Table saw blade guard, Do you use it?
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I don't use mine. Its removed.
ls1mike
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It depends on what I am cutting. I usually have it on, but if I have to cut something that makes me remove it, I do so.
I removed mine years ago, I pay attention to what I'm doing, I only work with hardwoods "no pitch or pine knots", yet to have a problem, but then I haven't sawed anything in 15 years.
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
No, but I definitely always use a push stick, don't make any risky cuts, and always go into full concentration mode when cutting.
+1
I don't allow anyone around me that could startle me or distract me, unless they are across from me catching the end of a long board.
P.S.( no tasty libations until finished with the saws!)
No, but I definitely always use a push stick, don't make any risky cuts, and always go into full concentration mode when cutting.
+1
I don't allow anyone around me that could startle me or distract me, unless they are across from me catching the end of a long board.
P.S.( no tasty libations until finished with the saws!)
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
No, but I definitely always use a push stick, don't make any risky cuts, and always go into full concentration mode when cutting.
+1
I don't allow anyone around me that could startle me or distract me, unless they are across from me catching the end of a long board.
P.S.( no tasty libations until finished with the saws!)
I see a lot of you feel the same way I do.
As I said, I feel Safer seeing the blade. I have also had occasion when using a saw with a guard, I have had the wood catch on the guard. If this happens there can be a tendency to 'Push through' which can be very dangerous.
The reason this come up, I have been asked to teach someone how to use some shop tools such as a table saw.
I guess I would have to Play safe, put the guard back on, advise him the read the owners manual, were ear defenders (something I don't always do, because I want to Hear the saw)
in other words "Don't do what you have seen me do. Do as I say"
By the way, the picture I used came off the net. I don't feel happy with the location of the guy's right hand. for this I'd rather he had a Push stick, and a Feather edge mounted on a decent fence.
Originally Posted By: JerryBob
No, but I definitely always use a push stick, don't make any risky cuts, and always go into full concentration mode when cutting.
+1
I don't allow anyone around me that could startle me or distract me, unless they are across from me catching the end of a long board.
P.S.( no tasty libations until finished with the saws!)
I see a lot of you feel the same way I do.
As I said, I feel Safer seeing the blade. I have also had occasion when using a saw with a guard, I have had the wood catch on the guard. If this happens there can be a tendency to 'Push through' which can be very dangerous.
The reason this come up, I have been asked to teach someone how to use some shop tools such as a table saw.
I guess I would have to Play safe, put the guard back on, advise him the read the owners manual, were ear defenders (something I don't always do, because I want to Hear the saw)
in other words "Don't do what you have seen me do. Do as I say"
By the way, the picture I used came off the net. I don't feel happy with the location of the guy's right hand. for this I'd rather he had a Push stick, and a Feather edge mounted on a decent fence.
My grandfather was missing the end of a finger due to a table saw(old school one). He was quite a carpenter too enough to build his entire retirement home as reproduction colonial cape himself. Hardly worth it IMHO to look dreadful and have freezing cold fingers in the winter.
I no longer use one as the OEM Grizzly was just a piece of junk. With that said, I used it for years until I was sure everything was set up right & I had gained enough experience. The TS scared me. Even today, it demands a great deal of respect as it will usually win.
25 years of use later though I can still count to ten on my fingers!
25 years of use later though I can still count to ten on my fingers!
I have a Delta Unisaw that was made around 1960 and I do not think it ever had one.
One of my Dad's rules was to always hang your pinky over the rip fence.
One of my Dad's rules was to always hang your pinky over the rip fence.
I know a guy that felt he needed to see the blade while feeding a piece of wood on a table saw with a guard. So he crouched down so he was at eye level to the table as he was feeding!!
He's known around here as One Eye Bill.
You can't fix stupid.
How do you cut Dados or the cheeks of Tenons wit a guard in place?
He's known around here as One Eye Bill.
You can't fix stupid.
How do you cut Dados or the cheeks of Tenons wit a guard in place?
Yes, I use the guard on my saw. My saw has a plastic two-piece guard, so you can still see the blade.
I leave it on all the time except for the times it has to be removed for things like cutting drip edges.
Safety first for me.
That's actually why I picked a brand-new saw over a Craigslist saw. So many on CL are missing the safety equipment.
I leave it on all the time except for the times it has to be removed for things like cutting drip edges.
Safety first for me.
That's actually why I picked a brand-new saw over a Craigslist saw. So many on CL are missing the safety equipment.
I always use mine when cross-cutting, and use the fence/push stick when ripping.
Mine is clear plastic, I usually have it on unless the cut that I'm doing requires removal.
I'm old school. To the comments I'd add start with body position (I'm more comfortable with having my body slightly out of line with the saw blade), good footing and (it was said before) total focus. I like to use a saw sled if possible.
The one on my very old Craftsman is a poor design and needs to be removed for any cut that isn't thru. I have abandoned it. I would love to have one I've seen in several table saw jig books that is suspended from well above, but have not yet built one.
I have mostly stopped ripping with the table saw, in favor of the bandsaw. If I do rip on the table saw, I use a splitter, featherboards and a tool called the 'Gripper'. It is a commercial shoe-type pushstick that has a rubber sole and is designed to carry both keeper and cutoff thru the cut. It acts as a guard as it bridges the blade in use.
My crosscut/mitre setup has a guard that is built on as well.
Kickback is still a possibility. Think your cuts thru, and then think again.
I have mostly stopped ripping with the table saw, in favor of the bandsaw. If I do rip on the table saw, I use a splitter, featherboards and a tool called the 'Gripper'. It is a commercial shoe-type pushstick that has a rubber sole and is designed to carry both keeper and cutoff thru the cut. It acts as a guard as it bridges the blade in use.
My crosscut/mitre setup has a guard that is built on as well.
Kickback is still a possibility. Think your cuts thru, and then think again.
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