Table Saw Safety

[Randy_]

Do you unplug your table saw before changing the blade or the belt??

 

[clthayer]

No offense, but this is kind of a no brainer. Would you sharpen an electric chainsaw with it plugged in?

My old table saw had a dead spot in the motor. If you turned it on and it didn't start, turn it off, spin the blade and turn it back on. I knew it was there, but someone else came and used it and got a nick in their thumb because they didn't know. Now suppose you didn't unplug it, thought it was off and went to change the blade? Sounds like a big painful mess to me.

Christian

 

[Randy_]

I think most people would agree with you. On the other hand, your second paragraph illustrates the fact that some folks do do thoughtless things. In the situation that you described, I would have used a piece of scrap wood to "test" the saw.....my fingers would have never come close to the blade!!

 

[beaverfsu]

Randy-All of your polls made me think once again about safey. I don't think twice about unplugging the TS, router, BS, etc. when changing belt/blade-It happens automatically. But am not as deligent with the DP when changing the belt. Alot of times I will pull the saftey key out of the on-switch. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[redbulldog]

All the polls in the world will never replace good old common sense!!!

 

[Randy_]

Sometimes, folks just get a little lax and need a reminder.[^]

 

[ctEaglesc]

I have only changed the belt on my TS once when upgrading to a link belt.
Am I missing something?
Why else would you need to change the belt?
I ALWAYS unplug when changing blades but didn't vote.

 

[Randy_]

Not missing anything. Was just trying to be reasonably consistant from poll to poll by asking about belts for all of the tools that have one(or more).

 

[opfoto]

I always unplug when servicing most of my shop/or tools. I have heard about some of the close calls and worse. I do not want to add my name to the list of those.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Table saws are scary things. I unplug mine just to look at it. []

 

[wdcav1952]

Originally posted by Rifleman1776
<br />Table saws are scary things. I unplug mine just to look at it. []

I'm with Frank on this one!!!!!!

 

[ctEaglesc]

I cannot say that I am not "afraid" of a tablesaw though I know full well that every time I use it I am susceptible to an accident.The same thing goes with a chain saw.
I envision a chain breaking and slicing into my leg far more than I am of kickback.
Routers are another"exposed blade" cutting tool that make me think twice... no every second I am using it.
If I had a fear of these tools I may as well sit in front of the tube or take up another pass time(like drinking[])
I have what I like to call a "Healthy Respect" for these tools.That doesn't mean that I am not cognizant of the fact they have the ability to "bite" me one day.
In truth I have had 2 accidents that took place in a commercial shop that was OSHA (Occasional Search and Harrassment Association)"approved".
One accident was directly attributed to a supervisor removing a gauard off of a bandsaw be casuse it hit him in the head every time he changed the blade.
If you are afraid of a tool then IT becomes the master.
Learn to respect it and you will be able to work in unison.

 

[jscola]

At our woodturning club meeting yesterday we had a slide show on safety Very grapic & scarey. Unplug all power tools befor working on them!!! Also showed what could happen when working with a ring on.Always safety first!

 

[Geo in Winnipeg]

Table saws don't bother me at all as long as they are in good working condition (all safety stuff there like guards and splitters) and properly adjusted - ie: blade and fence parallel, etc.
Like Eagle said - "I have what I like to call a "Healthy Respect" for these tools". If you don't you will get bitten by them sooner rather than later.

 

[Yarael]

Well the only 2 power tools that I have right now are a DP and my lathe. Got more but all put up in storage. Think mainly because my stepdad is to afraid to use them as they are his. Found a grinder hiden in the work bench. Now to just find a spot for it. It also is solid cast iron it looks like same as the DP. And probably just as old. No clue what the wheels look like. But I am one that if changing blades/cutters on anything unplug from AC. Why get lax and invite some sort of injury.

 

[fiferb]

I always unplug my table saw and lower the blade below the table after use.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Frankly, I'm shocked there are ten people here who not only DO NOT unplug for blade/belt changing, but are willing to admit it publicly.