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Have you ever watched a DIY video on YouTube and wondered why professional carpenters seem to take more risks than what’s being taught? Well, in this article, we’re going to explore seven controversial cutting techniques that carpenters use that violate safety guidelines. But don’t worry, we’re not encouraging anyone to use these techniques. We’re simply explaining why carpenters use them and the potential dangers associated with them.
The first technique we’ll be discussing is blade guard removal. While circular saw and miter saw guards are essential, many carpenters remove the blade guard on their table saws for convenience and efficiency. However, it’s important to note that the blade guard is the best way to prevent contact with the spinning blade, so it should be used whenever possible. But if you do need to remove it for certain cuts, exercise extreme caution and always leave the riving knife on for stability.
Key Takeaways
- Professional carpenters often take risks that violate safety guidelines.
- Blade guard removal on table saws is a controversial technique that should be avoided whenever possible.
The Great Blade Guard Debate
In the world of carpentry, there has been an ongoing debate about the use of blade guards. While DIY channels on YouTube often stress the importance of blade guards, professional carpenters tend to take more risks and use techniques that directly violate safety guidelines.
One of the most controversial cutting techniques is blade guard removal. While it is clear that pinning up your circular saw blade guard is a bad idea, many carpenters remove the blade guard on their table saw for convenience and efficiency. However, it is important to note that the blade guard is by far the best way to prevent coming into contact with the spinning blade. Carpenters should use their blade guard, especially if they are new to saw usage.
Another controversial cutting technique is tilting up the board on the miter saw. This involves lifting the front edge of the board upwards while cutting, allowing the blade to reach farther. While this technique seems clever, it is actually quite dangerous as it removes the most stable point of contact, the saw bed. This method should be avoided as it can cause the offcut piece to fall and expose more spinning blade.
Flip ripping on the table saw is another technique that some carpenters use. This involves lifting the end of a longer piece off the saw bed and flipping it end for end to continue the cut. While this method does solve some problems, it does involve some wrangling of the board around the spinning blade, which can create a bad situation.
It is important to note that while these controversial cutting techniques may speed up work or make it easier, they can also be dangerous. Carpenters should always follow normal safety guidelines when using power tools.
Controversial Cutting Techniques Exposed
Professional carpenters often use techniques that violate safety guidelines and make DIYers wonder why they can’t do the same. These techniques are controversial and can be dangerous if not executed properly. In this section, we will discuss seven of these techniques and explain why carpenters use them.
Blade Guard Removal
Blade guard removal is a topic that gets asked about every week. While it is essential to keep the blade guard on a circular saw and miter saw, many carpenters remove the blade guard on their table saws. This is because the table saw blade guard can hinder visibility and become a detriment on tighter rips. Carpenters remove the blade guard for convenience and efficiency, but it is not recommended. The riving knife, which keeps stock from binding on the blade, should always be kept on during normal usage.
Tilting Up the Board
When using a miter saw, carpenters will sometimes tilt up the board to reach the farthest point of the blade. While this technique may seem clever, it is dangerous for a few reasons. First, the offcut piece can come loose and cause havoc if it falls off the table. Second, it removes the most stable point of contact, the saw bed. This technique also exposes more spinning blade with every inch, making it too much to focus on at once. If you need to cut something that won’t fit in your miter saw’s cut range, it is better to use a circular saw instead.
Flip Ripping on the Table Saw
Long rips on the table saw can be a major headache, and setting up supports can be tedious. Flip ripping is a technique where carpenters lift the end of a longer piece off the saw bed and flip it end for end to continue the cut. While this method may seem stable, it involves some wrangling of the board around the spinning blade. You might twist it or drop the board while lifting, which can create a bad situation. While this technique solves some problems, it is not recommended.
These controversial cutting techniques are not encouraged as they can be dangerous if not executed properly. It is always best to follow safety guidelines when using power tools. By discussing these techniques, carpenters can be better informed and prepared for what could go wrong.
Why Pros Can Ignore Safety (But You Shouldn’t)
Professional carpenters often take risks while working and their techniques often violate safety guidelines that are discussed on DIY channels. These techniques are used to speed up their work or make it easier, but some of these violations are clearly a bad idea. However, some techniques are controversial because they contain at least a kernel of logic or wisdom.
The Honest Carpenter Show discusses seven of these controversial cutting techniques, explaining why carpenters use them and how dangerous they can be. By showing these techniques, the show is not encouraging anybody to use them or suggesting that they are better. Instead, the show aims to inform viewers so that they can be better prepared for what could go wrong.
It is important to note that normal safety guidelines should always be followed while using power tools. Any work carried out is at the user’s own risk, and no responsibility is taken for keeping anybody safe.
The first controversial technique is blade guard removal. While blade guards are essential on some power saws, professional carpenters are allowed to dispense with them on the table saw. The table saw blade guard, in particular, has some drawbacks, such as preventing visibility and becoming a detriment on tighter rips. However, the riving knife, which keeps stock from binding on the blade, should always be kept on during normal usage.
The second technique is tilting up the board on the miter saw. Carpenters tilt the board up while cutting it to allow the blade to reach a couple of inches farther. However, this technique is dangerous because the offcut piece can fall off the table, and the saw bed, which is the most stable point of contact, is removed.
The third technique is flip-ripping on the table saw. This technique involves ripping a longer piece of wood, flipping it end for end, and ripping it again. While this method solves some problems, it involves some wrangling of the board around the spinning blade, which can create a bad situation.
