Click "Read more" to see all of the tool links. Watch Next: US Government Wants to Change Table Saws FOREVER! ua-cam.com/video/kb6LRfGhr_g/v-deo.htmlsi=s8GgpEUltw6hxBO9 Build a woodworking business without expensive tools or a big budget. Learn more about my coaching program - sawduststartups.com Tools in this Video: MicroJig GRR-RIPPER - amzn.to/3SnZ8p3 Bow Xtender Fence - amzn.to/3uoXNX9 Bow Xtender Fence Clamps - amzn.to/3Ow8ON0 Bow Xtender Infeed/Outfeed Supports - lddy.no/1j420 Bow Push Stick - lddy.no/1j3x9 Thin Rip Jig - amzn.to/3uooTOb Budget Saw Blade I Recommend - lddy.no/1j3xw Mid Tier Saw Blade - lddy.no/1j3xx Top Tier Saw Blade - lddy.no/1j3xy Incra V27 Miter Gauge - amzn.to/3vZBM1I Safer Cross Cut Sled Plans - www.731woodworks.com/store/safesled 1-2-3 Set Up Blocks - amzn.to/42sp0oh iGauging Square - amzn.to/3SH8kX5 Combination Square - amzn.to/3wcfLwo Tourniquet - amzn.to/4fLXNDv Safety Glasses - amzn.to/3SsObmp RZ Mask (new M3 model) - amzn.to/48155hI RZ Mask M2 - amzn.to/3HJzciL Hearing Protection - amzn.to/483GM2o Allred Woodworks Push Stick (use the contact form, he will email plans) allredwoodworks.com T-Shirt I'm Wearing - bit.ly/4bqz2uc How to Apply a Tourniquet - ua-cam.com/video/wWVne7cUrm8/v-deo.html Stop the Bleed FREE Online Course - www.stopthebleed.org/training/online-course/ Table Saws I Recommend - Skil 10-inch Table Saw - amzn.to/3HH7MKy DeWALT Jobsite Saw - amzn.to/3uizIBo SawStop 3HP PCS (saw I have) - amzn.to/3ulSw2x SawStop Jobsite Saw - amzn.to/3UtGRt8 Milwaukee Cordless Table Saw - thetoolnut.sjv.io/rQyeXv The full list of tools and supplies I recommend can be found on my website: www.731woodworks.com/recommended-tools Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks Join the TUBAFOUR NATION through Patreon to get access to exclusive member only behind the scenes videos, member only livestreams, exclusive discounts, and other cool member only perks! www.patreon.com/731woodworks If you use one of these Amazon and other affiliate links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases. Greatest Free Gift I've Ever Received: story4.us/731Woodworks Some other useful links: Daily Tool Deals on my website: www.731woodworks.com/tool-deals Subscribe to our email Newsletter to get new content alerts, sales, and more! mailchi.mp/7e44c16eefdc/731-woodworks-email-newsletter Easy to Follow Build Plans - www.731woodworks.com/store Outlaw's Board Butter - So Good it Should be Outlawed: www.731woodworks.com/store/boardbutter
Perfect job on the video! I'm very scared of table Saws, I'm using them, all cautious each time I make cuts! But your video is just perfect, and I'm glad you tackled the safety of the table saw! Well, done, sir!
Really good, basic safety. Makes a great argument for building table saws designed for left-handed people. I stand to the right ofy fence. Like most things I'm life, it's ok, if I need to cheat on safety since I'm a lefty!
I have been a professional wood worker for 30 years and I would suggest this video to anyone as a refresher for the pro and for the beginner. Thanks, Bruce
@@wulf67 People do dumb things all the time - even the pros. Sometimes a "silly" reminder is all one needs to avoid catastrophe, stop and think. It's why law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, military, and other similar professionals take "refresher" courses over and over and over again...
I always watch the safety videos. The accident videos too even though it's difficult. Doesn't matter if it's stuff I know. I'd rather that be beat into my head. I have a healthy fear of my saw and the last thing I want to do is get complacent.
I teach tablesaws and tablesaw safety. This is the best, most comprehensive and accurate tablesaw safety video I have seen. You cover everything plus a little more. Excellent job!
Great video! My 6th grade shop teacher explained that the height of the table saw blade above the work should equal the amount of blade that you want to go into your hand! I have been following that advice for 45 years.
Agreed. I’m a first aid and stop the bleeding instructor and keep a basic trauma kit in my motorcycle bag, vehicle, work truck, first responder backpack (Park Ranger), and in my camper. I never thought to have it in the workshop, despite the obvious hazards. I’m going to move a kit there this morning. Fantastic video and I just subscribed.
Hi from Australia. I have been a keen woodworker for 45 years and I use my tablesaw daily. This is the best safety / usage video I have ever watched. Really, really good, and a 'must watch" for anyone who uses this tool. I am still nursing a massive bruise on my ribs after I became complacent a few weeks ago.... I knew that what I was doing was "suss", but went ahead anyway. Never again!! Thank you.
One of the best, perhaps *the* best videos I've ever seen in my life. Sixty six years old and I'm still learning, with the help of people like this. Thank you!!
This is by far the best table saw safety video out there. Not only do you state the dangers and how to fix it, you say what could happen, you reinforce thought processes and internal conversations we have with ourselves like cutting something freehand - "this is not allowed" - people need to say that in their head when they're thinking of doing it. You really hammered home all of the points extremely well. Great video.
I don't cut freehand, but I know carpenters who do it all the time and never get hurt. One key to accidents is most saws are overpowered. The guys I have seen do it are running dry wood through a saw with maybe 3/4 hp motors. 3 and 5 HP saws will kill you, but those are not really necessary in most shops. and they certainly aren't going to be carried to a job site.
@@tacticalskiffs8134 Why would you even put that Idea in someone's head?? A 3/4 hp saw is plenty powerful enough to kick back. Plus depending the position of the hand when it happens it can pull the hand into the blade. If the blade has enough power to cut wood it has enough to cut flesh and bone. Like I said Very bad way of thinking!!!!! Besides the Idea behind a table saw is to make precise cuts. If you want to free hand use a bandsaw or something more forgiving!!!
Man, thank you so much for this. I searched for 'tabel saw safety 101' and this popped up. I just moved into a house with a large garage. So I'm setting up a shop and getting after it. I'm a big fan of counting to 10 without having to take off my shoes. So this has given me some great safety fundamentals to follow on the table saw
I've been an on again/off again hobbyist woodworker since I was young, helping my dad in the shop. There's not really anything new here that I haven't already figured out myself or been taught, except having a tourniquet handy, that's not something I had ever even considered, but seeing all these safety tips put together in one concise video is definitely a good refresher and I'd go so far as to say this should be a must watch for anyone getting into woodworking or for any parent to show their kids that want to help them in the shop. Even after working with table saws, miter saws, radial arm saws, etc. for 50+ years, I still get flutters in my stomach when I fire one up. A healthy dose of fear can make the difference between having all your fingers left at the end of the day or not.
As an experienced woodworker, your video is full of great reminders. I believe all woodworkers would benefit from watching it - no matter how experienced. Another reason to watch your video is that it is comprehensive - meaning you really touched on everything I could think of. Thank you so much!
Thank you for the great safety information. I am an airline pilot and one of the ways that stay safe is risk management... identify what the risks are and mitigate with planning... exactly what you are doing where. I do not like using a table saw, but sometimes it is the tool to got get the job done. When I do use the table saw, I approach it like a preflight. NO lose clothing, clean floor with no slip hazard around the saw, cutting material laid out and easy to access, push stick close by and easy to grab, make sure that my wife is home and she knows that I am using the table saw, ETC.. Your video has added some great tips to the "preflight." Thanks again for the great content... and thanks for making me spend another $100? (LOL)! Keep up the great work.
Female UK Diyer who is finally getting her home next month which has a garage so can build my workshop. I want to get a table saw but they scare me. I would have loved to buy the saw stop but they don't seem to sell in the UK, so I always binge on these videos to get some tips. If I get a table saw, would be a compact one, maybe Dewalt, Bosch ect. But one thing for sure, I need my fingers, I value my body parts to screw around with some shortcuts. Respect your tools and don't take shortcuts.
I have used a table saw for 50 years started in wood shop at 16 now I am 66., I have owned three saws a real cheap one , small craftsman cast iron and a few years ago bought bought a forty year old large cast iron craftsman. I been bit at least three times with kick back. I don’t have a riving knife or blade guard but use wood spacers on long board and feather-board to minimize kickback. But I am very careful but the credit for not knicking a finger was Mr. Friend my wood shop teacher. Take classes and listen and practice what a good instructor teaches. Thanks Mr. Friend!
