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Table saw Help I have fears.

4K views 67 replies 36 participants last post by  kelvancra 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am new to wood working and trying to slowly learn how to use the $7,000 worth of tools I bought 2 years ago.
I was given a used Dewalt DW744 type 2 contractors saw and have yet to set it up to try and use it. I have no clue how much it was used , what it was used for or how old/used the blade is.

I can not get it out of my head that it is unsafe and won't be accurate (aren't contractor saws just for fast rough rip cutting?)

I am not a precision craftsman but I am OCD about learning accuracy. I wasted 4 hours trying to learn to use CorelDraw trying to make a Pickleball (tennis) court clip at with 4 rectangles but because at x16,000 magnification things did not line up perfectly I started over, and over, and….

But my main issue is a general fear of the tool and no clue why, unless it was the kickback YouTube videos I watched.
 
#2 ·
i hate to say it ed but you may have picked the wrong hobby to get into.you should never use any power tool if your that afraid of it.maybe try to find someone that can teach you how to use these tools safely,or maybe take up painting!
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
My advice, find a basic woodworking course or two where you can learn the basics of shoptools and safety. You might volunteer at some local cabinet shop to sweep floors and sand parts in return for shop education.

If you dont know if the blade is sharp, buy a new one, and buy a quality one.

You can do just about anything with hand tools that powertools can do!
 
#5 ·
Fear is a good thing until it builds a wall between us and enjoying the things we can do safely. A minority have been hurt by our power tools, but the vast, vast majority of us enjoy using our tools to pursue the hobby safely. I'm no pro, but I've been building and remodeling for nearly fifty years without mishap, save a tiny cut or scrape here and there. I also use a Dewalt DW744 contrators saw. It may be a Chevy compared to the Ferrari table saws that are available, but it works best for my small shop, and it's easily transportable when I go to work on rental properties that I own. May I suggest starting with a few easy projects, like this birdhouse (https://nestwatch.org/wp-content/themes/nestwatch/birdhouses/western-bluebird.pdf), or one of these (https://www.thedailygardener.com/table-saw-projects). Also, you'll find "The Table Saw Book," by R.J. DeCristoforo very helpful. It's an oldie-published thirty years ago-but to me it remains the best guide for beginners. It spells out in easy-to-understand language how to use the tool safely. Thanks for reaching out to the community. There are many of us who, like you, did not grow up in a house where dad had a workshop, and we had to learn on our own. You'll get there. Just start slow and simple, and you'll be surprised how quickly your skills develop. Good luck.
 
#6 ·
There was a caution and/or a recall notice on your model of saw. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2008/dewalt-recalls-table-saws-due-to-laceration-hazard It seems to be a small problem but worth being aware of.

With careful set up that saw should be quite accurate but it's small table size limits the capacity to cut large pieces of lumber. For a small 10" saw it looks good. If is has a carbide blade that is dull most can be re-sharpened otherwise buy a good quality combination blade (I like Frued's 50 tooth thin kerf combination…about $53 on Amazon) Main safety items are keeping body parts clear of the blade, use push sticks when you can, and being aware of kick backs….don't stand in front of pieces of wood that are between the blade and the fence.

It is a good idea to get a mentor to help you learn the tools uses and hazards.
 
#8 ·
As someone's grandmother said, you want to respect the table saw but not be afraid of it. :)

If it were difficult, millions of people wouldn't be able to use them. Everyone who knows how to use one did it the first time. My first time was a couple of years ago, and if I can do it then anyone can.

You do want to observe the basic safety issues - starting with planning the whole cut before you start so that you don't get stuck in the middle. Also, stand to the side rather than directly behind the wood.

There are lots of YouTube videos about how to use a table saw. I like Steve Ramsey's a lot:

 
#9 ·
Certainly a table saw demands respect and caution. Every tool is really in that category. Some just have greater consequences than others.

Fear is usually overcome with experience. Most people initially have fear of things that they know or believe to be dangerous. I think this is a good starting point. But most of the time that fear goes away with experience.

