To discuss the differences between a table saw and a miter saw, this article starts with a table saw.

Things You Should Know About A Table Saw

Table saw is the best and most versatile power saw. It can be used for a lot of cuttings. Whether it is simple cuts, making miters, making crosscuts, or even ripping boards.

The major advantage it has over a miter saw is that it can handle many cuts that a miter saw can do and it can do much more. So, it is a must-have in a woodwork workshop.

For cutting large boards for cabinets/furniture, for trimming lumber pieces, or for remodeling, a table saw will help you out.

Its major disadvantage is its cost. Most table saws cost over $1,500. If you are not going to carry out serious projects, you won’t need to cough out such a large sum of money on a power saw.

Pros Of A Table Saw

1. Table saws are versatile

Table saws are highly productive and versatile. With a table saw, you can make all kinds of cuts. A table saw can make crosscuts, rabbet, dado, and many more. There are some cuts you can’t make with a miter saw.

2. They are the best for larger material

When you have large boards and other materials to cut, your best bet is a table saw.  Since you take the materials to a table saw, you can cut any kind of material with it as long as you have enough room in your workshop.

3. Table saws are more powerful than miter saws

By virtue of how powerful they are, table saws can cut through any material quickly and with so much ease. You won’t need to apply any physical force. You only need to position the material properly.

Cons Of Table Saws

1. They are dangerous

Despite the fact that the most recent table saws come with a lot of safety features, they are still very dangerous. They are more dangerous than miter saws because their blades are exposed. One little mistake in the use of a table saw can lead to serious injuries.

2. They are expensive

As mentioned above, a table saw costs much more than $1,500 and that makes them very expensive. You should be sure that a miter saw cannot handle your cuts before you purchase a table saw.

3. They take a lot of space

They are usually big and they will take a lot of your workshop space. That is why you can’t move them around. You can’t use your table saw anywhere else apart from your workshop.

4. Things you should know about a miter saw

A miter saw cannot handle all the cuts that a table saw can handle but it has a huge advantage over all table saws. Have you heard of angled cuts? There are some projects that require making cuts at different angles.

A table saw may not help much here. A miter saw is the best for such cuts. It is a machine with a blade mounted on it and so you can bevel it or tilt it to the right or to the left to the required degree.

Picture frames, door frames, and crown molding are some of the projects that require blade tilting and it is best done with a miter saw. While miter saws can also make crosscuts, they can’t cut rips like table saws.

Although there are several types of miter saws, they can all do the same thing. They are suited for the compound, bevel, and miter cuts. In short, a miter saw is suited for precise wood and mold cuts and for complicated designs.

Pros of miter saws

1. Accuracy

Miter saws provide a high level of accuracy in the cuts. So, when it comes to cuts that require high accuracy and precision, a miter saw will be your best bet. In fact, it is better than a table saw in these situations.

2. They are great for miter and bevel cuts

A table saw blade can only move up and down to vary the depth of cuts. It can’t tilt or bevel to the right or left. It is only a miter saw that can do just that. In fact, a miter saw is the best for bevel and miter cuts.

3. They are astonishing with angled cuts

By virtue of being able to tilt and bevel a miter saw, you can use it to make angled cuts easily. Whether it is 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 90-degree angle cuts, a miter saw will deliver it but a table saw can only do a 45-degree cut. If you are going to be making a lot of angled cuts, then a miter saw may be indispensable to you.

5. They are safer

A miter saw is not as dangerous as a table saw because it comes with an automatic brake that stops the machine fast. In addition, miter saws hardly kick materials back. So, if you are concerned with safety, you may go for a miter saw.

Cons Of Miter Saws

1. Unsuitable for rip cuts

While a miter saw can make a variety of cuts, rip cuts are not one of them. It can only make cross cuts across the width of a board. You need a table saw for that.

2. They can’t cut large stock

The design of the blade of miter saw makes it impossible for the machine to cut through plywood and other large materials.

Final Verdict

After reading through miter saw vs table saw, it should be clear to you that both of them have their pros and cons. So, if you are a professional woodworker or you aspire to be one, it is necessary to have both of them. But if you can’t afford both, you may purchase a table saw first.

This article discusses the steps involved in changing a table saw blade but before then, let’s talk about knowing when to change or sharpen your table saw blade.

Important Signs Your Table Saw Blade Is Dull

1. It will require more force and effort

The first sign is that the strength you need to cut through pieces of wood will increase because when the blade is dull, it will require more effort to perform the same tasks it used to perform easily.

2. It will be slower

Despite applying more effort, you will also notice that the blade’s cutting speed has reduced. The task that used to take less than 5 minutes to complete will now take more than 7 minutes, and it will keep getting worse.

3. There will be louder noise

The motor will become noisier since it is now working much harder than it was designed to do.

