Working with Tablesaws

The tablesaw is the work horse of the modern wood shop. Peerless at ripping stock, this verastile tool can also crosscut accurately and cut a wide variety of joints. This book covers basic tablesaw operations as well as special tasks like cutting coves. Expert woodworkers also offer advice on tablesaw joinery, dust control, and making jigs.

Whats inside:

• Sawing joint-quality edges
• Cutting box joints
• Tablesawn dovetails
• Shopmade tenoning jigs
• Building extension tables
• One-stop cutting station
• Dustproofing a tablesaw

THE NEW BEST OF FINE WOODWORKING series collects the best articles from recent issues of Fine Woodworking magazine. Organized by topic and fully indexed, these books make it easy to access the best woodworking ideas and information straight from the experts.

Introduction

1. Tablesaws and Blades
Nine Midsize Tablesaws
Ten-Inch Combination Tablesaw Blades

2. Techniques
A Tablesaw Primer: Ripping and Crosscutting
Joint-Quality Edges Cut on a Tablesaw
Safe Procedures at the Tablesaw
Taming Tearout on the Tablesaw
Cutting Coves on the Tablesaw
Pattern Cutting on the Tablesaw

3. Joinery
Box Joints on the Tablesaw
Tablesawn Dovetails
Machine Dovetails by Eye
Shopmade Tenoning Jig
Angled Tenons on the Tablesaw
Joinery for Curved Work

4. Dust Control and Safety
Dust-Proof Your Contractors Saw
Shopmade Tablesaw Guards
Causes and Prevention of Tablesaw Kickback
Tablesaw Kickback

5. Jigs for Crosscutting
Reproducing Your Project
Making a Sliding Saw Table
One-Stop Cutting Station
Sliding Fence for a Miter Gauge
A Tablesaw Sled for Precision Crosscutting

6. Shopmade Accessories
Shopmade Rip Fence Assembles Easily, Stays Aligned
Shop-Built Extension Tables

Credits

Index

My first major machine-tool purchase was a garage-sale tablesaw. The tool was all cast iron and sheet metal. There was very little rust to be found, suggesting a well-cared-for history, and it appeared to include all of the necessary parts. When I hit the power switch, the motor came to life with a powerful, satisfying hum. But try as I might, I was unable to rip a board with parallel edges or crosscut stock squarely.

My frustration increased, as the owners manual was not much help. It told me how to assemble the various parts and suggested I should not operate the tool while on drugs or while standing in a puddle of water. Good advice for someone, I imagine. As I went over the machine, I realized that my ignorance was not limited to technique: This saw was in need of a tune-up.

I wish I had this book then. Over the years, Fine Woodworking magazine has published a number of articles on how to use machines safely and efficiently and what to do when they get out of tune. This book is a collection of those articles, including such topics as how to straighten warped lumber on a jointer, choose the best bandsaw blade for a particular job, or set the blade of a tablesaw parallel to the miter-gauge slot.

Whether you are just starting out in woodworking and need instruction on the basics of how to use machines to get flat, square stock, or need more advanced tips on useful jigs for your machines, this book will take your woodworking to a higher level.

-- Anatole Burkin
editor of Fine Woodworking