[Hawgnutz]

My First Ridgid "Portable" Table Saw

I just read Chip's entry on table saws. They have to be the workhorse of American woodshops.
My journey into what I term "decorative" woodworking started when I purchased my first table saw. It was a Craftsman - on sale - and I bought it to trim a solid door for our old house in Bisbee. (Bisbee is still full of older houses that have those old solid doors with wooden frames for the glass.)

I discovered that it, also, made acceptable miter cuts for frame making. Anyway, that old Craftsman has served me well in my frame-making endeavors, but I have yearned for a better one. One with a full ¾" miter slot, instead of the I-can't-find-a-jig-for-it size that the lower-end Craftsman saw came with. One of the BEST features of the old saw was that tit had casters on the wheels. Living in that turn-of-the-century house (1912), the garage was an added building that was not very big. In fact, I had to roll my table saw outside to cut wood. I used the top of the table saw to clamp my miter saw on and rolled it outside to cut my miters, too.

After we moved, our new house did not have a concrete driveway, so the little casters on the Craftsman table saw often got caught when I wheeled it outside to make a cut. I knew I needed a new saw!

! Did I mention that I use braces and a crutch to walk? That made the table saw on wheels VERY important to me. I have a hard time carrying tools - I only have one hand to carry them in. The other is using the crutch. So, mobile tools are important to me.

When I checked the Home Depot web site, I saw my dream saw…. The Ridgid Jobsite Portable table saw. Its 8" wheels would easily handle the dirt terrain outside my shop. It was even foldable and portable, so I could even take it in the back of my pickup to other locations. Anyway, after months of comparing the Ridgid to other brands, such as Ryobi, Bosch, Craftsman, and a much higher-priced one at my "local" Woodcraft store 100 miles away, I ended up choosing the Ridgid. The simplicity of the folding frame, as well as the lifetime warranty made the decision simple. I now own a Ridgid TS 2400 LS.

I make my first cuts today. I am building a wooden fence around our grass to keep dogs and rabbits out of yard. I will dado and angle cut all the pickets out of 2×3 studs, so the saw will be busy. Once the fence is completed, I am off to using it to build the Thorsen challenge. It has a 90-day satisfaction guaranty, so I will try to put it to the test in the weeks ahead.

Any of you have any experience with Ridgid table saws that I might find useful? Any peculiarities you have found?
Thanks,
Hawg

 

[TheKiltedWoodworker]

My First Ridgid "Portable" Table Saw

I just read Chip's entry on table saws. They have to be the workhorse of American woodshops.
My journey into what I term "decorative" woodworking started when I purchased my first table saw. It was a Craftsman - on sale - and I bought it to trim a solid door for our old house in Bisbee. (Bisbee is still full of older houses that have those old solid doors with wooden frames for the glass.)

I discovered that it, also, made acceptable miter cuts for frame making. Anyway, that old Craftsman has served me well in my frame-making endeavors, but I have yearned for a better one. One with a full ¾" miter slot, instead of the I-can't-find-a-jig-for-it size that the lower-end Craftsman saw came with. One of the BEST features of the old saw was that tit had casters on the wheels. Living in that turn-of-the-century house (1912), the garage was an added building that was not very big. In fact, I had to roll my table saw outside to cut wood. I used the top of the table saw to clamp my miter saw on and rolled it outside to cut my miters, too.

After we moved, our new house did not have a concrete driveway, so the little casters on the Craftsman table saw often got caught when I wheeled it outside to make a cut. I knew I needed a new saw!

! Did I mention that I use braces and a crutch to walk? That made the table saw on wheels VERY important to me. I have a hard time carrying tools - I only have one hand to carry them in. The other is using the crutch. So, mobile tools are important to me.

When I checked the Home Depot web site, I saw my dream saw…. The Ridgid Jobsite Portable table saw. Its 8" wheels would easily handle the dirt terrain outside my shop. It was even foldable and portable, so I could even take it in the back of my pickup to other locations. Anyway, after months of comparing the Ridgid to other brands, such as Ryobi, Bosch, Craftsman, and a much higher-priced one at my "local" Woodcraft store 100 miles away, I ended up choosing the Ridgid. The simplicity of the folding frame, as well as the lifetime warranty made the decision simple. I now own a Ridgid TS 2400 LS.