I would suggest getting a tablesaw with as big of a top as possible to fit in your space. Every inevitably cuts wood larger the table. Consider whatever you buy, build into its own cabinet/bench. Take a look at this channel. Over the years she has scaled up to better tools, but always keep the DIYer in mind. IN one video she provided multiple to join boards. ua-cam.com/video/22oqr6o5z-w/v-deo.htmlsi=6pCIaz2HZs3lu9bO
I am just a hobbyist and probably pull out the table saw just a few times a year. But I try to be hyper focused on the safety aspects every time I do. There was nothing in this video that I did not already know and follow. That said, it was excellent, and I NEVER tire of watching these sorts of instructions. It never hurts to be reminded of your safety checklist over and over again. Pilots use a written checklist every time they take the controls in a plane, no matter how many times they have flown, even if they do it every day for a living. Thank you and keep it up.
Matt, I’ve been a supporter of your videos since I started this hobby three years ago. I’m a small-town pastor and really just appreciate you. For what it’s worth, though I watch each of your videos, it’s good to see you teaching again. I always appreciated your “how to” videos, and this is another “how to (and not to)” that is instructive. Blessings, and thank you.
I'm a typical DIY guy and not a construction professional, so I greatly appreciate this video. I guarantee you've saved me a few trips to the hospital here, and a few appendages that I prefer to keep intact. Thank you!
If it doesn't feel right in your mind leave that cut behind, every one and I mean every one of your tips are 100 percent SPOT ON I've worked with wood for 50 years and kept all those tips on my mind and (knock on wood), I've never been cut! I want to thank you for your advise, the words of my first and last shop teacher! God bless, Ralphie
Great video. I've been using a table saw since I was 18. I'm 52 now. I've always tried to be safe. Another rule that is probably worth adding and probably should go without saying is if you wouldn't do it while driving, don't do it while using power tools. In other words, don't drink and cut. Don't cut drunk. Don't cut while you are sleepy. Don't cut while you are distracted. Don't cut while you are playing on your phone. Don't text while cutting. Avoid wood rage. If that piece of wood doesn't work out like you wanted, or the cut is going really slow, getting mad about it is just going to make you do something stupid and cause an accident. Anyway, I see some Festool tracks on the wall there. How are those hanging up? I have an 8+ foot track that I want to hang horizontally on my wall like that.
Thanks for your genuine care for our safety. I've been doing woodworking and construction projects for years. Carelessness has caused me to injure my pushing hand twice due to kickback. Now at 71 mental acuity is not what it once was so I have to be extra vigilant with safety. Videos like this one are a great refresher on the subject. Stay safe and enjoy building and creating.
I am really glad to see you mention tourniquets, I feel like that isn't talked about enough. I get it, it's not pleasant to think about, and like many things, a lot of people think "it'll never happen to me" but unfortunately some of them are wrong. Many people also tend to overlook the fact that if the tool can cut hardwoods, or aluminum and other non-ferrous metals with the right blade, and cut them quickly - it can cut clean through you with ease if given the opportunity (SawStop not withstanding) One thing to note about practicing with tourniquets - make it a point to practice applying them to both sides (meaning using your left hand to apply one to your right arm and vice versa) because when you need to do everything backwards from how you practiced is not a good time to learn...
Really? I know about how Ts saved all kinds of lives in the sandbox. But with a TS just what exactly are you cutting off that will cause that level of arterial bleeding. Gunshot wounds easy. Maybe even a drastic bandsaw accident. Certainly a bad chisel accident, But a TS?
@@tacticalskiffs8134 TS wrist and forearms. But you have it for all possible accidents, like a circular saw hitting your leg. Inside of your theigh runs a major artery.
It's not comfortable buying tourniquets, but I'm convinced that I'll buy a few tourniquets! Just because if I have then, there will be less chances that I'll need then. But if I don't own tourniquets, Murphy's Law can make than needed. I never had a hard drive failure: the reason is because I allways kept paranoid backups. 😊
@@OgbondSandvol In germany we say 'haben ist besser als brauchen' - 'better to have something, than to need something', which is kinda to whole idea of PPE and first aid stuff. Just like riding a bike. 'Dress for the slide, not the ride' always worked for me. 👍
Great video. About 4 yrs ago I was gifted a brand new DeWalt table saw my first ever. I had used one about 40 yrs before in shop class and none since( always used an electric hand saw, cheap.) Anyway I was all excited and having been in the service I knew safety is key to survival. As excited as I was I spent the best part of a month viewing videos on table saw safety. Each winter as the snow flies I take time to review the safety videos as a primer before my spring projects. This video was excellent and am going to get a couple of the accessories you recommended.
My neighbors were appalled that my father was teaching me to use a circular saw when I was 5 years old. He told them "first he won't Saw without me". "Second he will grow up with all of his fingers". I'm a 66-year-old machinist and I have all my fingers😅
I had my little daughters work power tools, split wood, get super comfortable with making all kinds of cuts. The kindergarten teacher: “Oh my God, she has third grade scissor skills!”
we teach our kids all kinds of stuff every day, and they learn stuff every day. if you teach them how to properly handle tools i.e. saws, drills, guns, knives, they will learn that stuff. its parents who pretend those things dont exist, get most upset when their kids find them and have no idea how to respect them.
Most people will tell you that a tablesaw is dangerous, or they will say 'don't do it like this' very rarely was I able to find an actual explanation on how to use a tablesaw safely, I avoid tablesaws and find other ways to get the job done or have it done by someone with enough knowledge and experience to do it safely.
My industrial arts teacher always taught safety first, one of the things he talked about a lot was the Push Stick, and to stay away from the possibility of being impaled by lumber from Kickback lumber when it binds, especially on piece of oak or maple.
The most important class I have ever taken is table saw safety. It's an annual refresher for me and I never get tired of taking this class. Great video! Thanks
As someone who has a habit of obsessively researching things, I've watched my fair share of tablesaw safety videos. I think this is the clearest and most comprehensive one out there, so great job! You earned a new subscriber
Can't like this video enough. EVERY new woodworker needs to watch this. Such a great service you provided with just this one video. Subscribing just for this.
ABSOLUTELY golden video! I've been doing woodworking for years now and still learn so many new things INCLUDING safety tips. Thank you for making this video! And what a great mantra, "If it doesn't feel right in the gut, don't make the cut"! Learn it, Live it, Love it. Keep on keepin' on 🤙
I have a triton i bought back in 1990. It has a fence and blade. Im retired now and have time to do more wood work. Ive broken every rule you mentioned. Never been injured...until 2 days ago..after watching so many table saw vids including safety. Not a bad injury. Caught my finger alongside my finger nail. So be like this guy if youre new to wood work. Im buying a metabo soon hopefully.
Thank you brother. As many others have stated, this is an excellent primer/refresher on TS safety and the basic concepts apply to all power saw applications. "If it doesn't feel right in the gut, don't cut" - love it. Very much appreciate you taking the time to create and share this.
Thanks for mentioning the tourniquet. This is the first video I've seen that mentions the importance of having a tourniquet on hand. I have three in the shop and one in my toolbox. From personal experience, having one around saved my life. Sooner or later accidents do happen.
This man is awesome! He is a life savior. I had worked over 20 years as a trained CNC machinist and luckily I cut myself only once, not too bad. I did learn a few new things from his safety recommendations... Safety first! Please Listen to him!
The best table saw safety video I have seen. Worked on sites and shops for 40 years and seen some horrendous injuries that would have been avoided with just a few of these tips.
Great Video! You may have just saved my Life! I realize now that all these years I've been doing a few things wrong and I'm extremely lucky to not have any serious injuries. Thanks again.
Wow! Izzy if you want a few more good tips check out izzy swans tables saw safety videos. Not that anything was wrong here but the more the better. I once dropped my fence and sat it back on my saw. Later that day I was using it to make a rip cur on a small short board. No push stick and as it went through the fence was angled towards the blade. It kicked backed the worst I ever had. I was using my thumb to push it through and I do always wrap my ring and pinky fingers around my fence so my hand can't get pulled into the blade. But as the board flew back at 500 mph (or whatever) the corner plowed into the skin breaking the knuckle on y thumb and removing the skin to the bone. From just the corner of soft white pine. The sad thing is I grew up around the tools and had over 30 yrs experience at the time. Just lazy as my push stick was on my other saw and the other 5 I own was buried on the bench. Now they have a place to hang on the saw all the time. I was damn lucky. Like he said the entire time I turned the saw on to the kick back my gut feeling was this is not that smart. Lol If your saw has a thin fence you can wrap those two fingers around it is a smart Idea that my father taught me. Then the rule of thumb is If you can spread your hand out thumb against the blade and touch the fence you should use a push stick. I feel it is important for us all to share miss happs and remind each other proper safety. It is too easy to get lazy and think it wont happen to us. Now I have a thumb that is full of arthritis and enlarged for life.
