The Table Saw Book
Completely Revised and Updated,
Learn How To Choose and Use A Table Saw

Kelly Mehler, who makes some of the most beautiful furniture in America, shows how to get the most out of this essential tool. This comprehensive shop reference is now completely revised and updated with new color photography throughout. You'll learn what to look for in choosing a table saw and accessories (including sawblades). He gives valuable tips on setting up a table-saw work area in your shop, and shows how to tune and maintain the saw for smooth, accurate, and safe operation. Mehler also covers the many innovations in tablesaw design and new accessories since the last edition.

By following Mehler's clear, step-by-step instructions, you'll learn how to handle oversized and undersized stock and produce precise, repeatable joints and parts. You'll also learn how to build practical jigs and fixtures to improve the safety of your work and get true and accurate cuts every time.

The companion video to this book is Mastering Your Table Saw, available in DVD or VHS format.

Introduction:

What a great opportunity to be able to write a second edition of The Table Saw Book! There have been a number of changes in the world of table saws and accessories since the first edition was published in 1993.

One of the most surprising changes has been the upsurge of interest in table-saw safety. Hundreds of people have contacted me with questions, comments, and -- most poignantly -- their personal stories. I have been touched and moved to action by the phenomenal impact that a one-second close encounter with a table-saw blade can make on a person's life. As a result, you'll find throughout this book the best safety information currently available to help you perform your work safely, accurately, and conveniently. As you'll see, I've covered the latest in commercial blade covers and splitters. I've also provided many suggestions for crafting your own simple safeguards. The sections on table-saw tune-up and maintenance have been thoroughly revised, organized, and expanded to give this all-important topic its due. After all, if your saw isn't properly tuned up and maintained, you're compromising the quality of your work, as well as your personal safety.

I've addressed European table saws and combination machines more often in this edition, and for good reason. These tools are making major inroads into the American market due to the space economy that they offer the small shop. As I discuss, they also typically feature superior safety equipment.

So whether you're a novice woodworker or a seasoned professional, you'll find this new edition brings you up to date on the latest developments in the world of table saws. Of course, there is also plenty of meat-and-potatoes technique to help you build your furniture, which is what you bought your saw for, after all. The complete index will help you locate the information you need, and the Sources section will help put you in touch with manufacturers of saws and accessories.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Introduction to the Table Saw
Table-Saw Anatomy
Basic Safety Equipment
Types of Table Saws

Buying a Table Saw
What Size Saw?
Combination Machines
Features to Consider
Buying a Used Saw

Table-Saw Blades
Blade Design and Anatomy
Selecting the Right Blade for the Job
Gauging Blade Quality
Specialty Blades
Blade Stiffeners
Blade Care

Safety
The Risks
Safety Accessories
Dust Protection
First-Aid Procedures

Table-Saw Tune-Up and Maintenance
Initial and Periodic Tune-Ups
Arbor and Bearings
Cleaning and Lubricating the Internal Parts
Eliminating Gear Backlash
Pulley Alignment and Belt Inspection
Setting the Blade-Angle Stops
Stabilizing the Base
Aligning the Tables
Aligning the Miter-Gauge Slots to the Blade
Aligning the Splitter to the Blade
Adjusting the Rip Fence
Adjusting the Miter Gauge
Cleaning and Maintaining Work Surfaces
The Table-Saw Workstation
Saw Placement
Wiring
Lighting
Dust Collection at the Table Saw
Shop Accessories
Tools at the Table Saw

Ripping
Preparing Wood
Basic Ripping Techniques
Ripping Long Stock
Ripping Sheet Stock
Ripping Narrow Stock
Ripping Short Pieces
Ripping Thin Stock
Ripping Thick Stock
Resawing
Ripping Angles
Ripping Bevels

Crosscutting
Guiding the Workpiece
Basic Crosscutting Techniques
Repetitive Crosscutting
Crosscutting Wide Panels
Crosscutting Short Pieces
Crosscutting Bevels
Crosscutting Miters

Cutting Joints and Shapes
Butt Joints
Rabbets, Dadoes, and Grooves
Sliding Dovetails
Lap Joints
Bridle Joints
Mortise-and-Tenon Joints
Finger Joints
Miter Joints
Coves
Kerf Bending
Pattern Sawing

Sources

Index

Soft-cover, 8 x 10 in., 208 pages, with color photos and drawings
Published 2002

ISBN: 978-1-56158-426-0