I make my first cuts today. I am building a wooden fence around our grass to keep dogs and rabbits out of yard. I will dado and angle cut all the pickets out of 2×3 studs, so the saw will be busy. Once the fence is completed, I am off to using it to build the Thorsen challenge. It has a 90-day satisfaction guaranty, so I will try to put it to the test in the weeks ahead.

Any of you have any experience with Ridgid table saws that I might find useful? Any peculiarities you have found?
Thanks,
Hawg

Sorry, man, I do have a Ridgid TS, but it is the contractor style.

The only thing I've found out about the Ridgid TS that really bugs me is that Home Depot doesn't carry any of the accessories for it! You'd think they would carry the zero-clearance inserts, at the very least!

But no - you have to order them from Ridgid. Or just make them yourself.

 

[jstewart]

My First Ridgid "Portable" Table Saw

I just read Chip's entry on table saws. They have to be the workhorse of American woodshops.
My journey into what I term "decorative" woodworking started when I purchased my first table saw. It was a Craftsman - on sale - and I bought it to trim a solid door for our old house in Bisbee. (Bisbee is still full of older houses that have those old solid doors with wooden frames for the glass.)

I discovered that it, also, made acceptable miter cuts for frame making. Anyway, that old Craftsman has served me well in my frame-making endeavors, but I have yearned for a better one. One with a full ¾" miter slot, instead of the I-can't-find-a-jig-for-it size that the lower-end Craftsman saw came with. One of the BEST features of the old saw was that tit had casters on the wheels. Living in that turn-of-the-century house (1912), the garage was an added building that was not very big. In fact, I had to roll my table saw outside to cut wood. I used the top of the table saw to clamp my miter saw on and rolled it outside to cut my miters, too.

After we moved, our new house did not have a concrete driveway, so the little casters on the Craftsman table saw often got caught when I wheeled it outside to make a cut. I knew I needed a new saw!

! Did I mention that I use braces and a crutch to walk? That made the table saw on wheels VERY important to me. I have a hard time carrying tools - I only have one hand to carry them in. The other is using the crutch. So, mobile tools are important to me.

When I checked the Home Depot web site, I saw my dream saw…. The Ridgid Jobsite Portable table saw. Its 8" wheels would easily handle the dirt terrain outside my shop. It was even foldable and portable, so I could even take it in the back of my pickup to other locations. Anyway, after months of comparing the Ridgid to other brands, such as Ryobi, Bosch, Craftsman, and a much higher-priced one at my "local" Woodcraft store 100 miles away, I ended up choosing the Ridgid. The simplicity of the folding frame, as well as the lifetime warranty made the decision simple. I now own a Ridgid TS 2400 LS.

I make my first cuts today. I am building a wooden fence around our grass to keep dogs and rabbits out of yard. I will dado and angle cut all the pickets out of 2×3 studs, so the saw will be busy. Once the fence is completed, I am off to using it to build the Thorsen challenge. It has a 90-day satisfaction guaranty, so I will try to put it to the test in the weeks ahead.

Any of you have any experience with Ridgid table saws that I might find useful? Any peculiarities you have found?
Thanks,
Hawg

Don't forget… to get the lifetime waranty you have to register your tool and submit proof of purchase. According to the Ridgid website, you only have 90 days from proof of purchase to do this step. So don't forget.

 

[gizmodyne]

My First Ridgid "Portable" Table Saw

I just read Chip's entry on table saws. They have to be the workhorse of American woodshops.
My journey into what I term "decorative" woodworking started when I purchased my first table saw. It was a Craftsman - on sale - and I bought it to trim a solid door for our old house in Bisbee. (Bisbee is still full of older houses that have those old solid doors with wooden frames for the glass.)