Carpenters use these controversial techniques to save time and effort, but it is important to remember that safety should always come first. It is better to follow all safety guidelines and take a little longer to complete a project than to risk injury or worse.
The Perils of Pinning Circular Saw Guards
In the world of carpentry, there are certain techniques that are controversial and often violate safety guidelines. One such technique is pinning up the circular saw blade guard. While this may seem like a time-saving and convenient method, it is actually a dangerous one. The blade guard is there for a reason, and removing it can lead to serious injuries.
Professional carpenters often take risks while working, and their techniques may not align with what is taught on YouTube DIY channels. However, it is important to note that these violations are not encouraged or suggested by anyone. The purpose of discussing these techniques is to inform people of their dangers and to let knowledge be the guide.
While it is true that some carpenters remove the blade guard on their table saws for convenience and efficiency, it is not recommended. The guard is the best way to prevent contact with the spinning blade and should be used whenever possible. However, if it needs to be removed for certain cuts, caution should be exercised, and the riving knife should always be left on for stability.
Tilting up the board on a miter saw is another controversial cutting technique. While it may seem clever, it is actually quite dangerous. It removes the most stable point of contact, the saw bed, and exposes more of the spinning blade. Additionally, the offcut piece can come loose and cause havoc if it falls off the table. Instead, it is recommended to use a circular saw for cuts that won’t fit within the miter saw’s cut range.
Flip ripping on a table saw is a technique used to avoid the need for an outfeed table or support. While it may be a stable method, it still involves some wrangling of the board around the spinning blade and can create a bad situation if the board is twisted or dropped while lifting. It is not recommended, and other methods should be used to ensure safety.
In conclusion, while it may be tempting to use controversial cutting techniques to save time or make work easier, it is important to prioritize safety. Following all normal safety guidelines while using power tools is essential, and any work carried out is at one’s own risk. By being informed of the dangers of these techniques, people can make informed decisions and create a safer working environment.
Table Saw Blade Guard: To Remove or Not to Remove
In the world of carpentry, there are many controversial cutting techniques that make DIYers ask, “Why can they do that but I can’t?” One of the most talked-about techniques is blade guard removal on the table saw. While it is essential to keep the guard on for safety reasons, many professional carpenters remove it for convenience and efficiency.
The table saw blade guard has some drawbacks, such as limiting visibility and making it harder to complete certain cuts. However, it is still the best way to prevent contact with the spinning blade. Carpenters remove the guard for convenience, but they always leave the riving knife on. The splitter fins on the riving knife keep the stock from binding on the blade, stabilizing the cut.
While it is an option to remove the blade guard, it is not recommended, especially for those new to saw usage. It is crucial to exercise caution when using the saw without the guard installed. If you need to cut something that won’t fit in your miter saw’s cut range, it’s better to use a circular saw instead.
In conclusion, while blade guard removal on the table saw may seem like a shortcut, it is not worth the risk. It is best to keep the guard on for safety and use caution when using the saw without it. Remember, any work you carry out is at your own risk, and it’s crucial to follow all normal safety guidelines while using power tools.
Miter Saw Madness: Tilting the Board
In this section, the host of the Honest Carpenter Show discusses controversial cutting techniques in carpentry. One of the techniques discussed is tilting up the board on a miter saw.
The miter saw has a certain cut capacity, and the blade can only reach so far across a board before it hits its limit. Carpenters are forced to rotate the board to finish the cut from the other side, which is safe as long as the cut-off piece is stabilized and the blade alignment is good. However, some Carpenters tilt the board up while they’re cutting, which is a slightly risky operation.
The host explains that Carpenters pin the board to the fence, bring the spinning blade all the way down into the board, then lift the front edge of the board upwards so it rides up through the farthest point of the blade, allowing them to finish the cut. While this technique may seem clever, it is dangerous for a few reasons.
Firstly, the offcut piece will come plonking down once it’s loose, and it can cause havoc if it falls off the table. Secondly, it removes the most stable point of contact, the saw bed, and relies on the inside corner of the two faces for support alone, which is less stable. Furthermore, it pushes the blade guard way up past its coverage point, exposing more spinning blade with every inch.
The host advises against using this technique and suggests using a circular saw instead to make the cut if the board won’t fit in the miter saw’s cut range. Although it may be slower, it’s much more stable and safer.
Flip Ripping Frenzy on the Table Saw
The third controversial cutting technique discussed by the Honest Carpenter show is flip ripping on the table saw. Long rips on the table saw can be a major headache as pieces can lift off the blade and fall down, which can be dangerous. While one can have someone catching the outfeed piece or use an outfeed table, it is not always practical. To solve this problem, carpenters use flip ripping, which involves taking a longer piece, beginning to rip it, and then lifting the end off the saw bed. The piece is then swiveled away, carefully flipped end for end, and ripped from the other end. The two cuts meet in the middle, and the pieces are lifted away.
While this method involves some wrangling of the board around the spinning blade, it does solve some problems. The curvature of the table saw blade is such that the moment one raises the end, most immediate contact with the blade is lost. Furthermore, both pieces are well supported in the center when the two cuts meet, and there is no risk of a crazy back leverage situation on a full-length rip.
The Honest Carpenter show acknowledges that flip ripping is a controversial technique, and while it may solve some problems, one probably shouldn’t do it. However, the show maintains a humorous tone and encourages viewers to be better informed about the technique’s pros and cons.