Hendrik Varju is a well known furniture designer/craftsman who operates “Passion for Wood” near Toronto, Canada. He also offers woodworking courses and seminars and has been widely published in woodworking magazines in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. In 2007, Hendrik started producing DVD courses and he has offered to provide some of them as prizes in Lumberjocks’ contests. You can see the full list of all of Hendrik’s DVD courses here http://passionforwood.com/woodworking/dvds.htm.
This week, the prize is Hendrik’s second DVD course called “Revelations on Table Saw Set-up & Safety”.
It is nearly 10 hours long and focuses on table saw set-up and fine tuning and how to use the machine safely. It also has a long and detailed bonus section with a step-by-step tutorial on building a crosscut sled. You can read more about this 5-DVD set here: http://passionforwood.com/woodworking/dvds-tablesaw.htm. It is valued at Cdn. $94.95 + taxes and shipping.
To enter this contest, just post a comment giving your answer to this question: “What is the #1 table saw safety tip you would give someone new to woodworking?” Post a comment before Jan. 3/14 and Hendrik will choose his favourite answer. Then we’ll let you know how to claim your prize. Hendrik will ship it directly to your home at no cost to you.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribele, Young Living Wellness )
68 comments so far
CanadianWoodChuck
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402 posts in 4965 days
#1 posted 12-27-2013 10:36 AM
Be sure your table saw is tuned up properly. Blade aligned to miter slot and fence lined up to the blade and miter slot.
-- Wood Chuck (Bruce) http://3dwoodworkingplans.com
stefang
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17040 posts in 4385 days
#2 posted 12-27-2013 10:47 AM
Don’t ever come near the blade with your fingers when the saw is turned on. This means using a push stick or a crosscut sled.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
wbrisett
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205 posts in 3400 days
#3 posted 12-27-2013 11:03 AM
Always use a push stick and never force something through the blade… if there is some resistance when cutting, determine why before proceeding.
... oh and always wear eye protection.
djak
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15 posts in 3402 days
#4 posted 12-27-2013 11:09 AM
After completing a cut on the table saw, never pull your pieces back toward you. Push both pieces pass the blade, turn off the saw and wait for the blade to stop before removing both pieces.
-- Dave - NH
Rustic
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3257 posts in 4647 days
#5 posted 12-27-2013 11:18 AM
Be sure to use all the safety guards, i.e safety glasses, push sticks or blocks, blade guards, etc
-- www.carvingandturningsbyrick.com, Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI
shopdog
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581 posts in 4537 days
#6 posted 12-27-2013 11:41 AM
Never stand directly behind the piece of wood that you’re cutting. Stand off to the side
If it kicks back, you don’t want to be in the flight path.
-- Steve-- http://www.urbanexteriors.biz
Don Butler
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1092 posts in 4447 days
#7 posted 12-27-2013 12:14 PM
Don’t be afraid of the saw, but use every safety precaution at your disposal with great respect for the power of the tool.
-- No trees were damaged in posting this message, but thousands of electrons were seriously inconvenienced.
Howie
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2656 posts in 3974 days
#8 posted 12-27-2013 12:14 PM
Always remember where your hands are.
-- Life is good.
Jim Finn
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2877 posts in 3973 days
#9 posted 12-27-2013 12:24 PM
Keep the fence between you and the blade. Reach over it with a push stick. Any kickback will not hit your body.
-- No PHD just a DD214 Lubbock Texas
ChuckV
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3369 posts in 4578 days
#10 posted 12-27-2013 12:32 PM
Spend some time with a trusted table saw user. It could be a friend, relative or professional instructor.
There is nothing like that immediate feedback.
-- "Join the chorus if you can. It'll make of you an honest man." - I. Anderson
NH_Hermit
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394 posts in 4147 days
#11 posted 12-27-2013 12:45 PM
I unplug mine when changing blades, and always have the blade height no higher the 1/8” above the thickness of the board I am cutting. I also periodically clean and wax the table surface so the piece slides more smoothly. Oh, and not touching that spinning thingie helps too.
-- John from Hampstead
ellen35
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2749 posts in 4484 days
#12 posted 12-27-2013 12:49 PM
Never, EVER, turn on a saw (or other equipment) when you are tired or distracted.
-- "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." Voltaire
mesquite22
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42 posts in 3721 days
#13 posted 12-27-2013 01:14 PM
If you can’t do the cut in a safe way don’t do it at all
DIYaholic
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19921 posts in 3726 days
#14 posted 12-27-2013 01:17 PM
Be sure to read, understand & follow all safety precautions in the manual. Remember to always wear these, safety glasses. (said in my best Norm voice!!!)
Read the manual…
Properly adjust (& maintain) the saw…
Use a sharp blade…
If it feels wrong/unsafe, it IS wrong/unsafe…
read, understand & follow the wisdom, contained within, Hendrik’s second DVD course called “Revelations on Table Saw Set-up & Safety”.
-- Randy-- I may not be good...but I am slow! If good things come to those who wait.... Why is procrastination a bad thing?
hjt
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906 posts in 4189 days
#15 posted 12-27-2013 01:20 PM
Keep your fingers away from the blade and never leave your workshop without them!!
-- Harold
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