I'm still new to the hobby and I recently inherited a reallly old table saw that is similar to your old Delta - no riving knife. Still saving for a more modern saw.
We need more safety videos like this, all very sensible suggestions, if you have saved just one person from losing their fingers or worse, your time and effort will be worth it, good work and thanks.
Yup, I do understand the concept w blade guards...however, I have never used them. I wanna see the cut as I'm cutting. I know, I know. Some ALWAYS use them, I don't. Your tips are well taken. So when I have bought a new table saw, I always remove the guard. I love the smaller Dewalt table saw, they work great, but my day to day saw is the larger Bosch table saw on wheels. I love it. Thx
Thank you for this video. Every content creator who uses tools should watch this, as well as similar videos on other tools. Your explanation is clear and effective; great job. I often find myself frustrated with UA-cam content creators who use tools incorrectly or unsafely, even if they claim it's just for the sake of the video. What you do off camera is your business, but whenever you demonstrate a tool on camera-regardless of whether it's the video's main focus or if you feel strict safety measures are excessive-you must always prioritize proper safety practices and equipment. Remember, not all viewers may have your level of understanding or skill. If you act irresponsibly, someone might imitate your actions exactly, especially younger viewers. Always lead by example; never be the reason someone gets hurt because they saw something done unsafely on UA-cam and thought it was okay.
Great video you rarely see something focused on safety when you’re surfing for tool information. I’ve been using a table saw just like the one you demonstrated for almost a decade and I admit I made a couple of mistakes you pointed out. Some great workaround tips and jigs that will help make my woodworking safer. Much appreciated.
As a retired Certified Safety Professional I really appreciate all the great tips and recommendations. There is a lot here that everyone who works with table saws needs to heed. Well done!
One item to add to this or any other video on safety is "NEVER WEAR GLOVES"! I was ripping 45 degree edges on ruff cut lumber, the blade grabbed my glove after the cut, and pulled my hand in. I was VERY BLESSED that day! The leather stopped the blade! Love your videos and most of all, your commitment to your FAITH!!! OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!
I taught the freshman woodshop class at a high school for over 30 years. Safety was the first few of weeks of class. Demonstrations on each piece of equipment, followed up by safety tests and practice by each student. When we got to the table saw I gave multiple demonstrations on its use and safety over two days. After reminding students to stand in the correct position at the saw and always making sure that the area behind them was clear before cutting, the first kid stepped up to make his practice cut, freaked out and let go of his board just as it cut off, the kickback was intense. The board shot back and slammed into the metal cover on the room heater which was about 15 feet away. The dent it left in that cover stunned us all. The kids eyes were huge! The first words that came out of that kids mouth were "Holy Shit, will you cut my parts for me?" Much to my chagrin, his classmates called him "Kickback" for the semester and they all cleared the area when he used the table saw. Respect your equipment! Teaching that class was kept me awake at night!
Finally someone posts a video about tablesaw safety! I have to say that my set of rules for using a tablesaw are exactly aligned with yours. Because of it I still have all of my fingers and thumbs, and they are all in great working order. When I was running my own home renovation business, and person I hired had to take a safety course from me before using any of the tools we worked with. My number one rule: Safety is Job One! Whenever I caught one of my crewmembers skipping a safety rule, it did not matter how good they were at the job, I would terminate their employment immediately. I was working for a company that built custom buses, in the automotive industry, making a name for myself. Eventually, I wound up running the cabinet shop there. Most of the tablesaw operators there had missing digits, due to unsafe practices. Even my own dad had cut off the tip of his left index finger on a tablesaw. Of course when he learned to use one, a lot of the safety equipment for them were not yet in existence. I on the other hand had been taught about safety in school woodshop classes, of which I took three. But even then a lot of the safety equipment did not yet exist. Being a smart person, I was able to conceive, draw up plans for, and build certain safety gadgets that made using the tablesaw much safer. Nowadays, it makes me happy to see all the many safety gadgets that are manufactured for tablesaws, and the more you have, the better for you it will be! I am now 67 and I still have never had a bad accident with any woodworking equipment. This is because I think my job through before beginning, and then if I see a step that does not make good sense the way I originally planned, I adjust for a different and safer way to get the same results. A well equipped woodshop should have multiple ways to get certain parts of a job done, and the safest way should be the one you choose to use, if at all possible. With the experience I've had in the business, I just about know my job so well that I hardly need to think a lot about how to get the job done. I thank you Sir, for being the most safety minded woodworker on UA-cam! I look forward to any and all of your other safety videos, and I hope you will continue to make them as the need arises. SUBSCRIBED!
Brilliant suggestion on practicing with the tourniquet. I have never thought about it. I do have two in my shop and one in the kitchen but never thought of practicing. Thank you.
Just bought my first table saw, this is an amazing video and should be mandatory to watch. Thanks so much! Now on to doing my first cut on my wet Irish timber 🎉
So glad I watched this video. I just asked my dad the other day how to make repeatable thin cuts easily and then you show the thin rip jig! Can’t wait to get one!
I'm here watching this video with 8 stitches in my left middle finger as I one finger type this out! Thankfully I still have it! I've been a weekend woodworker for many years and made a mistake last weekend. This video has opened my eyes and I will be installing my blade guard back on before I hop back on my saw. You can never be too careful! I'm a walking example and still cringe thinking back to my lapse of judgement. It only takes once and there is no take backs! Thanks man! 👍
I am glad I came across your video. I'm 45 years old with an Autistic mind. And I was cutting wood not too long ago with an old tablesaw my mother got from her mother's after granny passed, and had a kick back twice. Tore my hand up pretty good just from the woof. Healed now. Buy always nice to find videos like these to help me develop some more ideas to check for before cutting. I tried to watch some videos before using tablesaw. I knew the "basics and how they worked and what not, but been a long time since I've seen anyone use one. So I appreciate the video. I'm just getting in to woodworking so it's nice to know what I'm getting into and how to use things more carefully and what the parts are for and how they should operate, the tiny parts; like spring tension and such. I was actually looking to figure out how to manipulate and move bigger piece of logs. I had someone dump just about an entire red oak tree in my driveway for me, for free. Now I just need to figure out how to move it without the special lifts and such. Lol
Appreciate all the advice. I’ve been wanting to get into more wood working - but table saws are one of the scariest tools to work with. Now that I’m planning on buying one, it’s good to just be really sure of what the things to avoid are.
I have only found your channel recently but love it! I love the everyday detail that you put into the information that you pass on! You eliminate questions that we have before we need to ask them! I have no doubt that you have saved many injuries for your viewers. Also, I like that you don’t push expensive tools on us! Keep up the great work and I, and many, many others will keep watching! Thank you for everything you do! Truly outstanding!!!
So far the best safety video about tablesaws I've seen, thanks. Although as a beginner, I just bought my first tablesaw, recommending a tourniquet when using this tool is makes it feel all quite intimidating honestly, but together with all the safety tips it also made extra aware of the dangers involved and importance of taking safety measures. One question I have though about the cross cut sled: why is it safe(r)? Does the sled act as a riving knife?
Just shared your video with my daughter/homeowner/DIYer who just bought a DeWalt saw for a kitchen remodel. Excellent points, sir. BTW one tip I would add: do not operate the saw if you've worked all day and you're dog tired sleepy. When you're rested, you're more alert.
EXCELLENT fuggeon job ! I've been using table saws for 34 yrs and had only one semi-serious kickback. I have learned my lessons for "set up" and "use" . Your presentation is the best I have ever seen .....anywhere. Thank Your Doctor SafetyNet .
I never thought of having a tourniquet in my workshop - great idea, especially for me, who has had some table saw kickbacks and a few injuries. I picked up a 3 pack on eBay for only $14. So I have one by the saw, put one in my car, and gave one to a good friend of mine, a retired ER doc, who thinks there's slim chance I'd do anything to cut a major artery - yet, he's the one of us who cut off his finger on his table saw.. Anyway, great tip, the whole vid is excellent and beginners and pros alike would benefit from watching it. BTW, my ER friend told me - never put the tourniquet on a bone, like your elbow or wrist, lest you pinch a nerve and have permanent and major feeling loss. Put it on muscle. And mark the time, time is important. And you should have a doctor remove it. He said best is to first try direct pressure with a towel or rag, clean or not, if that doesn't stop it, use the tourniquet. Maybe someone mentioned all this down through all the 1400+ comments. Watch those youTubes on how to use them!! Thanks a bunch, all your vids are great.
