The table saw is one of the most useful machines in the workshop or out on site, but familiarity can sometimes lead us to take risks or ask the saw to do work it wasn't designed for.
Good table saw safety isn't simply about keeping your hands away from the blade. It's also about keeping the workpiece properly controlled before, during and after the cut.
Start with the essentials
Blade guards, push sticks and push blocks are there to keep your hands at a safe distance from the blade and should always be used where appropriate.
But there are other ways to improve control. Longer fences, featherboards, stock guides and extension tables can all help keep timber securely against the fence and table, while preventing longer or heavier workpieces from dropping away as they leave the saw.
Push stick or push block?
Use a push stick for the last 300mm of a cut when your hand would otherwise be in line with the blade, or where there is less than 150mm between the blade and fence.
Push blocks are particularly useful with MDF and thinner materials, providing secure control where a conventional push stick may struggle. They can also be easier to use for woodworkers with reduced wrist strength.
Explore Push Sticks & Blocks →
Longer or higher fences
A larger reference surface gives better control as the workpiece enters and leaves the cut. It can help reduce the risk of kickback, improve cut quality and provide more scope for fitting featherboards and additional work support.
Featherboards
Keeping timber firmly against both the fence and table can be difficult, particularly with longer workpieces.
Featherboards fitted to the fence or table's mitre slots apply consistent pressure to help hold the workpiece in position as it passes the blade. This gives you greater control, can improve the quality of the cut and helps reduce the risk of kickback.
Stock guides
Stock guides mount above the workpiece, usually from the fence. Their angled one-way rollers guide timber or manufactured board towards the fence while holding it firmly down against the table.
This gives excellent workpiece control and helps resist kickback. They’re particularly useful with material that isn’t perfectly parallel, as the rollers continue to guide the workpiece without the operator needing to apply extra sideways pressure.
Don't forget the outfeed
Longer or heavier components can become difficult to control as they leave the saw.
Without adequate support, the weight of the workpiece can cause it to drop or lift. Fence-mounted supports, outfeed tables and roller stands provide extra support, allowing you to concentrate on controlling the cut rather than holding the weight of the workpiece.
Peter’s Tip
"Take a fresh look at your own table saw set-up and think about the complete journey of the workpiece – how you control it going into the blade, through the cut and as it leaves the table.
Would a push block, featherboard, stock guide or additional support give you better control?
And don't overlook the area around the machine. Keep the floor clear and give yourself enough room to work safely. Anyone can trip or lose concentration, which is why technologies such as SawStop provide another valuable level of protection should the unexpected happen."