Cutting boards
lengthwise, called ripping, is the task a table saw does best. But ripping on a
table saw is so simple that it’s easy to become complacent and forget that a
table saw is one of the most dangerous tools in the shop. Fortunately there are
techniques and safety equipment that can eliminate most table saw injuries. In
this article, we’ll show you the safe way to make a variety of rip cuts
including long rips, skinny rips and even rips to straighten a crooked
board.
Install The Blade Guard That
Came With Your Saw
A blade guard assembly
that includes a splitter and an anti-kickback pawl is standard equipment with
every table saw. If you’ve set yours aside, now’s the time to dust it off, dig
out your instruction manual and reinstall it. Keeping this safety equipment on
your saw and in good working condition is crucial for safe cutting. The plastic
guard keeps your fingers away from the blade and deflects flying debris. The
splitter keeps the board from pinching the blade and kicking back at you.
Kickback danger is further reduced by the anti-kickback pawl, which has little
teeth that grab the board and prevent it from hurtling toward you if the blade
pinches or binds during the cut.
Safe ripping starts with
adjusting the blade height. In general, the less blade exposed, the safer your
sawing operation.
Photo 1 shows
the safest height for good cutting perfomance.