Thank you so much for that beautiful, professional, informative, well planned and executed video. After 3 Kickback events and one injury, I put my table saw aside and use only a Jig and circular saw. This video is so important!!! none of my accident would happened if I was watching this before . I consider seriously to use it again, but not before review your video just before action. Great Job, BTW, we can feel that you are a very wise man out of the video you have made. Thanks again, Joel from Israel.
Thank you so much for making this video! I haven't used a table saw much and just acquired one this past summer. I am really, really glad that I found this video before I start using it.
Finally someone mentions tourniquets. I keep them in the shop, in my truck, strapped to my tool bag, and in the normal first aid kit. After getting out of the Army I view first aid very differently. I think everyone should be trained in Stop The Bleed. These movie tourniquets of a bandana and a stick or a belt pulled tight just aren't going to stop bleeding at the pressure that needs to be applied. Tourniquets HURT. They are supposed to, that's why they are so effective (when trained on proper use}. Thanks for mentioning that. I really like your videos, keep it up!
90% of that cuts I make are free hand no fence. I do love the introduction of the riving knife. This knife makes it so much more safe also helps you push the material into the blade without a kick back. Skilled carpenter!!!! I would never tell a novice to use a table saw the way I do.
I am anticipating my first table saw to arrive within the week, and I have appreciated your videos about the table saw. Appreciate your time and expertise as I feel properly introduced to its proper operations. Thanks for sharing your faith.
Very much appreciated. I'm trying to make anything and everything and have never taken shop. I am a weeds kind of person so I get discouraged easily with no practial learning. Your tips are super helpful. I'm struggling with being really accurate, but your videos are really helpful. Thanks so much!
Thanks for this excellent video. I've watched it several times just to refresh the things I was taught by my grandfather many years ago. Your recommendation to keep a quality tourniquet readily available caused me to stop and think hard about that, and about my "resistance" to purchasing a SawStop. I strive to be really safe in the shop, but I finally realized that no one suddenly decides "I think I'll go to the shop and cut off some fingers today..." They are called "saw accidents" for a reason... I'm on blood thinners, and realize that I might have even less time to react than most people. I ordered the tourniquet you recommended (x2, so I can practice - with BOTH hands), and I recently sold my old-tech table saw to help defray the cost of purchasing a SawStop. The one I could (barely) afford is Compact Table Saw - the "baby" of the family. Yeah, it was expensive, but still a LOT less $$$ than even ONE trip to the ER, not to mention the potential life-long impacts of losing a finger or hand. And with the PCS, I cannot use a dado stack, but having a router table mitigates that concern. So, even though I now own a SawStop, I have pledged to myself that I will keep on using the same safety techniques I used with my old saw, and which you shared (quite concisely, I might add) in this video. Watching this video is mandatory for anyone who wants to work with me in my shop - no exceptions. Thank you again for making this video. It's simply great!
Great reminder of things I was taught in shop 40 years ago, emphasis on 40 years ago. I am just getting back into this and I can't believe how much I have forgotten and how many of your "don't do" things I did when I started again.
Great tips and demonstrations. New to table saws, you covered everything from safety and how accidents occur to helpful accessories like the GRR gripper, Jessem Stock Guides and how stock push sticks can become brittle and over time and break. Thank you!
Very informative...I am new to woodwork and want to fulfill my long-time passion in carpentry. I stumbled across your video and it's a great guide to a beginner as myself. Thank you for this piece and for all that you do.
Hey man thanks for that video, it's very helpful and I can tell that it makes me a lot more confident to start using a table saw. My great grandfather and my grandfather cut some of their fingers badly and my father lost about 5 or 6 phalanges and I was very very skeptical and not sure about starting to use a tablesaw because I've always figured things out with a circular saw or even a mitre saw. That being said, I'd strongly recommend this video to anyone who starts using a tablesaw, this has helped me suffocate a lot of confidence issues lol!...but staying safe and never too confident of course !
Great video recently had a bad kick back at work. Thought Id take prevented measures and stay safe. Ive been using table saws close to years so it can happen to the best of us. Another thing to mention have the least amount of the blade cutting through your material as possible. Less likely chance of getting hit by the blade. Be advised the blade burning the material means you have to slightly raise the blade so it dosent burn the motor out.
Very well done, clear and detailed enough. Son left behind an old table saw without blade guard or accessories. My uncle cut through his thumb, had surgery, turned purple and black, eventually healed, impressed me about table saws, useful but dangerous if used without knowledge or by "false moves".
I learned basic woodshop skills on a radial arm saw! My opinion. One heck of dangerous equipment! Then, I got exposed to a table saw! Game changer! But new safety rules! Then what I call the chop saw! While each saw has dangerous issues! They are a major game changer to the old radial arm saw! Being fully aware at all times is the number one safety rule! Love stop blood flow gadget thingy! Great advice!
Thank you very much for your valuable recommendations , I wish I had seen this video before using my table saw . I was very lucky not to have serious injury but a small one two days ago . I had wearing a hand kerchief and I tried to get the sawed wood over the blade and in a moment , less than a second , the blade took the handkerchief and a very small part of my finger . Thank you again and I highly recommend to the users to follow your instructions.
As a woodworker I give you the biggest shutout . Your video is spot on ,Safety safety safety There is no such things as SHORTCUTS when using any power tools . Thank you for making this video and educating folks on safety and the dangers these tool have when not following these rules . Love your channel BTW.
I recently sold my compound mitre saw because it was just too big & couldn't fit it inside. I decided to invest in a table saw as it didn't take up as much room. Fortunately, I decided to research how to use a table saw in between putting it together. I'm so glad I did! I didn't realise how dangerous they were! 😮 I'm going to have to get some accessories & take extra heed to what you have said and shown in this video! The drop-down compound mitre saw seems like a baby in comparison! Thank you so much! I'm going to rewatch this a few times before using it and, of course, subscribe! 😊 Maybe I should've stuck with a smaller compound mitre saw considering I'm no spring chicken! Too late now! Just have to learn how to carefully and safely operate it! 😊
Excellent video!!! Not that everything else wasn't great, but your "stand to the left in case of kickback" suggestion was Golden! I've never heard that before. Thank you.
What an excellent informative video! I am so glad I watched it, I purchased my first table saw last week, so many great safety tips. I'm 72 and you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Thanks for a great video. Your lessons on how to avoid kickback are a very helpful reminder. I had used a table saw for over 40 years before I had my first accident - caused by kickback pushing my hand into the blade. I now own a sawstop - while a sawstop's technology can reduce the risk of injury, you still need to use safe practices. I already use several of the safety tools you recommend & will be purchasing more.
Click "Read more" to see all of the tool links.
Watch Next: US Government Wants to Change Table Saws FOREVER! ua-cam.com/video/kb6LRfGhr_g/v-deo.htmlsi=s8GgpEUltw6hxBO9
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Tools in this Video:
MicroJig GRR-RIPPER - amzn.to/3SnZ8p3
Bow Xtender Fence - amzn.to/3uoXNX9
Bow Xtender Fence Clamps - amzn.to/3Ow8ON0
Bow Xtender Infeed/Outfeed Supports - lddy.no/1j420
Bow Push Stick - lddy.no/1j3x9
Thin Rip Jig - amzn.to/3uooTOb
Budget Saw Blade I Recommend - lddy.no/1j3xw
Mid Tier Saw Blade - lddy.no/1j3xx
Top Tier Saw Blade - lddy.no/1j3xy
Incra V27 Miter Gauge - amzn.to/3vZBM1I
Safer Cross Cut Sled Plans - www.731woodworks.com/store/safesled
1-2-3 Set Up Blocks - amzn.to/42sp0oh
iGauging Square - amzn.to/3SH8kX5
Combination Square - amzn.to/3wcfLwo
Tourniquet - amzn.to/4fLXNDv
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RZ Mask (new M3 model) - amzn.to/48155hI
RZ Mask M2 - amzn.to/3HJzciL
Hearing Protection - amzn.to/483GM2o
Allred Woodworks Push Stick (use the contact form, he will email plans) allredwoodworks.com
T-Shirt I'm Wearing - bit.ly/4bqz2uc
How to Apply a Tourniquet - ua-cam.com/video/wWVne7cUrm8/v-deo.html
Stop the Bleed FREE Online Course - www.stopthebleed.org/training/online-course/
Table Saws I Recommend -
Skil 10-inch Table Saw - amzn.to/3HH7MKy
DeWALT Jobsite Saw - amzn.to/3uizIBo
SawStop 3HP PCS (saw I have) - amzn.to/3ulSw2x
SawStop Jobsite Saw - amzn.to/3UtGRt8
Milwaukee Cordless Table Saw - thetoolnut.sjv.io/rQyeXv
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I've been using a table saw, router, radial arm saw and others for 20 years and never cut a finger. I got hit by pieces of wood but never injured
my thumb is pretty much healed up, Yep I reached around!
