Shopsmith Forums

Definitely get a copy Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone (PTWFE) I found the copy that was originally purchased with my Greenie and even though it's a 1955 edition the information is still sound and of course is perfectly aligned with my machine.[/QUOTE]
As a pretty much total novice, I second the PTWFE. It has been my best source of information because it is always instantly available. These are the things I have learned, sometimes the hard way. This forum is very helpful, learn to search it. Spend as much time as you can on the sawdust sessions as well. I had a spectacular kick back early on and quickly learned to respect the thing. Some of my issues were: 1. After you read, be sure you follow directions. 2: Don't hurry! 3. As mentioned earlier use the band saw if appropriate. 4: If you are not sure or if you are concerned at all about safety, do not do it ! 5: Do not be intimidated by the process of aligning the saws, or what ever. I was, and did not check the fence, that caused me to have a " minor" problem that would have been no issue at all if I had just done the alignment. 6: I am now using a sled on about everything I do, especially small stuff. Welcome to the forum.

Table saws sure can be exciting to use.

Now that I have a bandsaw, the table saw hardly ever gets used. The bandsaw is a whole lot more docile, and I can do almost all my tablesaw cuts with a bandsaw.

Might I suggest you seriously consider springing the money for a good used bandsaw for your shopsmith?

foxtrapper wrote:Table saws sure can be exciting to use.

Now that I have a bandsaw, the table saw hardly ever gets used. The bandsaw is a whole lot more docile, and I can do almost all my tablesaw cuts with a bandsaw.

Might I suggest you seriously consider springing the money for a good used bandsaw for your shopsmith?

I will second that opinion after just acquiring my SS bandsaw. I have only done a test cut using some oak flooring boards I had laying around. But the bandsaw was able to resaw these boards down to 1/2" thickness all the way around and I never worried one bit while cutting it. The Kreg Bandsaw fence was also a huge help as it is dead nuts accurate and made the sawing almost an eyes closed procedure.................

Kickbacks are serious business...most of us have through a combination of ignorance and misfortune experienced them at some pont in our development as woodworkers...please do not let a kickback scare you away from the table saw...its a great tool, but like any machine that spins really fast, it deserves attention and respect. Lots of good recommendations, tips, guidelines etc have been given but I want to emphasize the one I consider of paramount importance. Use the splitter or riving knive when ripping always...never give in to the temptation to make "just this one quick cut" without it.
Thats my hard-earned $0.02