window at the end of my shop, 30 feet away! Fortunately, I was standng to one side and it missed me. ALL of the incidents I've had, so far, were related to some form of kick-back events. I would say that very frequently spending time here on the internet, reading and learning, has likely saved me much grief and tragedy. I have now slowly grown "apprehensive" about the techniques and procedures I've used, AND the old adage, "familiarity breeds contempt" (and disaster!) ... concerns for me are now growing mostly out of my age. I do not EVER turn on ANY piece of equipment, most especially the table saw, that I dont quickly go through a mental check list of "hands, material, obstacles, and locks." I don't know how much longer I can continue to work .... but as of now, I will not stop ... but (I hope) i will just get more cautious (read, "spooked") by what I'm about to do. So far, thankfully, I've somehow managed to stay out of the hospital. Incidentally, I do not use "push blocks"!! (I can hear it now!!) Every time I've listened to the warnings, and tried it, I have come within a fraction of getting hurt. Damn things just confuse, me, and actually, trully, just get in the way. Leading to fumbling, and mishandling. (Of course, I will find something to move work through the saw when doing trimming, slicing styled cuts! I ain't completely stoopid!) Best to all .. can't say I "enjoyed" this video ... but it certainly put fear of god into things!!!

[@TomRaneyMaker]

Super important video. Thanks for raising awareness - and wow, what a shocking amount of injuries associated with table saws. I've used commercial table saws for work and less powerful ones for job site and home use. After getting kickback at work that knocked the wind out of me (trimming oak stair treads), my boss advised me to never rip something wider than it is long. You said this, but it's worth repeating. The nice thing about smaller and less powerful saws is that they tend to be more forgiving when you make mistakes like that. They'll pop the breaker or just stall out. I've used small portable job site saws that we just screwed down to the sub-floor and they work great as long as you use sharp blades and don't push the work faster than the saw can cut.

[@qapla]

Excellent video with really practical reminders. 👍

[@wittworks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RojasCarpentry]

Loving the videos Witt! 👍🏻

[@wittworks]

Thank you

[@quentinsherratt7969]

Excellent video🎯💯

[@wittworks]

Thank you