This is the content required for an introduction to our table saw - reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make it a lot quicker though ;-)
Let's begin! First off, make sure you have read the machine's manual.
Safety
Personal protection: 
A dust mask may also be necessary depending on the material you are cutting!
- gloves: make an informed decision
- some sources say you should wear them to protect yourself against splinters which could surprise you and make your hand flinch in a dangerous position
- others prohibit the use of gloves, fearing your entire hand could be dragged into the blade if one gets caught
| Dangers |
Precautions
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sharp and rotating exposed blade, with chances of flesh wounds and missing limbs
- will keep spinning for a bit after turning the power off!
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- your hands need to stay well clear (at least a hand's width) of the blade at all times
- use a push stick if you have something small to cut!
- do not use the table saw when you are alone in the Space, you might need another Maker to call help in case of an accident
- height of the blade: make an informed decision
- high blade: cuts "down", not pushing against you - makes the saw easier to use and leads to less of a difference between cut distances on top and bottom BUT it exposes a lot of the dangerous blade
- low blade: lower risk of serious injury (could cut into your finger, not as easily trough it) but you have to push the workpiece harder
- use the top blade guard whenever it is not hindering your cut - it should be fixed so its bottom edge is horizontal
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| kickback - if the workpiece is pressed against the blade's side, it can be thrown towards the operator!
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 DO NOT use both fences at once! - never use both fences at once (option: fence + stop block which ends before the blade begins)
- never remove the riving knife ("splitter") and check its alignment before every use of the saw
- needs to be exactly in line with the saw blade
- distance to the teeth should be about 5 mm along the entire edge
- make sure the parallel fence is in fact parallel
- do not cut several pieces on top of each other!
- use a shorter parallel fence when cutting solid wood (Massivholz) - that way, there is room for tensions to be released after the cut (second half of the blade should stand "free") [1]
- stand on the side where you can support the main part of your workpiece (usually the left)
- give the saw time to start up before touching the blade with your workpiece!
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| sawdust and small splinters can fly towards the operator |
- wear goggles
- use the dust extractor and - whenever possible - the top blade guard (sucks up dust as well!)
- wear a dust mask depending on the material you are cutting
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Practical Demonstration
- how to set up parallel fence, miter fence or crosscut sled
- safety switch - accessible by knee so you don't need to let go of your workpiece
- practice cut(s)
