Table Saw Blade-9 Tips for Maintaining Your Table Saw Blade

FACTS CHECKED BY  NICOLE PAV 

Table saw with blade exposed
Caption: Table saw with the blade exposed

When making precise, straight cuts, few tools are as easy to use as a table saw. The table saw blade is a large piece of equipment with a blade protruding upwards. Using the guards and other parts of the saw, you will have no problem cutting lots of different types of wood. Whether it is doing projects like building homes or something bigger, you’ll have to use a table saw and maintain it to get the best results. Learn how to easily maintain your table saw blades, and you will enjoy the years of efficient use you’ll get.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Cleaning Sawdust

Table saw ready for work
Caption: Table saw ready for work

A massive problem many people have is sawdust. The issue is that sawdust gets everywhere, and when it does, it causes a lot of problems. If sawdust is getting into your motor, then your motor is almost certainly going to overheat. When this happens, the blade starts spinning improperly, leading to the degradation of the quality of the cut. It can be a very dangerous thing. What you should do is vacuum all after you have finished using the table saw for the day. It will ensure you always have a motor that works properly. Get the sawdust out of all the nooks and crannies for a table saw to work most effectively.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAMnYsf5XqI

Section 2: Table Saw Blade–Check Gears and Pivot Points

The way that a saw blade cuts through the wood is not that complex. The blade spins and cuts wood. However, the wood’s angle is different, meaning you must maintain this area. Gears and pivot points are vital for securing wood. Table saws work with gears and pivot points snapping into place. If they snap in weakly, then you could be in danger. If the wood swings out, that could be extremely dangerous. Therefore, make sure everything clicks into place so you can cut accordingly.

Section 3: Cutting Blade Cleaning Methods

A clean blade is a blade that works efficiently. The more feed pressure there is, the worse the blade is cutting. Besides having a rougher cut, the wood can jump, which poses a serious threat to injury through blunt force or cutting. Therefore, cleaning the blade is necessary. Pitch and gum remover is the best tools for cleaning. When you are doing this cleaning, unplug the machine. The last thing you want to do is trigger the machine to turn on, which would be extremely dangerous and possibly life-threatening.

Section 4: Table Saw Blade–Maintain Tabletop

There are lots of different things that accumulate on the tabletop. Gum and resin cause all sorts of problems. The biggest problem is the wood-feeding starts sticking. It means cuts become uneven and dangerous. There are some simple ways you can clean the tabletop. Oil lubricant is a popular method for cleaning the tabletop. But whatever you use, the best thing is some steel wool. Because table tops for table saws are metal, they are quite receptive to a steel wool cleaning.

Section 5: Table Saw Blade–Clean Plastic

There are several different plastic pieces on a table saw. The problem with these pieces is they are magnets for resin, gum, and dust. Because people focus on the blade and other prominent parts of the table saw, they miss these plastic pieces. When you fail to clean the plastic pieces, you allow contaminants to get near the motor simultaneously, causing the table saw to operate inefficiently. The cuts become jagged, and the table saw’s safety is not as optimal as it should be. Instead, make sure you keep all the plastic-looking good as new. Use dishwashing detergent and warm water to clean these pieces, and your life will be much easier.

Section 6: Blade Raising and Tilting Mechanisms

Since the blade raising and tilting mechanisms control how the blade cuts, maintaining these parts of the table saw is a must. These pieces lock into place solidly, and you should always make sure everything is clear. One thing that will happen after repeated uses is these mechanisms will begin to loosen. The looser they are, the more problems arise. Make sure that you are doing a check before and after you use the table saw. You are ready to begin using the machine when everything is in tip-top shape.

Section 7: Alignment Check

An aligned blade will cut quickly and efficiently. The reality is that blade alignment is a really easy way to keep yourself safe. When the feed goes into a misaligned blade, this opens up so many ways that you could get hurt. Therefore, it is imperative always to make sure your blade aligns before you make a single cut. The way to do this is you will check the motor and arbor pulleys. The key here is to use a straightedge. Your table saw is properly aligned if everything is flat against these straight edges. It is something imperative to do before turning on the table saw.

Section 8: Belt Check

There are a few things that you need to consider with the belts as you check the alignment. The first thing is to inspect the belts on your table saw. Make sure the belts don’t look worn. A worn belt has rounded teeth, not sharp teeth, and it also has a looseness to it. You can tighten the belts with ease. Many times, all that you need to do is tighten a screw. A loose belt causes your table saw blade to spin at an improper speed. It means your blade will not make the right cuts and could have feeding problems.

Section 9: Checking Blade Guard

The blade guard is a very important part of the table saw. It is one of the ways to protect yourself from the blade’s power. There are a few things you can look for to make sure your blade guard is in great shape. The first thing you need to do is to check the anti-kickback teeth. These teeth must be sharp. If they are sharp, that will keep the wood in place, and the sharp teeth keep you safe. The kerf splitter needs to stay in line with the blade. It makes feeding work correctly. When your blade guard is working properly and assuring your safety, as with all things, ensure that when you check the blade guard, you have the table saw unplugged before you begin your maintenance routine.

Section 10: Storage Tips for When Table Saw Blade is Not Used

Well-maintained table saw


Caption: Well-maintained table saw

There are a few ways to store your table saw and keep the blades from getting damaged. The first is never put items on top of the table saw. Items can move and shift, so your table saw blade could become compromised. If you must use the table, saw the platform to hold other items, remove the blade first, and store it in a safe location. Re-install the blade when you are ready to work.

Another thing you should do is to cover your table saw. Using a drop cloth is a simple method to keep your table saw from getting dust in all the nooks and crannies. A drop cloth that is a little heavier will offer lots of protection and avoids warping the blade. Keeping your table saw stored properly is a simple, easy way to avoid any problems that could endanger you when using the table saw.

Final Thoughts

Table Circular saw in use
Caption: Table Circular saw in use

The table saw is remarkably efficient and cuts wood quickly. Having this tool in your arsenal is a great way to move along with any project. Maintaining your table saw properly means every cut you make is safe. On NCcuttingtools, you can customize the table saw to meet your requirements and various products. These products can help keep your table saw clean and productive for years. Please feel free to contact us.

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