Bye Bye table saw - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

woodgeek · 10-04-2009, 05:53 PM

Well I bit the bullet and gave my table saw away to a friend as I have decided I no longer need the services of a machine that has tried in so many ways to hurt me.
I figure if I can't cut it with a band saw, circular saw, jigsaw, crosscut saw, scroll saw, handsaw, ax or chisel then I probably don't need to cut it at all. Now I have more room in my shop not to mention peace of mind.

unixpro · 10-05-2009, 03:38 AM

Well, I'm sorry to hear that, but I completely understand. A couple of weeks ago I again took a kickback from my table saw right in the ribs. I didn't have to go to the hospital, but it's been a somewhat painful couple of weeks.

If only the danged thing weren't so darned useful.

woodgeek · 10-05-2009, 04:00 AM

Yeah they can be. I know I used to consider mine a necessity but after getting clocked one too many times I figured there had to be a better way. I don't do a lot of joinery so I can easily make do. I am looking forward to getting a new sliding compound miter saw with a looong reach. I saw just the one I want today at Lowes for 179 bucks.

tomsteve · 10-05-2009, 04:21 AM

man...soryy to hear you were having problems with the t.s. are you sure it was the saw and not the operator??? i have been doin some form of woodworking or another and using a t.s. for about 25 yrs now. i have had a couple of pretty close calls and whenever that occurs, it has been the fault of me.

ncsealeveler · 10-05-2009, 05:28 AM

Hate to hear that but it's better than loosing any digits.Tony

JohnB · 10-05-2009, 05:51 AM

G'day Rod,
You have done the right thing mate.
Machines KNOW when you are bit afraid or uncertain of them and like a dog they take advantage of the situation.

Just be aware, not trying to put you of, but a sliding mitre saw is doing exactly the same thing as a Table saw, Just the blade is upside down, and the saw moves instead of the timber. Be careful with them, they can bight just as bad as any other machine.

sawdustus · 10-05-2009, 11:56 AM

Rod, as far as I can tell, a sliding chop saw works the same as a radial arm saw, same dangers, only not as versatile. Don't blame you for clearing some shop space but I use mine too often to make cuts, like the grooves in my napkin holder bases, that are too difficult, can't, or shouldn't be, made on other tools. I have been severely bitten by my band saw which kicked back a rounded piece I was resawing so I try to think before I cut. Usually works.

george

Bill Wilson · 10-05-2009, 01:15 PM

While I might disagree with your decision, not knowing all the circumstances, it is your decision to make and I respect it. Any and all saws have their dangers. If you are able to make all of your cuts safely on other tools, then you made the right call.

I would just add a PSA though, since I know there are a number of people who visit here who hesitate to use table saws. With proper technique, proper setup and adjustment and the use of the correct safety devices, a table saw is safe to operate. The TS can be unforgiving though, but so can many other machines in our shops. They all require our undivided attention and the utmost focus on safety at all times.

Rolf · 10-05-2009, 01:26 PM

I must agree with Bill. A table saw is a critical tool in my shop, but like any tool it must be properly tuned. I recently re-checked my fence alignment and it was out enough to cause the back of my blade to pinch and potentialy flip the back of my pieces up.
I respect all tools especialy those that rotate and can take off body parts.

Jediscroller · 10-05-2009, 02:14 PM

I agree with Bill and Rolf. I would be lost without my tablesaw. The funny thing is that the majority of serious injuries occur with routers, not tablesaws. But, if you're happy with your decision, then that's all that matters.

10-04-2009, 05:53 PM	#1
woodgeek Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 123	Bye Bye table saw Well I bit the bullet and gave my table saw away to a friend as I have decided I no longer need the services of a machine that has tried in so many ways to hurt me. I figure if I can't cut it with a band saw, circular saw, jigsaw, crosscut saw, scroll saw, handsaw, ax or chisel then I probably don't need to cut it at all. Now I have more room in my shop not to mention peace of mind. __________________ Rod in Molalla Oregon happily cutting with a DW 788

10-05-2009, 04:00 AM	#3
woodgeek Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 123	Yeah they can be. I know I used to consider mine a necessity but after getting clocked one too many times I figured there had to be a better way. I don't do a lot of joinery so I can easily make do. I am looking forward to getting a new sliding compound miter saw with a looong reach. I saw just the one I want today at Lowes for 179 bucks. __________________ Rod in Molalla Oregon happily cutting with a DW 788

10-05-2009, 05:51 AM	#6
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,859	G'day Rod, You have done the right thing mate. Machines KNOW when you are bit afraid or uncertain of them and like a dog they take advantage of the situation. Just be aware, not trying to put you of, but a sliding mitre saw is doing exactly the same thing as a Table saw, Just the blade is upside down, and the saw moves instead of the timber. Be careful with them, they can bight just as bad as any other machine. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" I got holes in both of my shoes Well I'm a walking case of the blues Saw a dollar yesterday But the wind blew it away Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

10-05-2009, 11:56 AM	#7
sawdustus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,975	Rod, as far as I can tell, a sliding chop saw works the same as a radial arm saw, same dangers, only not as versatile. Don't blame you for clearing some shop space but I use mine too often to make cuts, like the grooves in my napkin holder bases, that are too difficult, can't, or shouldn't be, made on other tools. I have been severely bitten by my band saw which kicked back a rounded piece I was resawing so I try to think before I cut. Usually works. george __________________ A day without sawdust is a day without sunshine. George delta 650, hawk G426

10-05-2009, 01:15 PM	#8
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 590	While I might disagree with your decision, not knowing all the circumstances, it is your decision to make and I respect it. Any and all saws have their dangers. If you are able to make all of your cuts safely on other tools, then you made the right call. I would just add a PSA though, since I know there are a number of people who visit here who hesitate to use table saws. With proper technique, proper setup and adjustment and the use of the correct safety devices, a table saw is safe to operate. The TS can be unforgiving though, but so can many other machines in our shops. They all require our undivided attention and the utmost focus on safety at all times. __________________ "I'm a white male, aged 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me! No matter how dumb my suggestions are."

10-05-2009, 03:38 AM	#2
unixpro I need more weekend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Seattle Area Posts: 615	Well, I'm sorry to hear that, but I completely understand. A couple of weeks ago I again took a kickback from my table saw right in the ribs. I didn't have to go to the hospital, but it's been a somewhat painful couple of weeks. If only the danged thing weren't so darned useful.

10-05-2009, 04:21 AM	#4
tomsteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 407	man...soryy to hear you were having problems with the t.s. are you sure it was the saw and not the operator??? i have been doin some form of woodworking or another and using a t.s. for about 25 yrs now. i have had a couple of pretty close calls and whenever that occurs, it has been the fault of me.

10-05-2009, 05:28 AM	#5
ncsealeveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sea Level NC Posts: 266	Hate to hear that but it's better than loosing any digits.Tony

10-05-2009, 01:26 PM	#9
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	I must agree with Bill. A table saw is a critical tool in my shop, but like any tool it must be properly tuned. I recently re-checked my fence alignment and it was out enough to cause the back of my blade to pinch and potentialy flip the back of my pieces up. I respect all tools especialy those that rotate and can take off body parts. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

10-05-2009, 02:14 PM	#10
Jediscroller American Crafstman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Galaxy far, far away Posts: 3,174 Blog Entries: 5	I agree with Bill and Rolf. I would be lost without my tablesaw. The funny thing is that the majority of serious injuries occur with routers, not tablesaws. But, if you're happy with your decision, then that's all that matters. __________________ Kevin Scrollsaw Patterns Online Making holes in wood with an EX-30, Craftsman 16" VS, Dremel 1680 and 1671

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