4. It will consume more power

You may also notice that the amperage of your table saw will increase. In other words, it will now use more energy to perform the same task. Meaning that your electricity bill will increase, thereby raising your operating cost.

Why You Should Fix Dull Blades Urgently?

What you should bear in mind is that when any of these problems occur, it will just continue to get worse until it becomes unbearable. Moreover, the longer it takes you to either sharpen the blade or replace it, the more you shorten the lifespan of the blade.

It is better to sharpen it as it costs much less than replacing the blade. However, you can only sharpen it several times after which you must replace it.

When it gets to the point when sharpening the blade does not improve the situation, it means a replacement is due. Now, let’s discuss the steps involved in changing a table saw blade.

1. Steps involved in changing a table saw blade

To change the blade of your table saw, you need the following tools and material. The new blade, a screwdriver, Hex or Allen Wrench, and a small block of wood.

2. Turn the table saw off

May seem obvious but some users have forgotten to turn off their table saw before attempting to change its blade. This is why it is necessary to make it the very first step. You can also disconnect entirely from the outlet and then give it some time for the power to drain out of it.

3. Remove the blade plate and the blade

The next step is to remove the blade, but you have to remove the blade plate first. It is the metal that is on the top surface of the table saw. Check around for all the screws that secure the plate and remove them one by one. Turn the screws counterclockwise to loosen them. After that, you can remove the plate to pave the way for blade extraction.

Now, you can now remove the blade. You need to place a block of wood against the blade to prevent it from turning accidentally. Remove the nut and washer holding the blade in place with a wrench. Gently remove the blade and put it out of reach. You can either take it to be professionally sharpened or install its replacement immediately.

4. Install a blade (either the sharpened old one or a new one)

Gently place the blade in its rightful position with its teeth pointing towards the front of the table. After that, you can now place the washer and nut and tighten the nut against the washer to hold the blade in place.

Turn the nut clockwise to tighten it. After that, install the plate the way you want it.

It is often advisable to study how the parts are connected or fixed before dismantling them so that you will be able to put them back correctly again. You can now reconnect it to power.

5. Safety tips for the use of a table saw

While a table saw is extremely useful, it is also dangerous as there are numerous table and chain saw accidents. However, if you follow the required safety tips, you can use the equipment for many years without encountering an accident.

Many professionals have been using them for years without an accident. So, here are essential safety tips for applying when using a table saw.

6. Always wear safety equipment

Wear hearing protection and safety glasses. You should also avoid loose-fitting clothes, jewelry, and necktie when using a table saw.

7. Keep your work area clean

Always keep your work area free from sawdust, cutoffs, and stock. A clogged table will hinder your ability to make accurate cuts, and you could step on cutoffs and fall while working.

8. Study and learn about your equipment’s safety features

Every heavy equipment comes with its safety features, and you may not be able to take advantage of them if you don’t study them properly.

So, it is important to study the safety features of your table saw before using it. Anti-kickback pawls, riving knife, and blade guard are all meant to protect users. So, they should be adjusted appropriately.

9. Disconnect from power before changing the saw blade

Whenever you want to remove the blade or fix anything in your table saw, it is necessary to disconnect the equipment from power totally because you could mistakenly hit the power button and switch it on.

10. Ensure there is no obstruction before starting the table saw

It is also necessary to ascertain that nothing is hindering the spinning of the blade before you start it.

11. Other miscellaneous safety tips

Always maintain a good standing position while working. You need a good balance, and you should not stay in the way of kickback so that if it occurs, you won’t be hit.

When necessary, use a push stick to push the board through the blade instead of your hands. This will protect your fingers from the blade.

Final Verdict

Now, you have not only learned how to change a table saw blade, but you have also learned the signs you will get if your table saw blade is dull.

Most importantly, you have also learned a few essential safety tips required when working with a table saw.

A table saw is a powerful tool, and it is also very dangerous.

Learning by trial and error is not advisable with a dangerous and powerful machine like a table saw. This is why this detailed guide has been written.

Important Safety Tips On The Use Of A Table Saw

1. Always wear safety equipment

Wear hearing protection and safety glasses. You should also avoid loose-fitting clothes, jewelry, and necktie when using a table saw.

2. Keep your work area clean

Always keep your work area free from sawdust, cutoffs, and stock. A clogged table will hinder your ability to make accurate cuts, and you could step on cutoffs and fall while working.

3. Study and learn about your equipment’s safety features

Every heavy equipment comes with its safety features, and you may not be able to take advantage of them if you don’t study them properly. So, it is crucial to study the safety features of your table saw before using it.

Anti-kickback pawls, riving knife, and blade guard are all meant to protect users. So, they should be adjusted appropriately.

4. Disconnect from power before changing the saw blade

Whenever you want to remove the blade or fix anything in your table saw, it is necessary to disconnect the equipment from power totally because you could mistakenly hit the power button and switch it on.