I discovered that it, also, made acceptable miter cuts for frame making. Anyway, that old Craftsman has served me well in my frame-making endeavors, but I have yearned for a better one. One with a full ¾" miter slot, instead of the I-can't-find-a-jig-for-it size that the lower-end Craftsman saw came with. One of the BEST features of the old saw was that tit had casters on the wheels. Living in that turn-of-the-century house (1912), the garage was an added building that was not very big. In fact, I had to roll my table saw outside to cut wood. I used the top of the table saw to clamp my miter saw on and rolled it outside to cut my miters, too.

After we moved, our new house did not have a concrete driveway, so the little casters on the Craftsman table saw often got caught when I wheeled it outside to make a cut. I knew I needed a new saw!

! Did I mention that I use braces and a crutch to walk? That made the table saw on wheels VERY important to me. I have a hard time carrying tools - I only have one hand to carry them in. The other is using the crutch. So, mobile tools are important to me.

When I checked the Home Depot web site, I saw my dream saw…. The Ridgid Jobsite Portable table saw. Its 8" wheels would easily handle the dirt terrain outside my shop. It was even foldable and portable, so I could even take it in the back of my pickup to other locations. Anyway, after months of comparing the Ridgid to other brands, such as Ryobi, Bosch, Craftsman, and a much higher-priced one at my "local" Woodcraft store 100 miles away, I ended up choosing the Ridgid. The simplicity of the folding frame, as well as the lifetime warranty made the decision simple. I now own a Ridgid TS 2400 LS.

I make my first cuts today. I am building a wooden fence around our grass to keep dogs and rabbits out of yard. I will dado and angle cut all the pickets out of 2×3 studs, so the saw will be busy. Once the fence is completed, I am off to using it to build the Thorsen challenge. It has a 90-day satisfaction guaranty, so I will try to put it to the test in the weeks ahead.

Any of you have any experience with Ridgid table saws that I might find useful? Any peculiarities you have found?
Thanks,
Hawg

I have this saw and like it. I am planning to upgrade but I have done tons of work with it. If you go the ridgid site and search their forums you will fine lots of people who own the saw and have made interesting modifications.

 

[Hawgnutz]

My First Ridgid "Portable" Table Saw

I just read Chip's entry on table saws. They have to be the workhorse of American woodshops.
My journey into what I term "decorative" woodworking started when I purchased my first table saw. It was a Craftsman - on sale - and I bought it to trim a solid door for our old house in Bisbee. (Bisbee is still full of older houses that have those old solid doors with wooden frames for the glass.)

I discovered that it, also, made acceptable miter cuts for frame making. Anyway, that old Craftsman has served me well in my frame-making endeavors, but I have yearned for a better one. One with a full ¾" miter slot, instead of the I-can't-find-a-jig-for-it size that the lower-end Craftsman saw came with. One of the BEST features of the old saw was that tit had casters on the wheels. Living in that turn-of-the-century house (1912), the garage was an added building that was not very big. In fact, I had to roll my table saw outside to cut wood. I used the top of the table saw to clamp my miter saw on and rolled it outside to cut my miters, too.

After we moved, our new house did not have a concrete driveway, so the little casters on the Craftsman table saw often got caught when I wheeled it outside to make a cut. I knew I needed a new saw!

! Did I mention that I use braces and a crutch to walk? That made the table saw on wheels VERY important to me. I have a hard time carrying tools - I only have one hand to carry them in. The other is using the crutch. So, mobile tools are important to me.

When I checked the Home Depot web site, I saw my dream saw…. The Ridgid Jobsite Portable table saw. Its 8" wheels would easily handle the dirt terrain outside my shop. It was even foldable and portable, so I could even take it in the back of my pickup to other locations. Anyway, after months of comparing the Ridgid to other brands, such as Ryobi, Bosch, Craftsman, and a much higher-priced one at my "local" Woodcraft store 100 miles away, I ended up choosing the Ridgid. The simplicity of the folding frame, as well as the lifetime warranty made the decision simple. I now own a Ridgid TS 2400 LS.

I make my first cuts today. I am building a wooden fence around our grass to keep dogs and rabbits out of yard. I will dado and angle cut all the pickets out of 2×3 studs, so the saw will be busy. Once the fence is completed, I am off to using it to build the Thorsen challenge. It has a 90-day satisfaction guaranty, so I will try to put it to the test in the weeks ahead.