Perfect job on the video! I'm very scared of table Saws, I'm using them, all cautious each time I make cuts! But your video is just perfect, and I'm glad you tackled the safety of the table saw! Well, done, sir!
Really good, basic safety. Makes a great argument for building table saws designed for left-handed people. I stand to the right ofy fence. Like most things I'm life, it's ok, if I need to cheat on safety since I'm a lefty!
Awsom
I have been a professional wood worker for 30 years and I would suggest this video to anyone as a refresher for the pro and for the beginner. Thanks, Bruce
You mentioned bracelets. Don't forget to remove ALL rings and wristwatches.
Why would pros need a “refresher?” This is rookie stuff most of us learned when we were 12.
@@wulf67 People do dumb things all the time - even the pros. Sometimes a "silly" reminder is all one needs to avoid catastrophe, stop and think. It's why law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, military, and other similar professionals take "refresher" courses over and over and over again...
@@benkenobi671 Law enforcement should take more courses in law. None of them understand the 1st Amendment
I always watch the safety videos. The accident videos too even though it's difficult. Doesn't matter if it's stuff I know. I'd rather that be beat into my head. I have a healthy fear of my saw and the last thing I want to do is get complacent.
I teach tablesaws and tablesaw safety. This is the best, most comprehensive and accurate tablesaw safety video I have seen. You cover everything plus a little more. Excellent job!
Great video!
My 6th grade shop teacher explained that the height of the table saw blade above the work should equal the amount of blade that you want to go into your hand! I have been following that advice for 45 years.
By simply recommending a tourniquet and being so focused on safety you earned yourself a subscription right there!
Agreed. I’m a first aid and stop the bleeding instructor and keep a basic trauma kit in my motorcycle bag, vehicle, work truck, first responder backpack (Park Ranger), and in my camper. I never thought to have it in the workshop, despite the obvious hazards. I’m going to move a kit there this morning. Fantastic video and I just subscribed.
Never occurred to me. Yet SO simple & obvious once someone says it! 😂
@@otherwiseunarmed4187 what?
Hi from Australia. I have been a keen woodworker for 45 years and I use my tablesaw daily. This is the best safety / usage video I have ever watched. Really, really good, and a 'must watch" for anyone who uses this tool. I am still nursing a massive bruise on my ribs after I became complacent a few weeks ago.... I knew that what I was doing was "suss", but went ahead anyway. Never again!! Thank you.
One of the best, perhaps *the* best videos I've ever seen in my life. Sixty six years old and I'm still learning, with the help of people like this. Thank you!!
This is by far the best table saw safety video out there. Not only do you state the dangers and how to fix it, you say what could happen, you reinforce thought processes and internal conversations we have with ourselves like cutting something freehand - "this is not allowed" - people need to say that in their head when they're thinking of doing it. You really hammered home all of the points extremely well. Great video.
I don't cut freehand, but I know carpenters who do it all the time and never get hurt. One key to accidents is most saws are overpowered. The guys I have seen do it are running dry wood through a saw with maybe 3/4 hp motors. 3 and 5 HP saws will kill you, but those are not really necessary in most shops. and they certainly aren't going to be carried to a job site.
@@tacticalskiffs8134 Why would you even put that Idea in someone's head?? A 3/4 hp saw is plenty powerful enough to kick back. Plus depending the position of the hand when it happens it can pull the hand into the blade. If the blade has enough power to cut wood it has enough to cut flesh and bone. Like I said Very bad way of thinking!!!!!
Besides the Idea behind a table saw is to make precise cuts. If you want to free hand use a bandsaw or something more forgiving!!!
Man, thank you so much for this. I searched for 'tabel saw safety 101' and this popped up. I just moved into a house with a large garage. So I'm setting up a shop and getting after it. I'm a big fan of counting to 10 without having to take off my shoes. So this has given me some great safety fundamentals to follow on the table saw
I've been an on again/off again hobbyist woodworker since I was young, helping my dad in the shop. There's not really anything new here that I haven't already figured out myself or been taught, except having a tourniquet handy, that's not something I had ever even considered, but seeing all these safety tips put together in one concise video is definitely a good refresher and I'd go so far as to say this should be a must watch for anyone getting into woodworking or for any parent to show their kids that want to help them in the shop. Even after working with table saws, miter saws, radial arm saws, etc. for 50+ years, I still get flutters in my stomach when I fire one up. A healthy dose of fear can make the difference between having all your fingers left at the end of the day or not.
As an experienced woodworker, your video is full of great reminders. I believe all woodworkers would benefit from watching it - no matter how experienced. Another reason to watch your video is that it is comprehensive - meaning you really touched on everything I could think of. Thank you so much!
Thank you for the great safety information. I am an airline pilot and one of the ways that stay safe is risk management... identify what the risks are and mitigate with planning... exactly what you are doing where. I do not like using a table saw, but sometimes it is the tool to got get the job done. When I do use the table saw, I approach it like a preflight. NO lose clothing, clean floor with no slip hazard around the saw, cutting material laid out and easy to access, push stick close by and easy to grab, make sure that my wife is home and she knows that I am using the table saw, ETC.. Your video has added some great tips to the "preflight." Thanks again for the great content... and thanks for making me spend another $100? (LOL)! Keep up the great work.
Checklist is a great idea!!!
@jonahwhale9047 LOL… and that too!
Yes, to the spouse notification. I work in my half of the garage and nothing scares me more than the garage door going up unexpectedly.
Definitely one of the best “save work” videos l ever saw.
No show, no tingle/tangle.
Straight- simple- honest!
🙏🏻🙏🏽Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏻
Female UK Diyer who is finally getting her home next month which has a garage so can build my workshop. I want to get a table saw but they scare me. I would have loved to buy the saw stop but they don't seem to sell in the UK, so I always binge on these videos to get some tips. If I get a table saw, would be a compact one, maybe Dewalt, Bosch ect. But one thing for sure, I need my fingers, I value my body parts to screw around with some shortcuts. Respect your tools and don't take shortcuts.
Enjoy!
If they sell FLEX in the UK, you might want to check out one of their upcoming 2 table saws.
I have used a table saw for 50 years started in wood shop at 16 now I am 66., I have owned three saws a real cheap one , small craftsman cast iron and a few years ago bought bought a forty year old large cast iron craftsman. I been bit at least three times with kick back. I don’t have a riving knife or blade guard but use wood spacers on long board and feather-board to minimize kickback. But I am very careful but the credit for not knicking a finger was Mr. Friend my wood shop teacher. Take classes and listen and practice what a good instructor teaches. Thanks Mr. Friend!
I would suggest getting a tablesaw with as big of a top as possible to fit in your space. Every inevitably cuts wood larger the table. Consider whatever you buy, build into its own cabinet/bench. Take a look at this channel. Over the years she has scaled up to better tools, but always keep the DIYer in mind. IN one video she provided multiple to join boards. ua-cam.com/video/22oqr6o5z-w/v-deo.htmlsi=6pCIaz2HZs3lu9bO
Do you have the Bosch Reax saws in the UK?
I am just a hobbyist and probably pull out the table saw just a few times a year. But I try to be hyper focused on the safety aspects every time I do. There was nothing in this video that I did not already know and follow. That said, it was excellent, and I NEVER tire of watching these sorts of instructions. It never hurts to be reminded of your safety checklist over and over again. Pilots use a written checklist every time they take the controls in a plane, no matter how many times they have flown, even if they do it every day for a living. Thank you and keep it up.
Matt, I’ve been a supporter of your videos since I started this hobby three years ago. I’m a small-town pastor and really just appreciate you. For what it’s worth, though I watch each of your videos, it’s good to see you teaching again. I always appreciated your “how to” videos, and this is another “how to (and not to)” that is instructive. Blessings, and thank you.
At 14:30 I couldn't help but notice you broke the very rule you had just previously addressed. I really appreciate the vid, thanks for the advice.
Saw that too. Almost commented myself. 🙂
I'm a typical DIY guy and not a construction professional, so I greatly appreciate this video. I guarantee you've saved me a few trips to the hospital here, and a few appendages that I prefer to keep intact. Thank you!
