Shopsmith Forums

So, down here in the sunny south we woke up yesterday morning to a foot and half of snow on the ground. Mind you, this approaches our normal seasonal TOTAL, and this was just as the last of the last snow was clearing up.

Then, this morning we wake up to MINUS 17 DEGREES, another new record for here. This is about 30 degrees below our normal nighttime lows. Needless to say, none of the snow melted yesterday and is not likely to do so today.

Time to dig out those back issues and reread all those tips and projects, and dream of a warmer day when I can actually go out in the barn and turn on my SS.

Maybe a better idea. Take some time and read here and view the videos.

I just finished watching the PTI's 19 minute introduction to table saw safety video. One shortcoming I noticed was that little information was given about the importance of proper alignment of the blade to the miter gauge slots and to the rip fence. The blade-to-rip-fence alignment being critical to safety. Just a few thousands of an inch closer at the back of the blade than at the front can lead to big trouble and this can be compounded by a fence that doesn't align the same way each and every time. Otherwise, a pretty decent INTRODUCTION.

dusty wrote:Maybe a better idea. Take some time and read here and view the videos.

As it turns out, I was on that site about 2 days ago watching the saw safety video. I thought it was pretty well done and made a great introduction for a newbie without getting technical about why a set-up was not recommended.

Originally posted by: Fiatben
made a great introduction for a newbie without getting technical about why a set-up was not recommended.

Perhaps I'm missing something here about being technical regarding set-up, but I'd like to stress that set-up is key to safety. If your machine isn't set up properly, you're gonna get hurt and I don't care if you're a newbe or have 50 years of experience. If your fence toes in toward the back of the blade, you'll get injured. If you can't rely on your fence being aligned with the blade each and every time you attach it to the table, you're in for trouble.

My problem with the PTIs video is that it starts off by telling you to check for loose parts or things falling off, but no where do they tell you about the critical importance of aligning those specific parts that will allow you to operate the saw safely. But they do tell you to read and understand your owner's manual.

Originally posted by: Fiatben
made a great introduction for a newbie without getting technical about why a set-up was not recommended.

Perhaps I'm missing something here about being technical regarding set-up, but I'd like to stress that set-up is key to safety. If you're machine isn't set up properly, you're gonna get hurt and I don't care if you're a newbe or have 50 years of experience. If your fence toes in toward the back of the blade, you'll get injured. If you can't rely on your fence being aligned with the blade each and every time you attach it to the table, you're in for trouble.

My problem with the PTIs video is that it starts off by telling you to check for loose parts or things falling off, but no where do they tell you about the critical importance of aligning those specific parts that will allow you to operate the saw safely. But they do tell you to read and understand your owner's manual.

You are correct, Art. The video is not conclusive by any means. But then no one video can be. Safety is a full time process, each and every time you set up that machine.

In addition to making saw dust, I tinker almost everyday. I am probably more at risk than most. I change things, install things, remove things just to see how the whole thing works. Inattention when I am doing this could be an invitation for a mishap.

But, I am very much aware of what can happen and I exercise caution every time I turn that machine on.

FWIW, they did mention alignment(very briefly). Since they were not providing information on a specific model, there is no way they could have gone into any detail.

Is the miter gauge slots to blade adjustable on most TS? Doubt that would be considered a 'user serviceable area'.

For what it's worth, I don't think it would be too difficult to include a warning that before you cut anything with your new saw you need to ensure that the fence and blade are aligned properly according to your owner's manual otherwise you could lose a couple of fingers if things don't go right. Some adjustments if done poorly mean the joints in your furniture don't look so nice, while others can make for some scary incidents and a possible trip to the emergency room. The PTI says its mission is to promote understanding of power tools and safety, but in my opinion the video on table saw safety falls short of meeting that objective.

pennview wrote:For what it's worth, I don't think it would be too difficult to include a warning that before you cut anything with your new saw you need to ensure that the fence and blade are aligned properly according to your owner's manual otherwise you could lose a couple of fingers if things don't go right. Some adjustments if done poorly mean the joints in your furniture don't look so nice, while others can make for some scary incidents and a possible trip to the emergency room. The PTI says its mission is to promote understanding of power tools and safety, but in my opinion the video on table saw safety falls short of meeting that objective.

PTI promotes a program, Art, not just one video.