Comments on: The Table Saw Guide http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/297/episode-50-table-saw-guide/ The Handyguys are two avid DIYers sharing their experiences working around the house. Our weekly video and audio podcasts feature answers to your questions, head-to-head tool tests and other DIY and home improvement topics. If you have a question regarding your home, let us know using the contact tab on our site or call us at (818) 804-8665. We respond to all questions and may use your question on-the-air in a future broadcast. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you around the home! Wed, 16 May 2012 18:41:37 +0000 hourly 1 By: Turtle http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/297/episode-50-table-saw-guide/#comment-423 Turtle Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:20:23 +0000 http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/?p=297#comment-423 More cheap table saw advice Build a sled, a piece of plywood and a 2x4 can make life so much easier. That plastic miter gauge never seems to be 90 degrees, even after you glue and screw it (yes I did). More cheap table saw advice
Build a sled, a piece of plywood and a 2×4 can make life so much easier. That plastic miter gauge never seems to be 90 degrees, even after you glue and screw it (yes I did).

]]> By: The Handyguys http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/297/episode-50-table-saw-guide/#comment-422 The Handyguys Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:38:19 +0000 http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/?p=297#comment-422 Thanks Turtle - Good advice. Thanks Turtle – Good advice.

]]> By: Turtle http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/297/episode-50-table-saw-guide/#comment-421 Turtle Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:32:44 +0000 http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/?p=297#comment-421 I have always had a table saw. The first was one of those $99 dollar models that could fit in the trunk of my small Chrysler. Now I have a portable contractor’s table saw that easily lifts out of my basement onto the back of my pickup. I highly recommend you buy the best tool you can afford. I use mine on different job sites so weight and portability prevented me from getting a cabinet saw. For $500 look at the DEWALT DW744S, but for what you decribe you are going to be building I recommend if you have the space to use it, you save your money until you can get a cabinet saw. Hope you post your cabinets on LumberJocks when you get them completed. A couple of hints on how to work with an inexpensive table saw. Spend a little extra time when you have your fence set at the right distance parallel to the blade and use two F clamps to keep everything in place. A feather board is an inexpensive tool to help keep a straight line straight. If you remove (or break) the splitter, make sure you give the board plenty of room for kick back, and don’t try to catch it. I left a hole in the drywall to remind me of the importance of the splitter and the danger of kick back. Don’t be afraid of taking more then one pass to cut threw a board over an inch. Especially pressure treated lumber which brings me to the next point. Hearing and breathing protection are easy to overlook. The sawdust from pressure-treated wood can irritate the nose, eyes, and skin, and is harmful to ingest. Use a push stick - Some were already discussed, but I use a modified 2 x 6 block With any power tool - be careful. I have always had a table saw. The first was one of those $99 dollar models that could fit in the trunk of my small Chrysler. Now I have a portable contractor’s table saw that easily lifts out of my basement onto the back of my pickup. I highly recommend you buy the best tool you can afford. I use mine on different job sites so weight and portability prevented me from getting a cabinet saw.

For $500 look at the DEWALT DW744S, but for what you decribe you are going to be building I recommend if you have the space to use it, you save your money until you can get a cabinet saw.

Hope you post your cabinets on LumberJocks when you get them completed.

A couple of hints on how to work with an inexpensive table saw.

Spend a little extra time when you have your fence set at the right distance parallel to the blade and use two F clamps to keep everything in place.

A feather board is an inexpensive tool to help keep a straight line straight.

If you remove (or break) the splitter, make sure you give the board plenty of room for kick back, and don’t try to catch it. I left a hole in the drywall to remind me of the importance of the splitter and the danger of kick back.

Don’t be afraid of taking more then one pass to cut threw a board over an inch. Especially pressure treated lumber which brings me to the next point.

Hearing and breathing protection are easy to overlook. The sawdust from pressure-treated wood can irritate the nose, eyes, and skin, and is harmful to ingest.

Use a push stick – Some were already discussed, but I use a modified 2 x 6 block

With any power tool – be careful.

]]> By: The Handyguys http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/297/episode-50-table-saw-guide/#comment-417 The Handyguys Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:39:12 +0000 http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/?p=297#comment-417 Thanks Alton - That's a great tip. Too often some of us just grab a piece of scrap to use as a push stick. Having something made for that purpose, whether home made or purchased, always at hand sure does make things safer. Thanks Alton – That’s a great tip. Too often some of us just grab a piece of scrap to use as a push stick. Having something made for that purpose, whether home made or purchased, always at hand sure does make things safer.

]]> By: housieg http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/297/episode-50-table-saw-guide/#comment-416 housieg Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:21:41 +0000 http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/?p=297#comment-416 Great article, Ive been looking to purchase a new table saw and this helped me narrow down my choices. Great article, Ive been looking to purchase a new table saw and this helped me narrow down my choices.

]]> By: Alton Long http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/297/episode-50-table-saw-guide/#comment-415 Alton Long Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:11:12 +0000 http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/?p=297#comment-415 Because of some close calls on the table saw over the years, I always have a push stick hanging on the table saw near the off/on switch. I start with a 10 inch piece of scrap wood ,that fits in my hand and then cut in a shape of a ducks head with a open mouth on one end. Drill a hole on other end to hand it up on saw. Besides keeping you fingers away from blade,it makes a good hold down for ripping small pieces. Because of some close calls on the table saw over the years, I always have a push stick hanging on the table saw near the off/on switch. I start with a 10 inch piece of scrap wood ,that fits in my hand and then cut in a shape of a ducks head with a open mouth on one end. Drill a hole on other end to hand it up on saw. Besides keeping you fingers away from blade,it makes a good hold down for ripping small pieces.

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