If it doesn't feel right in your mind leave that cut behind, every one and I mean every one of your tips are 100 percent SPOT ON I've worked with wood for 50 years and kept all those tips on my mind and (knock on wood), I've never been cut!
I want to thank you for your advise, the words of my first and last shop teacher!
God bless,
Ralphie
Great video. I've been using a table saw since I was 18. I'm 52 now. I've always tried to be safe. Another rule that is probably worth adding and probably should go without saying is if you wouldn't do it while driving, don't do it while using power tools. In other words, don't drink and cut. Don't cut drunk. Don't cut while you are sleepy. Don't cut while you are distracted. Don't cut while you are playing on your phone. Don't text while cutting. Avoid wood rage. If that piece of wood doesn't work out like you wanted, or the cut is going really slow, getting mad about it is just going to make you do something stupid and cause an accident.
Anyway, I see some Festool tracks on the wall there. How are those hanging up? I have an 8+ foot track that I want to hang horizontally on my wall like that.
Thanks for your genuine care for our safety. I've been doing woodworking and construction projects for years. Carelessness has caused me to injure my pushing hand twice due to kickback. Now at 71 mental acuity is not what it once was so I have to be extra vigilant with safety. Videos like this one are a great refresher on the subject. Stay safe and enjoy building and creating.
I am really glad to see you mention tourniquets, I feel like that isn't talked about enough. I get it, it's not pleasant to think about, and like many things, a lot of people think "it'll never happen to me" but unfortunately some of them are wrong. Many people also tend to overlook the fact that if the tool can cut hardwoods, or aluminum and other non-ferrous metals with the right blade, and cut them quickly - it can cut clean through you with ease if given the opportunity (SawStop not withstanding)
One thing to note about practicing with tourniquets - make it a point to practice applying them to both sides (meaning using your left hand to apply one to your right arm and vice versa) because when you need to do everything backwards from how you practiced is not a good time to learn...
Really? I know about how Ts saved all kinds of lives in the sandbox. But with a TS just what exactly are you cutting off that will cause that level of arterial bleeding. Gunshot wounds easy. Maybe even a drastic bandsaw accident. Certainly a bad chisel accident, But a TS?
There's an artery in your wrist, very close to the blade when you're pushing stock through the saw.
@@tacticalskiffs8134 TS wrist and forearms. But you have it for all possible accidents, like a circular saw hitting your leg. Inside of your theigh runs a major artery.
It's not comfortable buying tourniquets, but I'm convinced that I'll buy a few tourniquets!
Just because if I have then, there will be less chances that I'll need then.
But if I don't own tourniquets, Murphy's Law can make than needed.
I never had a hard drive failure: the reason is because I allways kept paranoid backups. 😊
@@OgbondSandvol In germany we say 'haben ist besser als brauchen' - 'better to have something, than to need something', which is kinda to whole idea of PPE and first aid stuff. Just like riding a bike. 'Dress for the slide, not the ride' always worked for me. 👍
Great video. About 4 yrs ago I was gifted a brand new DeWalt table saw my first ever. I had used one about 40 yrs before in shop class and none since( always used an electric hand saw, cheap.) Anyway I was all excited and having been in the service I knew safety is key to survival. As excited as I was I spent the best part of a month viewing videos on table saw safety. Each winter as the snow flies I take time to review the safety videos as a primer before my spring projects. This video was excellent and am going to get a couple of the accessories you recommended.
This is easily the best beginner guide I've ever watched 🙏
My neighbors were appalled that my father was teaching me to use a circular saw when I was 5 years old. He told them "first he won't Saw without me". "Second he will grow up with all of his fingers". I'm a 66-year-old machinist and I have all my fingers😅
I had my little daughters work power tools, split wood, get super comfortable with making all kinds of cuts. The kindergarten teacher: “Oh my God, she has third grade scissor skills!”
we teach our kids all kinds of stuff every day, and they learn stuff every day. if you teach them how to properly handle tools i.e. saws, drills, guns, knives, they will learn that stuff. its parents who pretend those things dont exist, get most upset when their kids find them and have no idea how to respect them.
Most people will tell you that a tablesaw is dangerous, or they will say 'don't do it like this' very rarely was I able to find an actual explanation on how to use a tablesaw safely, I avoid tablesaws and find other ways to get the job done or have it done by someone with enough knowledge and experience to do it safely.
My industrial arts teacher always taught safety first, one of the things he talked about a lot was the Push Stick, and to stay away from the possibility of being impaled by lumber from Kickback lumber when it binds, especially on piece of oak or maple.
Your neighbors should have called Child Protective Services. Was your father on crack?
The most important class I have ever taken is table saw safety. It's an annual refresher for me and I never get tired of taking this class. Great video! Thanks
As someone who has a habit of obsessively researching things, I've watched my fair share of tablesaw safety videos. I think this is the clearest and most comprehensive one out there, so great job! You earned a new subscriber
Can't like this video enough. EVERY new woodworker needs to watch this. Such a great service you provided with just this one video. Subscribing just for this.
ABSOLUTELY golden video! I've been doing woodworking for years now and still learn so many new things INCLUDING safety tips. Thank you for making this video! And what a great mantra, "If it doesn't feel right in the gut, don't make the cut"! Learn it, Live it, Love it. Keep on keepin' on 🤙
when this guy says "you matter to us, you matter to me" it makes him sound like the most sincere person on UA-cam. I really like him and his channel.
Same, that really got me.
I have a triton i bought back in 1990. It has a fence and blade. Im retired now and have time to do more wood work. Ive broken every rule you mentioned. Never been injured...until 2 days ago..after watching so many table saw vids including safety. Not a bad injury. Caught my finger alongside my finger nail.
So be like this guy if youre new to wood work.
Im buying a metabo soon hopefully.
I'm just getting into woodworking and this is the best safety and use video Ive seen so far. Thank you for being so thorough!
same here mate and I now know that I have avoided accidents more by luck than judgement.
Thank you brother. As many others have stated, this is an excellent primer/refresher on TS safety and the basic concepts apply to all power saw applications. "If it doesn't feel right in the gut, don't cut" - love it. Very much appreciate you taking the time to create and share this.
What a great video.... NO wasted time, everything in the video you need to hear
Thanks for mentioning the tourniquet. This is the first video I've seen that mentions the importance of having a tourniquet on hand. I have three in the shop and one in my toolbox.
From personal experience, having one around saved my life. Sooner or later accidents do happen.
This man is awesome! He is a life savior.
I had worked over 20 years as a trained CNC machinist and luckily I cut myself only once, not too bad.
I did learn a few new things from his safety recommendations...
Safety first! Please Listen to him!
The best table saw safety video I have seen. Worked on sites and shops for 40 years and seen some horrendous injuries that would have been avoided with just a few of these tips.
Great Video! You may have just saved my Life! I realize now that all these years I've been doing a few things wrong and I'm extremely lucky to not have any serious injuries. Thanks again.
Wow! Izzy if you want a few more good tips check out izzy swans tables saw safety videos. Not that anything was wrong here but the more the better. I once dropped my fence and sat it back on my saw. Later that day I was using it to make a rip cur on a small short board. No push stick and as it went through the fence was angled towards the blade. It kicked backed the worst I ever had. I was using my thumb to push it through and I do always wrap my ring and pinky fingers around my fence so my hand can't get pulled into the blade. But as the board flew back at 500 mph (or whatever) the corner plowed into the skin breaking the knuckle on y thumb and removing the skin to the bone. From just the corner of soft white pine. The sad thing is I grew up around the tools and had over 30 yrs experience at the time. Just lazy as my push stick was on my other saw and the other 5 I own was buried on the bench. Now they have a place to hang on the saw all the time. I was damn lucky. Like he said the entire time I turned the saw on to the kick back my gut feeling was this is not that smart. Lol
If your saw has a thin fence you can wrap those two fingers around it is a smart Idea that my father taught me. Then the rule of thumb is If you can spread your hand out thumb against the blade and touch the fence you should use a push stick.
I feel it is important for us all to share miss happs and remind each other proper safety. It is too easy to get lazy and think it wont happen to us. Now I have a thumb that is full of arthritis and enlarged for life.
Great video. I’ve been woodworking for several years, but will still watch videos like this as a refresher.
I'm still new to the hobby and I recently inherited a reallly old table saw that is similar to your old Delta - no riving knife. Still saving for a more modern saw.
We need more safety videos like this, all very sensible suggestions, if you have saved just one person from losing their fingers or worse, your time and effort will be worth it, good work and thanks.