Any of you have any experience with Ridgid table saws that I might find useful? Any peculiarities you have found?
Thanks,
Hawg

Thanks for the tip on the Ridgid forums. I wil check that out.

As for Home Depot not carrying any parts, you can order them through the Special Service desk. I just did this with a dado insert-at less cost than through Ridgid site. Grizzly has zero clearance inserts for the Ridgid 2400 made after 2003.

I have already registered and sent my proof of ownership in. Thanks for the heads up on that. I wonder how many people miss that.

 

[Drew1House]

My First Ridgid "Portable" Table Saw

I just read Chip's entry on table saws. They have to be the workhorse of American woodshops.
My journey into what I term "decorative" woodworking started when I purchased my first table saw. It was a Craftsman - on sale - and I bought it to trim a solid door for our old house in Bisbee. (Bisbee is still full of older houses that have those old solid doors with wooden frames for the glass.)

I discovered that it, also, made acceptable miter cuts for frame making. Anyway, that old Craftsman has served me well in my frame-making endeavors, but I have yearned for a better one. One with a full ¾" miter slot, instead of the I-can't-find-a-jig-for-it size that the lower-end Craftsman saw came with. One of the BEST features of the old saw was that tit had casters on the wheels. Living in that turn-of-the-century house (1912), the garage was an added building that was not very big. In fact, I had to roll my table saw outside to cut wood. I used the top of the table saw to clamp my miter saw on and rolled it outside to cut my miters, too.

After we moved, our new house did not have a concrete driveway, so the little casters on the Craftsman table saw often got caught when I wheeled it outside to make a cut. I knew I needed a new saw!

! Did I mention that I use braces and a crutch to walk? That made the table saw on wheels VERY important to me. I have a hard time carrying tools - I only have one hand to carry them in. The other is using the crutch. So, mobile tools are important to me.

When I checked the Home Depot web site, I saw my dream saw…. The Ridgid Jobsite Portable table saw. Its 8" wheels would easily handle the dirt terrain outside my shop. It was even foldable and portable, so I could even take it in the back of my pickup to other locations. Anyway, after months of comparing the Ridgid to other brands, such as Ryobi, Bosch, Craftsman, and a much higher-priced one at my "local" Woodcraft store 100 miles away, I ended up choosing the Ridgid. The simplicity of the folding frame, as well as the lifetime warranty made the decision simple. I now own a Ridgid TS 2400 LS.

I make my first cuts today. I am building a wooden fence around our grass to keep dogs and rabbits out of yard. I will dado and angle cut all the pickets out of 2×3 studs, so the saw will be busy. Once the fence is completed, I am off to using it to build the Thorsen challenge. It has a 90-day satisfaction guaranty, so I will try to put it to the test in the weeks ahead.

Any of you have any experience with Ridgid table saws that I might find useful? Any peculiarities you have found?
Thanks,
Hawg

Rigid tools are made by other companies… I am not sure about the saw but the planer is great… It is a 2 knife version of the Dewalt… I have several rigid hand tools I really enjoy… I have ordered parts for my Hitatchi compressor and nail guns though contractor services many times… My brother is the general manager for the one around here and the one thing I can say is if you get to know someone who works there ask them to watch for sales on whatever you are planning to purchase and have them call you when it comes up for sale. I have had a rigid 14 volt cordless drill that I drove over with my truck and it works fine but got their bag of tools in december (18V) and got a recip saw, a jigsaw, a circular saw, a flashlight and a light hammer drill and 2 batteries and the bag for them in December when they changed that package to another package for less than $300.

Drew

Interesting that black and decker own dewalt and now own porter cable and Delta… I know an executive with Black and Decker… many of them are moving out here from Florida… Dunno why…

 

[dave729]

My First Ridgid "Portable" Table Saw

I just read Chip's entry on table saws. They have to be the workhorse of American woodshops.
My journey into what I term "decorative" woodworking started when I purchased my first table saw. It was a Craftsman - on sale - and I bought it to trim a solid door for our old house in Bisbee. (Bisbee is still full of older houses that have those old solid doors with wooden frames for the glass.)