5. Ensure there is no obstruction before starting the table saw

It is also necessary to ascertain that nothing is hindering the spinning of the blade before you start it.

6. Other miscellaneous safety tips

Always maintain a good standing position while working. You need a good balance, and you should not stay in the way of kickback so that if it occurs, you won’t be hit.

When necessary, use a push stick to push the board through the blade instead of your hands. This will protect your fingers from the blade. Most importantly, it is necessary to make your first cut under the supervision of a pro.

7. Major types of Cuts

In woodwork, there are only three major kinds of cuts done with a table saw. These cuts are dado cut, ripping cut, and crosscut. A crosscut is the one that goes across the narrower direction of the board.

It is done with the use of a miter gauge. A ripping cut goes through the length of the board, and a dado cut is a wide cut used in joinery.

Making Your First Cut

1. Check all the safety features

Before you do anything, ensure that all the safety features of your table saw are in place. Ensure that the fence guide is set to the correct position for the size of the cut. It has to be parallel to the blade. The blade cover has to be firmly placed. What about the anti-kickback system? Is it in place? You need to confirm that too.

2. Set the blade height

After confirming that all the safety features are in place, the next thing is to set the height of the blade to suit the depth of cut you want to achieve.

Your supervisor should advise you on the suitable height for your cutting project but don’t let him set the height for you. The earlier you do things yourself, the quicker you will get the hang of it.

3. Position your piece of wood

Now, you can set the position of the wood that you want to cut. Consider its angle and set in such a way that the blade will cut through it much easier.

4. Make your cut

Gently push the piece of wood through the blade and don’t rush it. Position yourself very well too. Although there are is an anti-kickback mechanism in table saws now, kickbacks still occur. So, don’t stand in the way of kickbacks.

Position yourself in such a way that if the material is kicked back, it won’t hit you. While cutting, you should also keep an eye on the cut line to avoid deviation. If you are cutting small objects, use a push stick. Your fingers should never get too close to the blade.

5. Little maintenance

The table saw has low maintenance. You only need to check the drive belt for wear and also check the blade teeth for chips. When you notice any of the two, you need to start planning for a replacement.

6. Necessary precautions in the use of a table saw

While it is environment-friendly to use recycled wood, nails and other metals could be in it, so you need to check and ensure that the wood you want to cut does not have any metal.

It is needless to remind you that metal will damage the blade of your table saw. Always retract the blade when not in use. Someone may trip and fall on the table in your workshop.

When you have to push the wood you are cutting through the blade, always use push blocks and sticks. Don’t be in a hurry not to use one. Never risk losing any of your fingers. Clean up your workshop after every cutting session.

Working on a cluttered table can hinder your accuracy. Use either a miter gauge or the fence. Don’t use both of them at the same time as it could increase the risk of a kickback.

Don’t force the wood into the blade as you could damage the motor. If the blade does not cut wood as fast as it used to cut them, it most likely means that the blade is dull. Get it professionally sharpened or replace it.

Final Verdict

Now that you have gone through the article. You already know the basic steps on how to use a table saw. The more you practice, the more you will improve. Apply all the safety tips and never work in a hurry.

In every standard woodworking shops, the significant of table saw is incomparable to the use of crude tools. It aids users to have intricate cuts and even make accurate precisions.

Table saws are of different shapes and features depending on the very one that you purchased. However, the conventional types that you can find are contractor and cabinet table saws.

The major differences between them are the weight and the type of material used for the construction of their tables.

In other words, regardless of the type that you’re using, all table saws can effectively cut tapers. Of course, doing this is simple.

Provided you don’t know what a taper means, it simply means the legs of a table/chair that’s irregularly cut whereby the length is slant. It’s constructed in a way that the bottom is thinner than the top.

Therefore, what this article is bound to enumerate is the systematic way that a user can imbibe in having the simple cut of tapers on table saws.

So, check out for more information below:

8 Things to Consider about How to Cut a Taper on a Table Saw?

1. Preparation

2. Markings

Use a marker to identify the line that you intend cutting on the piece of wood. You can use a ruler to do this after you had made a kerf on the wood.

Please, note that the target is to ensure that the legs are not wholly thin. Apart from the marking of the main part that you intend cutting, you can also mark the additional part that wouldn’t need to be cut.

Thereafter, get an extra piece off guard board and attach it onto the workpiece so as serve as the demarcation.

You can screw both pieces together. Notwithstanding, the workpiece itself have to be underneath so as to avoid accidents.

3. The Setting of the Machine

4. Cutting

Having done all that, you might want to begin to cut. You would have to switch on the power and adjust the position of the blade. Afterwards, pass the kerf on the rotatory blade.

The fact that you use a guard for the taper, you can be pretty sure that you’d make accurate precisions. Just ensure that you gently/steadfastly hold the taper as it passes on the blade.

