Learning about its different parts is essential if you plan to get a table saw for the first time. This woodworking tool may be easy to use, but its various components can be confusing.
The main parts of a table saw include the tabletop, the blade, and the mechanical components. Additional parts are specifically designed for user safety, while others assist with cutting.
Retired mechanical engineering technician Stephen Kao, a skilled DIY enthusiast based in Dublin, Ireland, shared his thoughts on the importance of understanding the different parts of a table saw.
He explained, “It is crucial to know and understand all the components and functions of your saw so that you can use it to its full potential and in a position of safety!”
Tabletop
The tabletop is a smooth, flat surface that supports workpieces. It typically consists of the main table and the right and left extension wings.
The extension wings expand the tabletop surface to support wider stock and sheet materials. The width of these extension wings determines the width of material the tabletop can fully support.
Table Slot
The table slot, also known as the miter slot, runs parallel to the blade as a long groove on the tabletop. It guides a miter gauge or other accessories like the tenon jigs and feather boards to allow precise, accurate, and safe cuts. The table slots usually measure ¾ inches wide by ⅜ to ½ inches deep.
Fence and Fence Lock
The fence is a guide set up to stay parallel to the blade, regardless of the adjusted distance. It allows you to maintain a constant distance between the workpiece and the blade while cutting. This ensures that any two or more boards passed between the blade and the fence will be the same size.
A key feature of a fence includes a secure locking system that holds it in place when locked and an adjustment mechanism that ensures it stays parallel to the blade. The fence also includes a scale on the rail that helps you set and adjust the distance from the blade.
Blade
The blade is the most essential part of a table saw, mainly used to cut wood and other materials. It spins at high speeds to make precise, straight cuts. Table saw blades come in various types and sizes so that you can choose the right one for your specific project needs. Some of the most common types of blades used in a table saw include:
- Rip Blade
- Crosscut Blade
- General Purpose Blade
- Combination Blade
- Dado Blade
Ensure the blade on your table saw is the correct type and size for your workpiece. This ensures safety and protects the machine from damage.
Throat Plate
The throat plate, also known as the insert plate, is a removable panel on a table saw that encircles the blade as it comes through the tabletop. It provides access to the blade while supporting the material as it passes through. The manufacturer’s throat plate has a finger hole for easy removal.
The throat plate is typically made of aluminum and phenolic resin, which won’t damage the carbide teeth of the blade when they come into contact. Additionally, throat plates are available in custom options to accommodate specific blades or cutting needs.
Height and Angle Adjustment Handwheels
The height adjustment wheel raises or lowers the blade to allow you to control the depth of the cut in the workpiece. It has a locking system that helps ensure the blade height is accurate during cutting operations.
Meanwhile, the angle adjustment or tilt handwheel sets the blade angle for making angled cuts. The front of the table saw features a bevel scale that displays the tilt angle as a guide. Please note that larger table saws have handwheels, while smaller models usually have handles.
Mechanical Parts
The essential mechanical components of the table saw include the motor, trunnions, and arbor assembly. Together, these parts drive the blade and ensure smooth and precise cutting performance.
Motor Assembly
The motor in a table saw drives the blade to enable it to spin. Most table saws feature induction motors ranging from 1 to 5 horsepower. Models designed for hobbyists and home usage have motors under three horsepower, allowing them to operate on standard 110-volt residential circuits.
Higher-quality saws often feature a “totally enclosed fan-cooled” (TEFC) induction motor. This motor is sealed to keep out dust and other particles, which is useful in a woodshop and designed for continuous use.
Trunnions
The trunnion assembly enables the saw to tilt by keeping the blade aligned with the rip fence and the miter slot. The front and rear trunnions also secure the motor and arbor assembly. Additionally, they absorb vibrations from the motor and blade, transferring them to the saw’s base and table for stability.
This trunnion assembly is mounted on the table saw cabinet or the underside of the tabletop. If the miter slots do not align with the saw blade, you can loosen the trunnion assembly and adjust it to correct the issue.
Arbor Assembly
The arbor assembly includes the arbor, a shaft that holds the blade, and the sector gear, which raises and lowers the blade. The sector gear, an arc-shaped component, works alongside a worm gear connected to an adjustment wheel to control the blade’s height.
The standard arbor diameter for a table saw with a 10-inch blade is ⅝ inches. Industrial table saws often have larger arbors. The arbor shaft typically has a left-hand thread opposite the blade’s rotation to prevent the nut from loosening when used.
Safety Features
Some parts of the table saw are specifically designed to enhance user safety. The blade guard system, for example, covers the blade during cuts to prevent accidental contact with it.
Additionally, advanced safety features like flesh detection technology, magnetic switches, and emergency stop buttons offer extra protection for the user.
Blade Guard Assembly
The blade guard system consists of three parts: the blade guard, the riving knife, and the anti-kickback pawls.
- The blade guard keeps your hands from getting too close to the blade while still allowing a clear view of the blade and cuts. It fully covers the blade to let you see it clearly but prevents your fingers from touching it.
- The riving knife keeps the cut from closing around the blade, which reduces the risk of pinching or binding that can cause kickback. It also prevents pieces from rotating back into the blade after cutting to minimize kickback risks further.
- The anti-kickback pawls have spring-loaded teeth that grip the board to prevent it from being pulled back toward the blade if the cut starts to bind or pinch.
Advanced Safety Features
- Flesh Detection Technology is an advanced safety feature that senses human skin upon contact with the blade. The technology automatically stops and retracts the blade within milliseconds to prevent serious injury. Developed by SawStop, this life-saving technology is particularly beneficial for inexperienced woodworkers.
- Magnetic Switches will prevent the table saw from restarting immediately after a power outage. This feature gives users better control to ensure the saw does not automatically turn back on when the power is restored.
- Emergency Stop Buttons provide the fastest way to shut down the table saw in an emergency. You can easily access these buttons and quickly press them to cut power to the saw if any issues arise during the cutting process.
Other Parts
The table saw has additional accessories that help improve safety and efficiency. These accessories can help make a smooth and efficient cutting process.
Miter Gauge
The miter gauge works with the table slot to make crosscuts. Depending on the gauge, it can also be adjusted to cut angles from 0° to 45° or more. The miter gauge comprises a cast metal protractor head connected to a metal bar and slides smoothly into the table slot on the saw’s surface.
Push Sticks
A push stick, or push block, helps guide the workpiece through the blade while keeping your hands at a safe distance. It provides better control over small or narrow pieces to prevent slipping or kickback.
Using a push stick reduces the risk of accidents, making it an essential safety tool for table saw work.
A final word of advice: Stephen had this to say when asked about table saws: “Ask knowledgeable people about techniques and sequences how to do certain jobs! Take classes and learn if necessary! Don’t be too macho and have unnecessary ‘accidents’!”
Ask a Pro for Assistance
Knowing the parts of a table saw is crucial for safe and effective use, particularly for new DIYers. However, if you have an urgent carpentry or remodeling project, hiring a professional can help you complete the job faster, avoid errors, and ensure safety.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled handymen and handywomen in seconds and leave the rest to us.
Read more:
- What is a Table Saw?
- How to Use a Table Saw for Beginners
- 7 Table Saw Alternatives for New DIYers
- 6 Types of Table Saws: What’s the Difference?
Main Image Credit: edojob / Adobe Stock Free / License
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