I discovered that it, also, made acceptable miter cuts for frame making. Anyway, that old Craftsman has served me well in my frame-making endeavors, but I have yearned for a better one. One with a full ¾" miter slot, instead of the I-can't-find-a-jig-for-it size that the lower-end Craftsman saw came with. One of the BEST features of the old saw was that tit had casters on the wheels. Living in that turn-of-the-century house (1912), the garage was an added building that was not very big. In fact, I had to roll my table saw outside to cut wood. I used the top of the table saw to clamp my miter saw on and rolled it outside to cut my miters, too.

After we moved, our new house did not have a concrete driveway, so the little casters on the Craftsman table saw often got caught when I wheeled it outside to make a cut. I knew I needed a new saw!

! Did I mention that I use braces and a crutch to walk? That made the table saw on wheels VERY important to me. I have a hard time carrying tools - I only have one hand to carry them in. The other is using the crutch. So, mobile tools are important to me.

When I checked the Home Depot web site, I saw my dream saw…. The Ridgid Jobsite Portable table saw. Its 8" wheels would easily handle the dirt terrain outside my shop. It was even foldable and portable, so I could even take it in the back of my pickup to other locations. Anyway, after months of comparing the Ridgid to other brands, such as Ryobi, Bosch, Craftsman, and a much higher-priced one at my "local" Woodcraft store 100 miles away, I ended up choosing the Ridgid. The simplicity of the folding frame, as well as the lifetime warranty made the decision simple. I now own a Ridgid TS 2400 LS.

I make my first cuts today. I am building a wooden fence around our grass to keep dogs and rabbits out of yard. I will dado and angle cut all the pickets out of 2×3 studs, so the saw will be busy. Once the fence is completed, I am off to using it to build the Thorsen challenge. It has a 90-day satisfaction guaranty, so I will try to put it to the test in the weeks ahead.

Any of you have any experience with Ridgid table saws that I might find useful? Any peculiarities you have found?
Thanks,
Hawg

I bought a TS2400LS a couple of weeks ago to replace a decade-old $99 benchtop. It was between a similarly priced craftsman prtable (Ryobi) and the Ridgid, but the reviews about ruggedness and withstanding banging around drove me to the RIdgid.

I love it-the precision to be able to rip trim to consistent exact widths I need in working on my pre-WW1 house is incredible compared tomy old saw. I was initially very disappointed with the dust blow back from the blade insert until I found an article on the web (maybe here?) that pointed to the plastic ribs in the dust discharge port that were supposedly mandated by UL. Regardless, the ribs are now gone and dust flies freely out the port!

Pros:
Innovative "tape measure" extending scale on right extension
Great fence-doesn't budge
On-board storage for fence, miter, blade guard, blade wrenches, even extra blades
Cut marker that shows the exact kerf for the blade you are using, ahead of the blade
Decent blade
Easily removeable blade guard/splitter-no tools!
Super portable-I have to use this outside and I can get the saw down the steps from my storage shedd easily and not have to readjust anything!
Very stable

Cons
Dust handling/collection could still be better
Switch location (although I can find it most of the time after a week or so of using)

I probably dont know enough about decent table saws to give more cons, but from an initial upgradere perspective, this is a wonderful saw. I put it up there with my power nailers as tsomething I shouldve bought years ago.

 

[brownkm]

My First Ridgid "Portable" Table Saw

I just read Chip's entry on table saws. They have to be the workhorse of American woodshops.
My journey into what I term "decorative" woodworking started when I purchased my first table saw. It was a Craftsman - on sale - and I bought it to trim a solid door for our old house in Bisbee. (Bisbee is still full of older houses that have those old solid doors with wooden frames for the glass.)

I discovered that it, also, made acceptable miter cuts for frame making. Anyway, that old Craftsman has served me well in my frame-making endeavors, but I have yearned for a better one. One with a full ¾" miter slot, instead of the I-can't-find-a-jig-for-it size that the lower-end Craftsman saw came with. One of the BEST features of the old saw was that tit had casters on the wheels. Living in that turn-of-the-century house (1912), the garage was an added building that was not very big. In fact, I had to roll my table saw outside to cut wood. I used the top of the table saw to clamp my miter saw on and rolled it outside to cut my miters, too.

