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Rip cuts

Makes cuts “with the grain”

to materials

Typically narrow width cuts on longer length materials

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Table

Flat base for saw that supports the material being cut

Blade angle and height is set relative to table surface

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Blade

Fixed spinning circular blade set into table

Adjusts up and down to set depth of cut

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Blade height adjustment

Raises or lowers blade height for cutting of different material thicknesses

DOWN

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Blade guard

Safety cover for spinning blade

Moves up and away when material is passed through the saw

Must move freely

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Rip fence

Fence guide material moves along as parallel blade cuts through material
Fence position sets width of material

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Fence adjustment

Allows fine tuning of fence position

Check for parallel after adjustment

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Fence lock

Secures fence to prevent movement while cutting

Fence must be locked when in use

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Binding and kickback

Serious hazard when using a table saw

Blade throws material being cut at high speed towards user

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Riving knife or splitter

Safety feature that shields the rear edge of spinning blade

Helps prevent pinching, kickback, and binding

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Kickback arrestor

One way travel of material (front to back)

Helps prevent kickback and binding

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Push stick

Safety tool to remove hands from cutting area

Use at all times when ripping

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Push stick

Safety tool to remove hands from cutting area

Use at all times when ripping

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ON/OFF switch

Know the exact location of the switch

Only user should turn on and off

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Power cord

Short built in power cord

Must be in good working order and not a tipping hazard

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Power cord

Stores on tool for transport

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Miter gauge

Fence must be removed for crosscuts

Limited board widths for safe cuts

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Bevel angle adjustment

Blade angle adjustment

Tilts and locks blade relative to table

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Truing the blade

Blade should be perpendicular to table for most cuts

Use a square to check

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Truing the fence

Fence must be parallel to blade
Check with a tape measure at front and back of blade

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Setup and blade adjustment

Check blade height
Blade squareness to table
Riving knife and blade guard in place
Saw is turned “off” before plugging in

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Blade height adjustment

Set the blade height ¼” to ⅜” above the material to be cut

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Guiding the material

Material rides tight against fence edge for best cut and less chance of kickback

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Hand placement

Start of cut:

left hand holding material to fence
Right hand pushing material into saw

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Hand placement

Once the end of board meets table edge:

No more hands on material
Push stick only for follow through

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Review

Rip cuts are longer cuts made with the grain of the wood
The riving knife, blade guard, and kickback arrestor help in preventing dangerous kickback and must be in place when cutting
A sharp blade, parallel fence, and proper feed technique also minimize binding
The push stick helps keep hands clear of spinning blade
Blade should be perpendicular to table and parallel to fence for safe and accurate cuts
Blade height should be higher than material being cut
Make sure on switch is OFF before plugging in

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