Have the blade extend only 1/8" (3.175mm) above
the top of the workpiece. Exposing the blade above
this point can be hazardous.
Figure 8-12
Dado cutting – Dadoing is cutting a wide groove
into a workpiece or cutting a rabbet along the edge
of a workpiece. A dado insert (optional accessory,
not provided) shown in Figure 8-13, is necessary
for this type of operation.
Do not use the standard table
insert for dadoing operations.
Figure 8-13
The process of cutting 1/8" (3.175mm) to 13/16"
(20.64mm) grooves in workpieces is accomplished
by the use of a stacked dado blade set or an
adjustable type blade mounted on the saw arbor.
By using various combinations of stacked dado
blades, or properly setting the dial on an adjustable
blade, an accurate width dado can be made. This
is very useful for shelving, making joints, tenoning,
etc. The guard, riving knife, and anti-kickback
pawls supplied with the saw should be used for all
cutting operations where they can be used. When
performing operations where the guard cannot be
used, as in some dadoing operations, alternative
safety precautions should be taken.
These include push sticks, feather boards, filler
pieces, fixtures, jigs and any other appropriate
device that can be utilized to keep operators'
hands away from the blade. Upon completion of
the operation requiring removal of the guard, the
entire guard assembly must be placed back on the
machine in its proper working order.
Never use a dado head in a
tilted position. Never operate the saw without
the blade guard, riving knife and anti-kickback
pawls for operations where they can be used.
10.0 Safety devices
Feather board
The feather board (Figure 10-1) should be made of
straight grain hardwood approximately 1" (25.4mm)
thick and 4" (101.6mm) to 8" (203.2mm) wide
depending on the size of the machine. The length
is developed in accordance with intended use.
Feather boards can be fastened to the table or rip
fence by use of C-clamps. Alternatively, drilled and
tapped holes in the table top allow the use of wing
nuts and washers as a method of clamping. If this
method of fastening is used, provide slots in the
feather board for adjustment. (The illustration
shows a method of attaching and use of the
feather board as a vertical comb. The horizontal
application is essentially the same except that the
attachment is to the table top.)
Push stick & push block
The use of a push block or push stick provides an
added level of safety for the operator. A push stick
is included with your table saw, but you may wish
to make others personalized for different cutting
procedures. The templates in Figures 9-2 and 9-3
offer construction details.
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Figure 9-1