After we moved, our new house did not have a concrete driveway, so the little casters on the Craftsman table saw often got caught when I wheeled it outside to make a cut. I knew I needed a new saw!

! Did I mention that I use braces and a crutch to walk? That made the table saw on wheels VERY important to me. I have a hard time carrying tools - I only have one hand to carry them in. The other is using the crutch. So, mobile tools are important to me.

When I checked the Home Depot web site, I saw my dream saw…. The Ridgid Jobsite Portable table saw. Its 8" wheels would easily handle the dirt terrain outside my shop. It was even foldable and portable, so I could even take it in the back of my pickup to other locations. Anyway, after months of comparing the Ridgid to other brands, such as Ryobi, Bosch, Craftsman, and a much higher-priced one at my "local" Woodcraft store 100 miles away, I ended up choosing the Ridgid. The simplicity of the folding frame, as well as the lifetime warranty made the decision simple. I now own a Ridgid TS 2400 LS.

I make my first cuts today. I am building a wooden fence around our grass to keep dogs and rabbits out of yard. I will dado and angle cut all the pickets out of 2×3 studs, so the saw will be busy. Once the fence is completed, I am off to using it to build the Thorsen challenge. It has a 90-day satisfaction guaranty, so I will try to put it to the test in the weeks ahead.

Any of you have any experience with Ridgid table saws that I might find useful? Any peculiarities you have found?
Thanks,
Hawg

Congrats!

I've had my Ridgid 2400 for about 2 years. It's my first TS, so I don't have much to compare it too, but I have a hard time finding anything to complain about. The base is sturdy, it churns through plywood like a dream, and with a good Rip blade I have no trouble ripping 4/4 oak or maple down to size for my 6" jointer (also Ridgid). Plus, if a snowstorm is coming and I need to get my car in the garage, just fold it up and push it against the wall.

My sister wanted some built-in shelves at her house… so I loaded the Ridgid into my truck, and basically moved my shop to her garage for a few weeks. Very nice!

Best thing I did for mine was to build an out-feed table - it's so much safer and easier to use, since the saw top is kinda small to begin with. You can check it out here: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/5608

I think the only thing that would improve it would be a better blade guard and riving knife, like is on the new Bosch - the guard on the Ridgid (like every other portable guard at the time), is kinda flimsy and a bit of a pain to remove if you have an outfeed table, since you have to reach behind the saw to do it.

I'm planning on building a panel sled soon, which should help as well.

 

[Hawgnutz]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

 

[Dorje]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

Sorry you had to experience it at all - but we all do it, don't we!

 

[Jojo]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

Ouch! That… is… scary. I guess among us woodworkers there're those who have experienced it and those who will.

From your text it seems that you didn't place any kind of outfeed table and that could be the cause -or at least a contributing factor- of the accident. With hindsight, could you help us guessing how this could have been prevented?

A priori dados seem to be quite safe to cut but I guess we can never be too careful.

Take care and don't go into (or should I say out to?) the shop if you don't feel like, or are overstressed by the injury.

 

[markrules]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

And at least it didn't grab your ring and take the finger with it. I've seen pictures of that…. I'd say you got off lucky!

 

[MsDebbieP]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

that is just … gruesome .. ewww.

Jojo has a good point: what are the "lessons learned" warnings for us to learn from.

 

[gizmodyne]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

Yikes!. Thankfully it wasn't worst. Work safe Hawg.

 

[Chipncut]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

I'm sorry you had that bad accident. You're lucky, it could have been a lot worse though.

 

[TreeBones]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

We are all glad that this turned out to be a minor instead of a major setback. Every time I turn on my table saw I get a tinge of fear and I hope this is what has helped me to have no scars from this most important tool. Always safety first. Thanks for sharing this and I hope it results in a safer future for all.

