Hi everyone.

I'm still getting used to my new t/s. Upgraded from a small bench top to one with a big table.

Yesterday I was ripping a 1/4" plywood piece for the bottom of the baby cradle I'm working on for our first gg son.I had the wide side along the fence and was cutting about 2" off of it. I had a heck of a time keeping it against the fence. I think I've read somewhere that a tile float works good as a push block for doing this??

Any and all suggestions would help for next time.

Thanks

That would work, or you can take a block and put a piece of 220 grit sand paper on the bottom with spray adhesive, put a handle on it and use that.

 

Keep force against the fence as you push it through.

Almost sounds like you might have an alignment problem. Did you do any set up on the saw when you first got it? Align the blade to the miter slot, and then the fence to the miter slot? If you're having an issue keeping the work piece against the rip fence it (the rip fence) may not be parallel to the blade.

Rick

Harry, what kind of TS do you have?

Assuming there is no alignment problems I'd say you just need some practice. You need to push in two directions at once. You'll get use to it in time. I never use aids on large pieces but will occasionally wear those tight fitting latex gloves for better grip on slick materials.

It's a new Ridge 4512.It's sure a lot different than my old bench top t/s.

I know I need more practice with it.

When I set it up, everything was on the $$, adjustment wise.

If you haven't yet, give your table saw top a good waxing.

 

Rick

That is a nice saw. I have a Rigid and like it very much. As Rick said you need to put a good waxing on the top and that should make it slide easier.

 

John

 

Harry Brink said:

It's a new Ridge 4512.It's sure a lot different than my old bench top t/s.

I know I need more practice with it.

When I set it up, everything was on the $$, adjustment wise.

Yep, wax that top, they are a little grippy out of the box. What might be happening is your having to push too hard and on one side, throwing the material away from the fence.

I don't think you need more practice. I do think you need to recheck your fence alignment. Maybe it got bumped or maybe the locking nuts are not tight. Another possibility is the board itsself. Being quarter inch, it has a tendency to bow. Even the slightes bow will pinch the blade. When you saw, maintain the edge against the fence and be sure both sides of the board are flat as it passes over the saw and maintain that all the way through the cut. Push it through with out applying any pressure down, up or sideways. Sometimes I will concentrate so hard on one area, I forget another.

 

Checked out the saw before I used it again today. The fence was off a little. Reset it and waxed the top. NOW it works really good!! Still, it's a learning curve getting used to it. 

Take a piece of 2x4 and cut 3/16ths off of it but leave a 1 inch "Lip" on the back of it to grab the wood.

 

Should look like this on the bottom

                                                                                                               I

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                I

                                                                                              I----------------I

 

You also might want to check out the bottom edge of the fence to make sure it didn't catch the bottom or slide under the fence.

Harry, glad that made a difference. I stop every month and spend a day cleaning and waxing the tops of my equipment. Just follow Ralph's quote and keep your fingers back at least 6" from the blade.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

Harry Brink said:

 

Checked out the saw before I used it again today. The fence was off a little. Reset it and waxed the top. NOW it works really good!! Still, it's a learning curve getting used to it.