I just watched a Youtube video explaining how to set the blade height
on a table saw. Two schools of thought were given:

1- The "safety" alternative with the blade barely out of the wood
2- A lot of blade exposed so the cut is more downward then horizontal.
Kickback is reduced by a more vertical path of the teeth down into the
table.

I was taught a third way - the blade should be set so the bottom of
the gullet is even with the top of the board. That is, just high
enough to clear the chips out of the blade.

Ideas? Arguments one way or another?

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On 11/8/2021 3:07 PM, krw@notreal.com wrote:

I just watched a Youtube video explaining how to set the blade height
on a table saw. Two schools of thought were given:

1- The "safety" alternative with the blade barely out of the wood
2- A lot of blade exposed so the cut is more downward then horizontal. Kickback is reduced by a more vertical path of the teeth down into the
table.

I was taught a third way - the blade should be set so the bottom of
the gullet is even with the top of the board. That is, just high
enough to clear the chips out of the blade.

Ideas? Arguments one way or another?

With proper safety protocall in place, nix the first two.

Barely out of the wood increases heat and can cause the wood to react
more and possibly cause a kick back.

A lot of blade exposed, well more harm of being cut, a contradiction of
the first suggestion.

Regardless of where the blade is at there will be a push/kick back if
you loose control of the wood, meaning let go and let the blade have its
way with the wood.

Blade raised to the top bottom of the gullet produces faster, cleaner,
and easier cuts. Less chance for a mistake.

If yu want the blade to be safe, use a diamond tile saw blade. Slow but
safe.

Or get a SawStop and practice suggestion 3.

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When I cut wood 1/2" or less thick boards, I set the blade teeth tips just above the wood surface. For thicker stuff, usually something on the order of exposing the whole gullet. No matter what the setting, general safety concerns and controlling the
board during the cut is paramount.... This includes *knowing(?) the board. Common sense safety includes knowing your saw, as well.

Knowing the board - Lots of my boards are salvaged or rough cut from the log, so gauging how a board will react during a cut is important, especially with my rough cut stuff (I've had logs milled.).

With salvaged boards (from experience!!!), I'm always more aware, these days as compared to when first starting out, of the prospect of hitting a nail or such. Blade height may be of some relevance, here, but I've learned to not be so surprised if I
hit metal. I've kind of learned to *expect to hit metal with some boards, so I'm prepared for that "action", as best I can be, during the cut. Controlling the board and your wits are more important, to me, than blade height. Also, I have a cheap
blade on one saw when I expect to hit metal. Finish or clean cutting is done on another saw with a WWII blade.

Generally, I suppose in my cases, blade height is not the most important thing to regulate.

Sonny

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