The table saw is a very impressive tool. This basic piece of machinery’s design allows
us to make straight, accurate cuts every time, if the tool is properly maintained. Having
had to produce laborious cuts by hand in the field, I never take my table saw for
granted when I get back to the shop.
In short, I think there should be a basic respect and devotion to maintenance of all
power tools. The difference between an amateur and professional, in my mind, is the
willingness to understand why the tool does what it does, and then care for it.
TABLE SAW ANATOMY
This versatile tool is basically a motor driven arbor connected by a framework to a
table. The table remains in a fixed horizontal position and the arbor tilts. The size
of the saw is determined by the diameter of the blade that’s recommended for use (10"
is the most common size found in the shop). The sawblade works in conjunction with
either a rip fence or a miter gage in normal operation.
The blade can be set for depth and angle (photo 1). There is also an angle adjustment
on the miter gage
which will slide into and along the slots that are milled into the table top (photo 2).
The rip fence has
an incremental lateral adjustment and can be locked once it has been set the desired
distance from the blade (photo 3).
Photo 2: Adjust the miter gage angle.
Photo 3: Set and lock the rip fence.
SAFETY
We must always bear safety in mind. In addition, we must also be in tune with general
safety concerns related to each specific tool’s set of cardinal rules. Never lose respect
for the fact that the table saw is designed primarily to cut wood. It’s a wonderful tool,
but it will never have the ability to distinguish between wood and our fragile bodies.
It’s the operator’s responsibility to determine what is passed through the blade.
A well-adjusted and clean tool in a clutter-free environment contributes to safety.
Sharp blades will certainly
add to your proficiency and safety by diminishing the possibilities of binding or
kickback. I’ve made it a habit never to stand directly behind the blade in case of
kickback, but rather stand to one side or the other, depending upon the operation at
hand.
One very basic rule is to use the guard provided with the saw or one designed to be
used with your saw. Some operations require the removal of the guard, and we should
be aware of the increased danger potential. Read and digest all of the information
provided with the saw. Each one is a little different in terms of design. The fence,
which way the blade tilts, size of the table and horsepower are just some of the
variables that should be paid attention to.
I keep a checklist tacked up by my saw. A quick rundown before each operation
increases proficiency. It also helps to remind me of any particular safety concerns that
may be associated with that operation. A good insurance policy!
CARDINAL RULESCardinal rules are defined as rules of fundamental importance. The cardinal rules for the table saw are as follows:
BASIC RULES TO GOOD OPERATION
There are basic rules of operation that should be practiced. Read all of the information
that you can regarding the operation and use of the table saw before using one for the
first time. With this good educational foundation, the rest will come with time and
experience.
The basic rules to remember include:
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Make a maintenance schedule noting the date of purchase, and the parts to be oiled,
greased or changed (figure 1). This chart should be tacked up in some obvious place
where it won’t be lost or forgotten.
I like to run my maintenance schedules according to actual hours of usage, with the
exception of the
belts. Being made of rubber, these drive belts are prone to deterioration. I change my
belts once each year just to be safe. I clean and lubricate all moving parts after every
ten hours of actual usage. While doing this, I also
check to see if anything needs to be tightened or adjusted. It’s a good idea to note
these adjustments, and any parts that are showing signs of wear on your maintenance
schedule along with the date.
|
Table Saw
Serial Number:
|
||
| Date | Hours of operation | Maintenance notes | |
|
|
DUST COLLECTION SYSTEMS
For a permanent installation of an enclosed base saw, some sort of dust collection
system should be considered. Many relatively inexpensive options can handle this
chore.
The bottom line is to exhaust the dust away from the motor and moving parts each
time the saw is used. The enclosed base is nice in terms of stability, but should never
be allowed to fill with sawdust. All enclosed base saws provide a port somewhere at
the bottom to attach the exhausting tool.
If a formal dust collector isn’t affordable, a simple shop-vac with the proper adapter
can be used. This can be wired directly into the switch of the saw so that it becomes
operational each time the saw is turned on.
ADJUSTMENT AND ALIGNMENT
Because all table saws are made of parts which are bolted and screwed together, these
parts loosen and slip due to vibration. If not checked regularly, this will begin to
manifest itself as inaccuracies in the work. It’s
a good idea to make some occasional spot checks for these inaccuracies along the way.
Methods of adjustment will differ from saw to saw, but the basic relationships of the
parts to each other
all remain the same. Carefully study the owner’s manual for your particular saw. The
basic adjustments are as
follows:
ALIGNMENTSome important relationships will hold true for every table saw. First, the rip fence, the blade and the miter gage slots in the table must all be parallel. Second, the rip fence and miter gage must be at 90 degrees to the table. Third, the throat plate should be flush with the table top. The table top itself should be perfectly flat or none of this will work. I always check the table first with a long straight edge before beginning the alignment process (photo 4).
Once the table has been confirmed flat, I make sure the blade is parallel to the miter gage slots in the table. This is done by raising the blade all the way and placing a three foot ruler against it (photo 5). Make sure that the ruler is lying flat against the blade between the teeth.