Also, using a table saw isn't one of those things where hesitation is dangerous. Some things require a full commitment to workout. Worst thing you might do with a table saw, by being hesitant, is burning the wood a bit pushing it too slowly.

I would suggest you take a woodworking class if possible. Or at least get some help from someone with experience. And I think the internet is a great place to find info on safe practices.

And put your OCD to good use. Create a mental checklist of safety procedures and run through that every time. You will make safety mistakes, we all do. But most of the time nothing happens. You just realize after the fact that you did something dumb. Learn from those mistakes.

Often times the loudness of power tools causes a sort of lizard brain response to get away from the loud scary thing. That's a pretty reasonable and common reaction. So try some good ear muffs to cut the noise down. I think you'll find it won't seem as scary that way.

I agree with others, buy yourself a new combination blade for the saw. Get a medium quality, carbide blade. No sense working with a dull tool. A good sharp blade will cut easier and be more safe.
 
#11 ·
Read your bio. First off, thank you for serving.

With that in mind, think of the table saw as the woodworking version of the rifle you had to qualify with in the military. Used correctly, they do the work you want them to do. Used carelessly, the consequences can be disastrous.

The key, as others have said, is training. Learn how to use a table saw safely and correctly, following proper procedures and you will be just fine.
 
#12 ·
First order of business is follow the link above that Ripper left you. If the saw is a problem?

Next I am not sure of the geography of Missouri, but here are woodworking clubs across the country.. They are soup to nuts, most probably have some classes/training to grow the club.

I'd check at Grizzly and see if they had courses/classes there. Most things in woodworking apply to all machines. Fine tuning for yours can be done with the power off once you have an understanding of safe use basics.

Working with tools could be injury prone, but with basic knowledge, and a safe approach to the tools, Millions of people use table saws daily without injury/mishap.
 
#13 ·
How far away is Ft Leonard Wood from you? Maybe arrange a weekend trip to the base….since it is home of the Combat Engineers….maybe arrange a little time in one of the woodshops on base….VA might even arrange it for you…

There is another woodworking site for you to check out…The Patriot Woodworker….as a lot of what they do is helping vets….tell them I sent you.
 
#14 ·
totally agree with others; find a woodworking course and learn to use your tools properly. power tools require your respect, but not your fear. and don't be put off by folks who say you've picked the wrong hobby :)

i can't stress enough, and this from a former sailor: RTFM, DEVELOP A PLAN, AND FULFILL YOUR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. there must be woodworking courses, vo-tech, stores that offer training (woodcraft), or groups of woodworkers in your area. just like rifle quals, you can't just watch then do. you need some hands on with an instructor guiding you.

woodworking can be such a great stress reliever, and you can take great pride in your skills as you progress. i wouldn't even worry about checking your table saw until you've had some training. (kickback occurs when the user is careless or doesn't follow basic safety rules, so don't be careless and follow basic safety rules. it's that simple.)

we fear what we don't know. take your time. develop your skill. if you're not totally sure, ask. you can do this!
 
#15 ·
Depending on what you plan to make out of wood, a saw like that may not be a necessity. I got rid of my table saw because I never used it and it took up too much space. A decent band saw is safer, though not without risk and can do a wide range of tasks. Hand tools are another option. They're much quieter and generally less messy. And if you start to cut off your finger with a hand saw, it will stop cutting.
 
#16 ·
Thank you all for the replies and information. I contacted a local wood turning f]group in the hopes of 1. Getting help setting up my shop and tools (I live alone). And 2. Help learning temper safe use and maintenance of them. But sadly after two years no help. Oh lots of offers to help out when free time is found but no one yet is free. But it is a VERY busy club but mostly for wood lathes. They hold classes, coffee gatherings to share how to turn and such. Out side of that they have 2 - 4 major charities/fund raisers every year that keeps them too busy.

I am about 2 hours fro. Fort Leonard Wood, had not considered that and option.

