Thread: Got the new 10" table saw, But it scares the **** out of me!

Originally Posted by Des.K.

Dave, what kind of table saw is it? The saw I used in Japan was different to what I had used in Australia, and for some time I was very wary of it. After using it, though, it was just like any other saw.

I'm have to agree with Des here.
Many moons ago when I was young and stupid....ok, MORE stupid than today, my first father-in-law introduced me to his cabinet shop. The main piece of machinery was a Luna W59 combination unit.
It scared me at first but under FIL's guidance I soon became very comfortable and in some ways, reasonably compatent with it.
In time, I developed the most wonderful feeling that there was nothing I couldn't make on that machine. If I could imagine it and find the timber I could make it.

Flash forward several decades and I missed that feeling so I went shopping. Amongst other pieces I found a 12" tilting arbour Woodman with an aftermarket sliding table.
Set it all up, switched it on and ....nothing was the same. It sounded different, it cut different and I definitely was missing that feeling of confidence I once had.

I approached every job on that saw quite tentatively for a time, but soon that old feeling returned. My new "Normal" was the sound and feel of my new TS. By the time I finally retired that piece I was just as confident on it as I had been with the old Luna.

Now, I've got a Durden Pacemaker and the first time I used it that same..."This isn't right" feeling returned. But this time I knew it was only a matter of getting used to the feel again.

So, give it time.
A bit of caution is always a good thing and in time it will feel "right" for you.

Cheers
Jim

Originally Posted by JapanDave

Hey all, Got a table saw with incra fence, But it scares the bejesus out of me! I remember using a table saw back in high school and back then was not a big deal. But now, I am a little concerned, I set the saw up myself attached the blade and aligned it and there lies the problem I feel. I keep thinking that the blade is going to come flying off and embed itself somewhere in my head or body, b/c maybe I did not tighten the blade enough.(even though it says not to over tighten and I did tighten it up with a fair bit of force). And I keep worrying that the blade alignment is no good. I aligned it to within 1/1000" from left to right.

Anyone else feel this way? Or am I just pussy?

You never know when the saw is going to try and bite you. Preventative maint and regular inspections are the best things to improve saw safety. My little Delta 10" contractor type saw was getting a bit stiff to tilt the blade. I wrongly assumed it was a build up of dust in the thread attached to the handwheel and gave it a quick brush and it helped a bit but was still tight. I finished my cuts turned off the saw and as it was slowing down the saw blade suddenly pivoted sideways. It turned out that I had lost a circlip off the nut that runs on the thread and has a n aprox 1/2 dia pin which engages the trunion. On a better saw the nut would be bronze and there probably would not have been a failure but the little Delta has a plastic nut (yes plastic) driving the trunion to tilt the blade. Because of vibration, dirt and possibly the little bit of flex in the plastic nut the pin that engages the trunion simply popped out and dropped the whole assemberly sideways.
After that scare I am doing two things,saving for a better saw and performing routine mounthly cleaning of the under side of the saw and getting into a position with a flashlight where I can clearly see all the bits and pieces and confirm everything is as it should be.
Until this incident I was all confident and comfortable with the saw, now I ensure I have a good range of push sticks and jigs to keep my hands well clear of the blade and where the blade could end up should the nut fail.. In the back of my mind Ikeep thinking about thet plastic nut and does it deterioate with age and when is it going to let go.. I know everything is built to a price but plastic for such a critical part scares me.