Yup, I do understand the concept w blade guards...however, I have never used them. I wanna see the cut as I'm cutting. I know, I know. Some ALWAYS use them, I don't. Your tips are well taken. So when I have bought a new table saw, I always remove the guard. I love the smaller Dewalt table saw, they work great, but my day to day saw is the larger Bosch table saw on wheels. I love it. Thx
An excellent presentation. I’ve cut a lot of stuff on a table saw and still find great value in hearing all these tips again. Thank you.
Thank you for this video. Every content creator who uses tools should watch this, as well as similar videos on other tools. Your explanation is clear and effective; great job. I often find myself frustrated with UA-cam content creators who use tools incorrectly or unsafely, even if they claim it's just for the sake of the video. What you do off camera is your business, but whenever you demonstrate a tool on camera-regardless of whether it's the video's main focus or if you feel strict safety measures are excessive-you must always prioritize proper safety practices and equipment. Remember, not all viewers may have your level of understanding or skill. If you act irresponsibly, someone might imitate your actions exactly, especially younger viewers. Always lead by example; never be the reason someone gets hurt because they saw something done unsafely on UA-cam and thought it was okay.
I would love to see / find a video like this on bandsaws and routers. i see so mush misuse of bandsaws on line, it is ridiculous.
Great video you rarely see something focused on safety when you’re surfing for tool information. I’ve been using a table saw just like the one you demonstrated for almost a decade and I admit I made a couple of mistakes you pointed out. Some great workaround tips and jigs that will help make my woodworking safer. Much appreciated.
Great refresher video and some I didn't even think about.
As a retired Certified Safety Professional I really appreciate all the great tips and recommendations. There is a lot here that everyone who works with table saws needs to heed. Well done!
Thanks a LOT!!!! Lots of amazing advice given here. Will be getting all that I need, the tourniquets as well.
One item to add to this or any other video on safety is "NEVER WEAR GLOVES"! I was ripping 45 degree edges on ruff cut lumber, the blade grabbed my glove after the cut, and pulled my hand in. I was VERY BLESSED that day! The leather stopped the blade! Love your videos and most of all, your commitment to your FAITH!!! OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!
I taught the freshman woodshop class at a high school for over 30 years. Safety was the first few of weeks of class. Demonstrations on each piece of equipment, followed up by safety tests and practice by each student. When we got to the table saw I gave multiple demonstrations on its use and safety over two days. After reminding students to stand in the correct position at the saw and always making sure that the area behind them was clear before cutting, the first kid stepped up to make his practice cut, freaked out and let go of his board just as it cut off, the kickback was intense. The board shot back and slammed into the metal cover on the room heater which was about 15 feet away. The dent it left in that cover stunned us all. The kids eyes were huge! The first words that came out of that kids mouth were "Holy Shit, will you cut my parts for me?" Much to my chagrin, his classmates called him "Kickback" for the semester and they all cleared the area when he used the table saw. Respect your equipment! Teaching that class was kept me awake at night!
As a newbie "woodworker" , I've watched this video several times now. It's worth every second of my life (and extremities 😂).
Great tips for beginner wood workers. And really reminder for the seasoned wood worker.
Finally someone posts a video about tablesaw safety! I have to say that my set of rules for using a tablesaw are exactly aligned with yours. Because of it I still have all of my fingers and thumbs, and they are all in great working order. When I was running my own home renovation business, and person I hired had to take a safety course from me before using any of the tools we worked with. My number one rule: Safety is Job One! Whenever I caught one of my crewmembers skipping a safety rule, it did not matter how good they were at the job, I would terminate their employment immediately.
I was working for a company that built custom buses, in the automotive industry, making a name for myself. Eventually, I wound up running the cabinet shop there.
Most of the tablesaw operators there had missing digits, due to unsafe practices. Even my own dad had cut off the tip of his left index finger on a tablesaw. Of course when he learned to use one, a lot of the safety equipment for them were not yet in existence. I on the other hand had been taught about safety in school woodshop classes, of which I took three. But even then a lot of the safety equipment did not yet exist. Being a smart person, I was able to conceive, draw up plans for, and build certain safety gadgets that made using the tablesaw much safer. Nowadays, it makes me happy to see all the many safety gadgets that are manufactured for tablesaws, and the more you have, the better for you it will be!
I am now 67 and I still have never had a bad accident with any woodworking equipment. This is because I think my job through before beginning, and then if I see a step that does not make good sense the way I originally planned, I adjust for a different and safer way to get the same results. A well equipped woodshop should have multiple ways to get certain parts of a job done, and the safest way should be the one you choose to use, if at all possible. With the experience I've had in the business, I just about know my job so well that I hardly need to think a lot about how to get the job done.
I thank you Sir, for being the most safety minded woodworker on UA-cam! I look forward to any and all of your other safety videos, and I hope you will continue to make them as the need arises.
SUBSCRIBED!
I think the tourniquet on the saw is a great idea. At the very least serves as a reminder to think twice about what you're doing.
I have a tourniquet in my range bag, never thought a second having one next to my table saw, but its a very good advice !
Brilliant suggestion on practicing with the tourniquet. I have never thought about it. I do have two in my shop and one in the kitchen but never thought of practicing. Thank you.
Just bought my first table saw, this is an amazing video and should be mandatory to watch. Thanks so much! Now on to doing my first cut on my wet Irish timber 🎉
There is an argument to be made regarding the geometry of the blade being low, causing kickbacks. Less downward thrust and more horizontal thrust.
As a certified Stop the Bleed instructor, THANK YOU for recommending a TQ!
99% of UA-camrs don't know how to use apostrophes.
UA-camr’s! 😊
@@rollovaughanApo’strophe’s!
@@rollovaughanan apostrophe is not needed to indicate a plural
@@methaneman4045 i know’s that.
@@rollovaughan 👍 Excellent!
So glad I watched this video. I just asked my dad the other day how to make repeatable thin cuts easily and then you show the thin rip jig! Can’t wait to get one!
I think the government should stay out of my business!!
Papers please! I see some wrong think going on!
Derrr took our jeeeeebs
Just think of the nice road you drive on to get to work 👍
Against seatbelt and helmet laws too I bet
And when you retire, no Medicare or ss for you!
I'm here watching this video with 8 stitches in my left middle finger as I one finger type this out! Thankfully I still have it! I've been a weekend woodworker for many years and made a mistake last weekend. This video has opened my eyes and I will be installing my blade guard back on before I hop back on my saw. You can never be too careful! I'm a walking example and still cringe thinking back to my lapse of judgement. It only takes once and there is no take backs! Thanks man! 👍
I am glad I came across your video. I'm 45 years old with an Autistic mind. And I was cutting wood not too long ago with an old tablesaw my mother got from her mother's after granny passed, and had a kick back twice. Tore my hand up pretty good just from the woof. Healed now. Buy always nice to find videos like these to help me develop some more ideas to check for before cutting. I tried to watch some videos before using tablesaw. I knew the "basics and how they worked and what not, but been a long time since I've seen anyone use one. So I appreciate the video. I'm just getting in to woodworking so it's nice to know what I'm getting into and how to use things more carefully and what the parts are for and how they should operate, the tiny parts; like spring tension and such. I was actually looking to figure out how to manipulate and move bigger piece of logs. I had someone dump just about an entire red oak tree in my driveway for me, for free. Now I just need to figure out how to move it without the special lifts and such. Lol
Appreciate all the advice. I’ve been wanting to get into more wood working - but table saws are one of the scariest tools to work with. Now that I’m planning on buying one, it’s good to just be really sure of what the things to avoid are.
I have only found your channel recently but love it! I love the everyday detail that you put into the information that you pass on! You eliminate questions that we have before we need to ask them! I have no doubt that you have saved many injuries for your viewers. Also, I like that you don’t push expensive tools on us! Keep up the great work and I, and many, many others will keep watching! Thank you for everything you do! Truly outstanding!!!
I am a beginner and found this video very helpful. Thank you.
Glad you found it helpful!
So far the best safety video about tablesaws I've seen, thanks. Although as a beginner, I just bought my first tablesaw, recommending a tourniquet when using this tool is makes it feel all quite intimidating honestly, but together with all the safety tips it also made extra aware of the dangers involved and importance of taking safety measures. One question I have though about the cross cut sled: why is it safe(r)? Does the sled act as a riving knife?
I’m getting my first table saw today, thank you for this. I’m relieved to find your channel.
