Have spent most of the afternoon cutting finger joints. Each board can take 4 or 5 minutes to complete, then it takes me 30 seconds to a minute to begin a new one.
The question: Which is easier on the tablesaw - staying running while I prepare the next piece, or powering it off, and then shortly back on?
If the answer is to leave it running, then it may be on for over an hour (until I need a break).
Just new to this and want to learn the right things!
I always wondered about this also. I am no expert but I always turn the saw off if I am not cutting something and 100% of my attention is not focused on the spinning blade. From a safety perspective I do not see how a spinning blade unattended can improve safety. Turning on and off frequently may not be good for the motor (big maybe there) but I rather deal with a burnt motor than an accident. Interested in seeing what experts have to say.
I concur, I've seen people leave it on, cutting 8/4 stock with no guard and it just irks me. Like Camper said, I'd rather have 100% focused on that blade spinning than not, you burn a motor, or a belt, its better than loosing a finger or getting kickback from something potentially moving around while your setting up.
It depends on how you are setup for your cuts. When I have many parts that are cut the same like finger joints I prepare all parts in a stack and cut them in sequence without powering down saw.it takes 10secs to get next part setup for the cut.
But if it takes you longer to align parts then power saw off between cuts for safety sake.
Keep in mind that, for many of us LJs, we have table saws that impart nearly zero vibration and run with barely a hum that's almost unrecognizable with simultaneous dust collection. It's real easy to forget your saw is running.
Definitely, unless you have multiple cuts already stacked together to run through the saw, then have a procedure for how you handle the saw between cuts. If you are consistent in that regard, then you won't make a mistake around the blade.
Oh, and it's not just fingers, but also your workpieces. This is one of the reasons I lower the blade between cuts. I've actually marred perfectly prepped wood by swinging it into the still blade. If your table saw often doubles as an assembly table, then it's probably a good habit to get into. Just be sure to clear the table before you make any more cuts!
Are there any complications from cycling an induction motor on and off several times in a relatively short period? Thought I had read something along those lines once upon a time.
It sounds from your description that you are only taking 30-seconds or so to get the next board ready to cut. If that is the case I would leave the saw run. If I am not going to cut anything for a few mionutes, I always shut it off then.
Thanks for asking this question. As a newbie it is great to hear (read) the input from others with more experience. I seek out these type of questions and associated answers because I know that I don't know everything and there are often a variety of issues that I am not aware/familiar with. It is always the "simple" questions that are often not asked for fear of appearing dumb. As the old saying goes….The only dumb question is the one you don't ask!
Again, thanks for asking.
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