Healthy Fear | Articles | Woodworker's Journal eZine

Healthy Fear

Issue: Issue 2.09
Posted Date: 4/24/2001

Bob Filipczak

It could be argued that those who aren't afraid of their table saws probably shouldn't be using them. Nevertheless, it's tough to admit that the things are intimidating in front of a bunch of woodworkers. This woodworker had the courage to admit to fear of the new table saw out in the shop and wrote, "I want to get comfortable, but I can't seem to relax. No other power tool gives me feelings that get in the way of using the tool." This tool, however, did, even though this hobbyist had purchased the full compliment of safety devices. The post ended with a question about building a large crosscut sled.

Most everyone on the forum understood. One wrote, "I think most of us can identify with your situation." There was some consensus around the notion that the crosscut sled, as described, might be too much. Board buddies and featherboards were probably enough and the woodworker already had those.

Here's a summary of the tips that the forum members suggested:

Hearing protection: "the noise of some of these machines can be unnerving, and if your hearing is protected, it allows you to think more clearly," wrote one participant.
Know your switch: a couple of woodworkers suggested that knowing where the off switch is, intuitively, or adding a safety switch that you can hit with your knee, would be helpful.
Outfeed table: almost everyone suggested the merits of an outfeed table, especially for the big pieces of plywood.
Find a woodworking friend: it was recommended that someone with a lot of woodworking experience could be brought into the shop, just to make sure this woodworker was doing everything safely and effectively.

Forum members reiterated that a certain amount of fear of table saws is a good and healthy thing, as long as it doesn't get the better of you. But in this case, with the safety devices in place and a well-maintained saw, there wasn't much cause for undue anxiety.