I worry about letting the VA know I want to learn wood working for extra income for fear of loosing my VA and Social Security Disability. The income side of things are still confusing me as to what I can and can't earn.
 
#17 ·
Thank you all for the replies and information. I contacted a local wood turning f]group in the hopes of 1. Getting help setting up my shop and tools (I live alone). And 2. Help learning temper safe use and maintenance of them. But sadly after two years no help. Oh lots of offers to help out when free time is found but no one yet is free. But it is a VERY busy club but mostly for wood lathes. They hold classes, coffee gatherings to share how to turn and such. Out side of that they have 2 - 4 major charities/fund raisers every year that keeps them too busy.

I am about 2 hours fro. Fort Leonard Wood, had not considered that and option.

I worry about letting the VA know I want to learn wood working for extra income for fear of loosing my VA and Social Security Disability. The income side of things are still confusing me as to what I can and can't earn.

- AstroEd
if you loose your benefits for trying to better yourself may they all go to hell,you gave your life to this country and if that's true ill be ashamed to be an american.may god bless you and you and yours,and thank you for all youve given.
 
#19 · (Edited by Moderator)
Oh? 2 years ago the Social Security office said I can make up to $1,100 BUT as soon as I earned $880 I am put in the right to work program and while on that I can earn unlimited income but if I do so for 9 months within a 5 year period I loose my SSDI.

I have been terrified of loosing my income. Now I read that social security is based on your last 10 years of income. I have not worked in 11+ years until this past year I drove a little for Grubhub and UberEats food deliveries. Earned less than $5000 does this mean I will go from my current $1,100 a month to $10-$20 a month? I might have to quit driving….
 
#20 ·
Oh? 2 years ago the Social Security office said I can make up to $1,100 BUT as soon as I earned $880 I am put in the right to work program and while on that I can earn unlimited income but if I do so for 9 months within a 5 year period I loose my SSDI.

I have been terrified of loosing my income. Now I read that social security is based on your last 10 years of income. I have not worked in 11+ years until this past year I drove a little for Grubhub and UberEats food deliveries. Earned less than $5000 does this mean I will go from my current $1,100 a month to $10-$20 a month? I might have to quit driving….

- AstroEd
yeah according to uncle sam thats more than fair.pretty damn sad when we have a vet more than than willing to help themself and the govenment wanting to keep them down,and pay them barely survivor wages.this would make a good recruitment campaign,give your life and we'll let you work for peanuts with no penalties.as an american im ashamed!
 
#22 ·
I've been making sawdust for fifty years. My first Unisaw sat in the shop for a week, after assembly. I was afraid of it. That fear is my friend. Because of it, I have all my fingers and thumbs. Fear inspires me to use push devices.

On that, it inspires me to move beyond the pathetic push stick and use push shoes instead, because they do a MUCH better job than a simple stick, since they hold down the material at least ten inches back from the edge, lessening the chance of a kickback starting. Of course, they also keep your hands at least eight inches above the material, so about the blade too.

As to a contractor saw being usable for precision work, of course it is. I used my Bosch for months, while I was waiting to get my cabinet saw up and going. I double checked the settings though.

You just have to run hard woods slower on a small saw.
 
#26 · (Edited by Moderator)
Oh? 2 years ago the Social Security office said I can make up to $1,100 BUT as soon as I earned $880 I am put in the right to work program and while on that I can earn unlimited income but if I do so for 9 months within a 5 year period I loose my SSDI.

I have been terrified of loosing my income. Now I read that social security is based on your last 10 years of income. I have not worked in 11+ years until this past year I drove a little for Grubhub and UberEats food deliveries. Earned less than $5000 does this mean I will go from my current $1,100 a month to $10-$20 a month? I might have to quit driving….

- AstroEd
Be careful of this the amount you can earn. If I remember since I'm filing for ssdi right now as we speak you can earn 1220. A month for nine months but I was told to be care of that. Any work can can cancel or delay ssdi.
You have to very careful.?

Me ….I have stage 5 renal…..
 
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