23.3.4 Setting Up a Table Saw Saw setup includes deciding whether to use the rip fence or miter gauge, setting the blade height, and squaring the blade. The following guidelines should help you decide whether to use a rip fence or miter gauge. As shown in Figure 23-8A, use the rip fence when: • The saw cut will be longer than the distance from the blade to the fence. • The workpiece will pass between the fence and the blade. Hold and feed stock with push sticks when the blade-to-fence distance is less than 4″ (100 mm). As shown in Figure 23-8B, use the miter gauge when: • The saw cut is shorter than the length of the material. • The saw cut will be shorter than the distance from the blade to the front edge of the table. Use the rip fence and miter gauge only when: • The blade height is less than the material thick- ness. In this case, the material is not cut off. This might occur when making certain joints, Figure 23-9. Refer to Chapter 37. • The rip fence supports a stop block for sawing duplicate parts of equal length. The stop block provides clearance between the workpiece and the fence to prevent the offcut from becoming wedged between the blade and the fence. Working Knowledge Inadequately tightening the nut can result in excessive vibration from the blade and a danger- ous condition. Tighten the nut securely. Safety Note When working on any tool or machine that has a power source (pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic) or stored energy, the tool or machine must be locked out according to OSHA require- ments. If the person working on the machine is doing minor tool changes or minor servicing dur- ing normal production operations and has control of the plug on a single power source tool or Patrick A. Molzahn Figure 23-6. The riving knife is installed behind the blade to prevent stock from pinching the blade after it is cut. Patrick A. Molzahn Figure 23-7. To remove the arbor nut, pull the wrench while standing in front of the machine. Riving knife machine, they are not required to put a physical locking device on the plug. However, if the machine is left unattended, it must be physically locked out. A lock, often accompanied by a specialized hasp, is placed on the machine to prevent accidental startup. 376 Section 4 Machining Processes Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Setting Blade Height To set blade height, proceed as follows: 1. With the switch off, disconnect power to the saw and lockout the machine. 2. Loosen the blade-raising handwheel lock knob. 3. Rotate the blade by hand so a tooth is pointing vertically. Procedure