Please note that precautionary measures have to be taken while cutting off the taper so as to avoid accidents. You can use the extension if in case you intend cutting a long size taper.

5. Evaluation

Check the cut taper and know whether you’ve made the right cut. As a matter of fact, use the measurement ruler again so as to ascertain whether you’ve made the right cut.

Provided you’ve not made an error. You can reattach it onto the guard wood then re-undertake the process so as to get the right endpoint. Try it again, again, and again so as to master the process.

6. Replication

Just as you did to the former, you can try the same process. However, ensure that the precisions are accurately taken.

You can even lay each piece on each other so as to evaluate the correspondence of the sizes. Just switch off the machine whenever you’re done.

You can even use a brake, so as to intermittently operate the unit. Once that’s done, you can proceed the next point.

7. Cleaning of the Unit

8. Practice

Imbibe the procedures that we’ve provided and you’d find out that you’re close to mastering it. In fact, practicing this would aid you to use it for caring out all manner of tasks.

Final Verdict

I hope that now you’ve learned how to cut a taper on a table saw. The interesting part is that you can inculcate the same process in the cutting of all kinds of wood. As a matter of fact, you can use the tactics here in the cutting of other projects.

The maintenance of table saws is as significant as its utilization. In fact, the longevity of its use depends on maintenance.

The frequent maintenance of table saws provide you with a huge certainty that you’d make a clean cut and the performance would be lucid. However, there are two types of table saw that you might like to know.

They are contractor and cabinet table saws. Regardless of the type that you’re using, the majority of their functionalities are the same.

In other words, the material that a table saw comprises of is a huge determining factor to the method and the frequent cleaning that a table requires.

For example, table saws that are made of cast iron require more of cleaning than those made of cast aluminum, why?

Because they are vulnerable to rust even though they are not in use. Indeed, cleaning a table saw is not just about getting rid of the rust but also the removal of clogs in all parts of the unit so as to augment the performance of the unit.

So, let’s consider the 8 systematic ways of cleaning a table saw regardless of the type that one is using.

8 Things to Consider about How to Clean Table Saw?

1. Removal of Workpieces

Before you begin the cleaning of the table saw, ensure that the power is switched off. Ensure that you’ve completed a set of projects before you begin the cleaning of your table saw.

Make sure that no wood nor equipment is laying on the top of the table. However, get them all off from the surface. Then use a clean cloth to clean the fragments off the surface.

Thereafter, detach the blade from the plate and any other detachable component from the unit. Once you’ve done all these, separate them apart to an isolated area so that you can focus solely on the cleaning of the surface of the table.

2. Preparation

First off, identify the materials that are used in the construction of the table saw that you’re using. This would help you to know the manner at which you’d clean it.

Also, identify the type of cleaning that you want to carry out first before you begin. Peradventure you want to casually clean the table, then you would need to get a pail of water that has detergents spilled into it, with a cloth.

Nevertheless, provided you want to get rid of rust, then you would have to get a thick head brush alongside with the soapy water and the clean cloth, so as to rub it.

3. Removal of the Blades

The various designs of table saws are in categories. There are some that their blades have to be removed with the aid of tools while some don’t require a tool.

Therefore, know the very one that your table saw belongs to. You can find out from the manufacturer on helpful tips that you can utilize in the removal of your blades.

Please ensure that the blades are to be judiciously removed if at all you’ve not done that before. Once you’re done with the removal of the blade then you can move on to the next point.

4. Cleaning of the Blades

5. Cleaning a Table Made of Cast-Iron

There are units that their tables are made of cast iron. If in case this seems to be your case, then there are two ways that you can clean off rusted parts on your table.

You can wipe it off by taking the nominal process and you can use this second method. The only time that you can utilize the second method is when the unit hasn’t been used for a long time.

At this point, you would get a container filled with salt and another filled with lime. Sprinkle a quantifiable amount of lime on the rusted part with some equal amount of soapy water then you can scrub the surface with the hard-head brush. Afterwards, you can rinse it and wipe off the dabs of water-drops.

6. Cleaning a Table Made of Cast Aluminum

Just as we explained, clean the table by mere wiping off the grits from the surface first before you begin to clean the surface.

Then get the cloth soaked in the soapy water that you’ve made available. Pull out the cloth and squeeze it until the water gets drained.

Then use the damped part to wipe off the dirt from the surface of the table. This is just the rational way of cleaning tables made of cast aluminum.

7. Safety Precautions

8. Repetitions

The best way to get the mastery of this is by continual practices. The more you practice, the more you are adept.

Final Verdict

This is how to clean a table saw and you won’t suffer damages at all at the aftermath. It would even preserve the material that’s used in the construction of the unit. Nonetheless, the tips supplied here are applicable to all kinds of table saws.