Micro-Adjusting Rip fence

Here's something that's long overdue: a safe accurate way to cut very small parts on your table saw. Fact is, it's just not made for that. But with the precision cutting Small Parts Jig in the newest issue of ShopNotes Magazine (No. 105--on newsstands now) it's a snap to cut small and thin parts.

The jig is a small-scale table that sits on your table saw's table. The main feature is a micro-adjusting rip fence. It also includes a cross-cut sled, a zero-clearance insert, and a unique hold-down for small parts.

If you ever works with small parts, you should check this out. ShopNotes No. 105 is on newsstands now, or you can go to ShopNotes.com and get a free preview issue.

Sometimes, the Smallest Change...

...can make a huge difference. About the only thing I don't like about my table saw is changing the blade. A couple weeks ago, Ted Raife, an editor at Woodsmith Magazine, posted a solution to my problem in the Woodsmith Weekly E-Tip. Here it is:
"When changing table saw blades, I try hard to avoid scraping my knuckles on the blade when removing and reinstalling the arbor nut. A very minor modification I made to my arbor wrench helps.
The photo shows this simple alteration. I put a slight bend in the wrench near the arbor nut hole. This makes it easier to slip the wrench over the arbor nut while keeping my fingers out of harms way.
Bending the wrench isn’t difficult. I just clamped the end in a vise and applied a little force. And I've definitely seen a good return on this small investment."

You can get more useful woodworking tips and techniques delivered to your computer each week. Sign-up for the Woodsmith weekly e-tip here--it's free.

Easy Zero Clearance

Most table saw inserts have wide throat openings around the saw blade. This makes it all too easy for narrow cutoffs to fall in the opening and possibly bind against the blade. In addition, there's often chipout along the bottom face where the workpiece isn't supported.

To solve these problems, try this zero-clearance technique. Instead of replacing the insert plate, use a large piece of ¼" hardboard that rests on top of the table saw. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)
To locate the top, set your rip fence for the desired width of cut first. Then slide the hardboard against the fence and carpet tape it in place. Turning it into a zero clearance top is just a matter of turning on the saw and raising the blade. And the nice thing is you can use this insert many times before it needs to be replaced.

You can get lots more woodworking techniques from Woodsmith and ShopNotes delivered to your computer each week by email. Sign-up is free.

Perfect Dadoes Everytime

Dadoes are grooves cut in boards across the grain. They are also cut in plywood and other sheet goods to accept another piece of plywood, as a shelf being let into the side of a cabinet. And they add strength to the cabinet. All pluses.
But they do have one drawback: chipout along edges of the dado. This doesn't matter much if the dado doesn't show in the finished project, but if you're using some expensive hardwood plywood, this can be really frustrating, and worse.
Digging around in the video archives at ShopNotes magazine, I came across this video from a couple years ago, showing seven techniques to avoid chipout when cutting dadoes on a table saw.
If you're not familiar with ShopNotes magazine, do yourself a favor and get a preview issue. Also, check out Woodsmith's Table Saw: Tough Cuts Made Easy softcover book for lots more table saw techniques.

Jointing on the Table Saw

Woodworking is a lot more fun when you can work with edges that are straight, smooth, and square. That's not a problem if you own a jointer. But what if you don't?

Here's a technique from the latest issue of Woodsmith that will turn your table saw into an edging machine - giving you super-clean, straight edges that rival the work of a jointer.

This article is the free download that PlansNOW members got with their bi-monthly e-newsletter last week. Members get a woodworking tip or technique in each e-newsletter, and a link to a free download like this from Woodsmith or ShopNotes magazines.

Cutting Rabbets on the Table Saw

Cutting rabbets on the edges of boards and panels is one of the first joinery techniques most woodworkers learn when they upgrade their joinery skills from glue, screws, and butt joints. There are several ways to cut rabbets, including on the router table, with a free hand router, and on the table saw.
In this 4 minute video, Woodsmith magazine's Managing Editor Vince Ancona demonstrates two ways to cuts rabbets on the table saw, using a dado blade and using a combination blade.