This is the BEST video on UA-cam dealing with this subject ❤❤❤❤
Just shared your video with my daughter/homeowner/DIYer who just bought a DeWalt saw for a kitchen remodel. Excellent points, sir. BTW one tip I would add: do not operate the saw if you've worked all day and you're dog tired sleepy. When you're rested, you're more alert.
EXCELLENT fuggeon job ! I've been using table saws for 34 yrs and had only one semi-serious kickback. I have learned my lessons for "set up" and "use" . Your presentation is the best I have ever seen .....anywhere. Thank Your Doctor SafetyNet .
One of, if not THE, best videos on tablesaw safety. Thank you.... Should be a Must See for anyone taking up woodworking.
I never thought of having a tourniquet in my workshop - great idea, especially for me, who has had some table saw kickbacks and a few injuries. I picked up a 3 pack on eBay for only $14. So I have one by the saw, put one in my car, and gave one to a good friend of mine, a retired ER doc, who thinks there's slim chance I'd do anything to cut a major artery - yet, he's the one of us who cut off his finger on his table saw.. Anyway, great tip, the whole vid is excellent and beginners and pros alike would benefit from watching it. BTW, my ER friend told me - never put the tourniquet on a bone, like your elbow or wrist, lest you pinch a nerve and have permanent and major feeling loss. Put it on muscle. And mark the time, time is important. And you should have a doctor remove it. He said best is to first try direct pressure with a towel or rag, clean or not, if that doesn't stop it, use the tourniquet. Maybe someone mentioned all this down through all the 1400+ comments. Watch those youTubes on how to use them!! Thanks a bunch, all your vids are great.
This is the best table saw safety video I have seen. I feel safer now thanks for this.
Thank you so much for that beautiful, professional, informative, well planned and executed video.
After 3 Kickback events and one injury, I put my table saw aside and use only a Jig and circular saw.
This video is so important!!! none of my accident would happened if I was watching this before .
I consider seriously to use it again, but not before review your video just before action.
Great Job,
BTW, we can feel that you are a very wise man out of the video you have made.
Thanks again, Joel from Israel.
Thank you so much for making this video! I haven't used a table saw much and just acquired one this past summer. I am really, really glad that I found this video before I start using it.
Finally someone mentions tourniquets. I keep them in the shop, in my truck, strapped to my tool bag, and in the normal first aid kit. After getting out of the Army I view first aid very differently. I think everyone should be trained in Stop The Bleed. These movie tourniquets of a bandana and a stick or a belt pulled tight just aren't going to stop bleeding at the pressure that needs to be applied. Tourniquets HURT. They are supposed to, that's why they are so effective (when trained on proper use}. Thanks for mentioning that. I really like your videos, keep it up!
90% of that cuts I make are free hand no fence. I do love the introduction of the riving knife. This knife makes it so much more safe also helps you push the material into the blade without a kick back. Skilled carpenter!!!! I would never tell a novice to use a table saw the way I do.
I am anticipating my first table saw to arrive within the week, and I have appreciated your videos about the table saw. Appreciate your time and expertise as I feel properly introduced to its proper operations. Thanks for sharing your faith.
Very much appreciated. I'm trying to make anything and everything and have never taken shop. I am a weeds kind of person so I get discouraged easily with no practial learning. Your tips are super helpful. I'm struggling with being really accurate, but your videos are really helpful. Thanks so much!
Thanks for this excellent video. I've watched it several times just to refresh the things I was taught by my grandfather many years ago. Your recommendation to keep a quality tourniquet readily available caused me to stop and think hard about that, and about my "resistance" to purchasing a SawStop. I strive to be really safe in the shop, but I finally realized that no one suddenly decides "I think I'll go to the shop and cut off some fingers today..." They are called "saw accidents" for a reason... I'm on blood thinners, and realize that I might have even less time to react than most people. I ordered the tourniquet you recommended (x2, so I can practice - with BOTH hands), and I recently sold my old-tech table saw to help defray the cost of purchasing a SawStop. The one I could (barely) afford is Compact Table Saw - the "baby" of the family. Yeah, it was expensive, but still a LOT less $$$ than even ONE trip to the ER, not to mention the potential life-long impacts of losing a finger or hand. And with the PCS, I cannot use a dado stack, but having a router table mitigates that concern.
So, even though I now own a SawStop, I have pledged to myself that I will keep on using the same safety techniques I used with my old saw, and which you shared (quite concisely, I might add) in this video. Watching this video is mandatory for anyone who wants to work with me in my shop - no exceptions. Thank you again for making this video. It's simply great!
Great reminder of things I was taught in shop 40 years ago, emphasis on 40 years ago. I am just getting back into this and I can't believe how much I have forgotten and how many of your "don't do" things I did when I started again.
Great tips and demonstrations. New to table saws, you covered everything from safety and how accidents occur to helpful accessories like the GRR gripper, Jessem Stock Guides and how stock push sticks can become brittle and over time and break. Thank you!
Thank you so much for being so passionate about having a tourniquet. Best advice I've heard given concerning woodworking in years!
Very informative...I am new to woodwork and want to fulfill my long-time passion in carpentry. I stumbled across your video and it's a great guide to a beginner as myself. Thank you for this piece and for all that you do.
Hey man thanks for that video, it's very helpful and I can tell that it makes me a lot more confident to start using a table saw. My great grandfather and my grandfather cut some of their fingers badly and my father lost about 5 or 6 phalanges and I was very very skeptical and not sure about starting to use a tablesaw because I've always figured things out with a circular saw or even a mitre saw. That being said, I'd strongly recommend this video to anyone who starts using a tablesaw, this has helped me suffocate a lot of confidence issues lol!...but staying safe and never too confident of course !
Great video recently had a bad kick back at work. Thought Id take prevented measures and stay safe. Ive been using table saws close to years so it can happen to the best of us. Another thing to mention have the least amount of the blade cutting through your material as possible. Less likely chance of getting hit by the blade. Be advised the blade burning the material means you have to slightly raise the blade so it dosent burn the motor out.
Very well done, clear and detailed enough. Son left behind an old table saw without blade guard or accessories. My uncle cut through his thumb, had surgery, turned purple and black, eventually healed, impressed me about table saws, useful but dangerous if used without knowledge or by "false moves".
Thank you for reminding me of the key safety issues that my dad told me 50 years ago. Always a good idea to review safety.
I learned basic woodshop skills on a radial arm saw! My opinion. One heck of dangerous equipment! Then, I got exposed to a table saw! Game changer! But new safety rules! Then what I call the chop saw! While each saw has dangerous issues! They are a major game changer to the old radial arm saw! Being fully aware at all times is the number one safety rule! Love stop blood flow gadget thingy! Great advice!
Just bought my tablesaw and watched a few videos but this is the best one ive seen. Good work man!
Thank you very much for your valuable recommendations , I wish I had seen this video before using my table saw . I was very lucky not to have serious injury but a small one two days ago . I had wearing a hand kerchief and I tried to get the sawed wood over the blade and in a moment , less than a second , the blade took the handkerchief and a very small part of my finger . Thank you again and I highly recommend to the users to follow your instructions.
Recently acquired a table saw and I learnt so much from this video. Thanks so much.
As a woodworker I give you the biggest shutout . Your video is spot on ,Safety safety safety There is no such things as SHORTCUTS when using any power tools . Thank you for making this video and educating folks on safety and the dangers these tool have when not following these rules . Love your channel BTW.
I recently sold my compound mitre saw because it was just too big & couldn't fit it inside. I decided to invest in a table saw as it didn't take up as much room. Fortunately, I decided to research how to use a table saw in between putting it together. I'm so glad I did! I didn't realise how dangerous they were! 😮 I'm going to have to get some accessories & take extra heed to what you have said and shown in this video! The drop-down compound mitre saw seems like a baby in comparison! Thank you so much! I'm going to rewatch this a few times before using it and, of course, subscribe! 😊 Maybe I should've stuck with a smaller compound mitre saw considering I'm no spring chicken! Too late now! Just have to learn how to carefully and safely operate it! 😊
Excellent video!!! Not that everything else wasn't great, but your "stand to the left in case of kickback" suggestion was Golden! I've never heard that before. Thank you.
What an excellent informative video! I am so glad I watched it, I purchased my first table saw last week, so many great safety tips. I'm 72 and you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Thanks for a great video. Your lessons on how to avoid kickback are a very helpful reminder. I had used a table saw for over 40 years before I had my first accident - caused by kickback pushing my hand into the blade. I now own a sawstop - while a sawstop's technology can reduce the risk of injury, you still need to use safe practices. I already use several of the safety tools you recommend & will be purchasing more.
Just started doing wood work. Found your video really helpful. Thank you. Stopped me from making some rather silly mistakes