*graphic warning* Saw safety, replace guards!

[4570Man]

Thanks for info. Can you or others speak more on the subject of setting blade depth.
I never know how, or why, to adjust the depth of my circular saw.

All I know is that when cutting a “corner” out of a board, sheet of plywood, etc.. that a deep blade (cutting “upwards”) makes matching the corners easier as the cuts aren’t beveled. But there must be a reason blade depth is adjustable.
Does it make a difference on whether board will get “splinters” when cutting, or is that a function of what type of blade you’re using?

Pardon the hijack of the thread regarding this “related” topic, let me know if I should post these questions separately.

I’m not sure what the “proper” method of setting a table saw blade is. I like the blade about an inch high when I’m cutting laminate floor and at least a 1/4” higher than the thickness when I’m cutting 3/4” or thicker wood. My Dad is in the 1/16” of the blade sticking above the wood camp and I feel that it’s more dangerous. If we both took our hand across the blade I’d loose fingers and if he was lucky he’d get off with a heavy duty bandage but he’s way more likely to actually get hurt doing it. He’s all the time fighting the material trying to ride over the blade and pulling material backwards to re cut something that didn’t get cut all the way through. I’m not suggesting raising the blade to max height for everything but I don’t think 1/16 sticking up is the right approach either. Also some good push blocks something better than a scrap stick of wood makes the experience a lot safer.

 

[4570Man]

Safety wasn’t necessarily the idea when I bought it although it is safer one of these is a big time saver for laminate flooring. BTW I’ve had a drill press with a 1” forstner bit take a chunk out of my hand the same way the OP got bit.

 

[Industrial Toys]

This is another in my OSHA collection. Only mitre saw I own. Had a foot pedal for a while as the trigger was junk and failed but micro switch couldn't take the current and stayed on. So, now only the toggle switch at the side (But it's CSA APPROVED) . I like to think of it as a cruise control. SCARES even me and commands a lot of respect and focus.

 

[dougtrr2]

When I was student teaching a student did the same thing you did, but he missed the blade by a fraction. He was oblivious to what he had just done. I stopped the entire class right then. We went back over the safety requirements.

The kids were supposed to wear safety goggles at all times. There were times we would be in small groups gathered around some aspect of the sheds we were building. I alway got a kick out of stopping my instruction, looking around at the kids, and then very seriously saying "Did you know that it is a medical fact, that your hair or your neck cannot go blind?" They would get the hint and put the goggles back on.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Frankenkubota]

A few years ago I saw a fella had invented a sensor that would stop! a table saw blade instantly, as soon as it senses flesh. He demoed it with a hot dog.

I saw it 2-3 times, worked every time. I believe a big piece of aluminum is mounted and spring loaded below the table. The blade slams into that, stop!

I'm guessing it somehow measures resistance or something but, it worked. I couldn't test it with my finger if my life depended on it!

 

[jclaudii]

I do know alot of stories come from shop class! I guess they just don't do dangerous stuff as much now days. My Mom got her hair caught in a bench top Wire wheel when she was in HS shop class years ago. When I went through the same shop class the AG teacher told the same story so both boys and girls would put their hair up, hoodie strings, chains on wallets, etc. I mean what we discuss about safety is not far from the common sense side either. I see way too many stories about someone who died taking a selfie or walking while looking at their phone int traffic or another scenario. I'm all for experience but some experience comes at a great cost...as I admire Frankenkubota's Avatar of a kid sticking a knife in a electrical socket!

 

[CobyRupert]

Shop class stories!
I remember being in 7th grade, my friend swiped his finger near the table saw blade and he feigned that he had sliced his finger off. Grasping it with his other hand, and jumping up and down in pain. The teacher turned white as a ghost, then my friend stuck his hand in the air and raised his finger up and said: “Joking!”
The teacher was NOT happy. The shop class didn’t have a wood shed, but it had a lumber room, and he got taken to it. Let’s just say my classmate got bounced off the walls a few times as he heard a lecture about making jokes about injury. The good old days!
The teacher quit a year or two later, and later on I learned that he was considered a highly sought talented artisan woodworker. Youth is wasted on the young they say. Back then, I thought shop class was the “blow off” class. I regret I didn’t know enough to learn more from such a talented guy who had to put up with a bunch of squirrelly 13 year olds he’d rather run through the table saw himself.
Apologies Mr. Dunham.

 

[Tinhack]

Oh heck, I've got a sheet metal shearing machine, benders, rollers and punches. I even have an old 30ton Toledo No.4 OBI punch press from the 1930s. If you're stupid or put your fingers where they don't belong on any of them, you'll loose them in an instant. That old OBI has spindly sheet metal covers but for the most part, open gearing. The pinion is about 6" in diameter. The main gear is about 30" in diameter. If you put your finger in there, it will pull your whole body in and you'll come out the other side in slivers. Tools aren't toys!

I always grimace when I read "I got a new toy today" and they're talking about some new machine. :2cents:

 

[Industrial Toys]

Just like getting somewhere using my brain and not GPS, I kind of like using my brain to control my behavior, not getting hurt, rather than the Nanny State Bubble wrapping me. Same with driving. I don't get hurt because I sort of know how to drive, rather than not getting hurt because my vehicle is loaded with safety features.

 

[drizler]

I got rid of my Sears table saw becuase it just scared me. Needed some plastic strips ripped so went to the friend I gave it too. Plastic shot out and I ended up in the ER anyway for stitches! lol

,

That痴 a sacrilege! Those old Sears saws are the best deals out there. People snap them up on Craigs List and Marketplace like treasures fix them and are very happy campers.