Next I simply measure from both the back and the front of the ruler to either slot in the table. If these aren’t parallel, refer back to your owner’s manual to determine how this should be corrected on your saw. All other alignment is based on this relationship, so this must be correct. At this point, I check that the rip fence is parallel to the miter gage slots, and, consequently, to the blade. This can be done by placing a dimensioned stick into one of the slots in the table (photo 6). I move the fence within 1/16" of the stick, then lock it into place.
The space between the stick and the fence should be the same both back and front. If
not, this could cause binding or burning of the cut edge. Every fence and fence guide
system has a means by which this problem may be corrected.
Next I run a quick check with a square to see if the fence and miter gage head both
are perpendicular to the table top (photo 7). If the fence tracking system is installed
correctly, this shouldn’t be a problem. If the
miter gage isn’t perpendicular, I check that the track is clear and that the bottom of the
slide is clean. If these investigations don’t point out the problem, then the tool may be
bent. I might add that I’ve encountered this problem only once in my long career.
Along with this operation, I also check the relationship of the miter gage to the blade with the square. The 90 degrees stop on the gage should be adjusted and set.
THE THROAT PLATEThe throat plate must be flush with the table top. This is checked by placing a straight edge across the table and plate (photo 8). Some manufacturers provide a screw type of adjustment either on the plate or in the table where the plate is inserted. If the plate is designed to fit flush without adjustment and doesn’t, the culprit may be sawdust build- up.
Adjustable plate or not, the sawdust should be cleaned out of this area each time the blade is changed. A plate that isn’t flush can cause a board to "snag" either before or after it has entered the blade.
THE SPLITTER
The splitter, usually part of the guard assembly, is located directly behind the blade.
The space in the board which is removed by the saw blade is called a “kerf.” The
splitter is used to keep the saw-kerf open;
this keeps the wood from binding.
To check the alignment, I raise the blade to maximum height and place the three foot
ruler on each side of the blade and splitter. Make sure that the ruler is against the blade
and not touching the teeth (photo 9). If the ruler touches the splitter on either side, it’s
out of alignment. I will then loosen the connecting bolts and realign the splitter. Once
re-tightened, I will check again with the ruler.
THE BLADE
An efficient blade is a sharp blade. Besides being dangerous, a dull blade can cause
some of the same symptoms as misalignment. As a matter of fact, a dull blade can
cause misalignment to occur.
I don’t recommend that blades be sharpened at home, unless you have the specific
equipment to do
this job. Sharpening sawblades is a task for professionals with proper equipment.
I do recommend that you clean the blades between sharpenings. This can be done
with fine steel wool
and lacquer thinner. Make sure to dry the blade well after cleaning. Then store it in a
safe place where it won’t get dropped, banged or otherwise damaged.
THE ARBOR ASSEMBLY
Depending on your saw type, you will either have a motor pulley to arbor pulley
arrangement, or a motor arbor assembly (direct drive). If your saw contains the pulley
type drive, it’s necessary to check the pulley alignment.
If alignment is needed, this will require the adjustment of the motor via the mounts.
The pulleys themselves should be true. The reasoning here is to avoid unnecessary
stress on the motor or arbor bearings.
If the bearings in the arbor are bad due to wear, they need to be replaced. This will
become evident by the clicking noise produced by bad bearings. If you hear this
unusual noise, check to see if there’s any play in the blade that’s mounted to the arbor.
There should be none whatsoever.
If replacement is needed, check your owner’s manual parts list and replacement
instructions. The saw shouldn’t be used until these have been replaced.
An arbor assembly consists of a threaded shaft with a fixed flange, a washer and a nut
(figure 2). If the fixed flange isn’t true, or has runout, the arbor should be replaced.
This would be evident while observing the blade as it comes to a stop after the
machine has been turned off. If the blade wobbles even slightly there’s a problem. If
this is the case, it’s a good idea to check this again with another blade. If the second
blade runs true, the first blade is probably warped and should be replaced.
The arbor washer distributes the force of the nut and must also be flat and free of any
bumps. This washer should be worked over a flat sharpening stone if there’s any doubt.
CLEANING AND WAXING
Once all of the adjustments are done, and as part of the ongoing maintenance schedule,
the tool should be cleaned and waxed. Use a light oil lubricant and fine steel wool to
clean the table top.
After this has been wiped clean, apply paraffin wax. I also apply this wax to the faces
of both the rip fence
and miter gage. Simply apply it to the surface and then buff it off. This will make the
work glide across all
surfaces, and consequently reduce burning and chattering. It also protects your tool
surfaces from rust. They look good, too!
The material being cut also enters into the equation. For instance, wet lumber not
only could cause binding and serious kickback, but may also damage your saw by rusting
everything below the table top. Extremely warped or twisted wood may cause kickback or
inaccurate cuts if not flat. This type of material can also be the cause of loss of
adjustment. Good common sense should be applied before milling any material.
Excerpted from Tune Up Your Tools: The Woodshop Maintenance Handbook, c1996 by Sal Maccarone, published in March 1996 by Betterway books. Used with permission. This new book shows how to properly maintain every tool in your shop. Order with credit card by calling 1-800-289-0963 or contact Sal for an autographed copy of the book.