 

[Hawgnutz]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

Yes, it COULD have been much worse. Like Mark said, if it did grab my ring. Never thought about that. Maybe I need to take it off when I work with power tools. It's the little things like that you sometimes overlook until the disaster happens.

As far as outfeed tables go, I am using a "portable" table saw in my dirt driveway. I need to make a portable outfeed table or just learn to drop it in the dirt.

Upon further reflection I think I made three major mistakes in my cutting.
1) I had a beveled edge at the end of my cut (see picture). That allowed the board to 'rotate' off the fence and bind on the blade. It should have been on the leading edge, then I would not have to worry about rotating the board with my push stick.
2) I had the featherboard in FRONT of the blade, like I would rip cut. This position is crucial when ripping to prevent board from getting pinched and binding on blade, but with dadoes, I am thinking it should have been directly opposite the blade, preventing any rotation of the board.
3) Keep my hands BEHIND the blade. This injury happened because I had my hand behind the blade feeding board through. I should have used my push stick that extends in front of the hand.

Another potential problem I had was that I had gotten too complacent with cutting dadoes and I was doing a smal-scale mass production of domino holders. When you have a 1/2" stacked dado, there is a LOT of mass spinning on that arbor! A lot of orportunity for disaster.

NEVER GET COMPLACENT WITH POWER TOOLS!

Anyway, after a few days off to heal, I will be back at the same table saw designing some sort of outfeed table and a better dado atachment for my fence! I will be working a LOT safer, too! No complacency!

God Has Blessed Me,
Hawg

 

[Partridge]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

Hope you get better fast.
we all tend to get to conferable with power tools and forget the basics…. I when to several TS safety classes and 3 of the top things they reaped : good push stick, out feed table, and stand of to the side out thing trapped between fence.

I will take your photo and hang it near the saw to remind me to stay on my toes.

Godbless

 

[Hawgnutz]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

Thanks, Partridge. I was using a good push stick, just not the best one to use with dadoes. I stood off to the side, too, but I did not have an outfeed table. (It is on the top priority on my next shop project, though!)

God Bless,
Hawg

 

[Treefarmer]

Be careful when cutting Dados!!

I have done it hundreds of times-making repetitive cuts on table saw-and I am sure you have too. But NEVER get complacent using a table saw!

There I was cutting a doado in a length of soft cedar, guiding it on past the blades, when it bound up and shot back! When it did, it not only broke my newer fetherboard, propeled the board back into my truck tailgate, but it also drew the push block-with my hand-back over the spinning dado blade.

Here is the board.


I was using a featherboard to keep board against fence and using a pushblock to apply pressure as it went over the dado blades. I was at the end iof the board and I hesitated just a moment, trying to figure a way to keep the board from falling down to the dirt when all hell broke loose. The board flung back and I thought I felt it hitting my little finger on my left hand. I was noy until I was picking up the pieces of my broken featherboard that I noticed blood on the ground. I looked at my finger and it did not look good!

Here's what my finger looked like at the site:


Here are the new featherboard and the push board. (Note groove in push board. This is what gave me the first inkling that the blade, not the board had hit my finger.)


Well, after being told by the local ER that it would be about 5 hours until they saw me, I had my son drive me 30 miles back to Bisbee, and I was seen in 10 minutes. After the wound was soaked and cleaned of all teh blood, you could tell that the dado blade had hit it for sure!
Here's what it looked like at the Emergency Room:


I still will cut al the daoes in the wood to fill a project I contrated for, but I will make me a "safer" push block, sorta like the medievel sword shields, and keep my hands in front of the blades whenever I cut dadoes!

I can only thank my Lord for protecting me from really serious injury! God is so Good!!
Anyway, I have 9 stitches and will have to use a splint on little finger for about a week or so. So, nothing too serious. Just another lesson of hard knocks. We all have them to share!

Be Carefull!
God Bless,
Hawg

Thanks for the lesson Hawg. I need to go make an outfeed table now.

BTW….you might want to try using Photobucket.com for your online photos. They make it easy to paste in the html code for your photos. One click and it copies the code to your clipboard for easy pasting into your blogs.

Heal well!