A Beginner’s Guide to Learning How To Cut a Straight Edge on a Table Saw

If you’re looking to find out how to cut a straight edge on a table saw, then it is essential to follow a few steps: First, the surface of the material you are cutting must be placed flat on the table. Second, the blade height must be slightly higher than the thickness. Make sure your hands and fingers are at a safe distance from the blade. Finally, remember that this is an extremely dangerous process, so be sure to use safety gear.

We’ve got it all outlined in detail for you to check, so just follow the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Tools

Collect the tools you need:

• A Table Saw
• An Auxiliary Fence
• A Stop Block
• A Measuring Device, such as a Miter Gauge
• A feather board to make the process of pushing wood under the saw safer

Step 2: Thickness

Measure the thickness of the cut by placing a miter gauge against the workplace to measure against the saw’s blade. Where the miter gauge is supposed to be placed in the workplace, draw a line. This marking will help you identify where everything else is supposed to be placed.

Learn more about how thick a table saw blade should be here.

Step 3: Arrangement

There should be nothing between your marking and the safety guard of your saw. Be sure to clamp your auxiliary rip fence properly. You should set up a stop block to be able to cut the same length of the piece each time.

You can arrange the feather board to push the wood piece under the blade safely when you start cutting one edge.

Step 4: Cut The Straight Edge

Along your marked line, make the cut. Be sure to raise the saw blade completely out of the wood you are cutting when raised. This prevents the wood from being damaged, as sometimes the blade hits its own teeth.

Step 5: Join the Pieces

Next, you must place the pieces together, preferably clamped on the board. Although you are making short cuts and it’s not necessary to clamp them, it would be beneficial as it would be safer and remain stable when you cut the edge.

Step 6: Cut

Once the preparation is ready, turn on the saw and make sure it is working properly. Cut along an already straight edge to test the saw. You will then have one perfect edge.

To make sure the blade works at its best, make sure it’s aligned – learn more about how to align a table saw blade here.

Step 7: Repeat

Cut the other three faces. Once they are squared off, pull the clamped pieces apart again.

Step 8: Repeat using Jig

Lastly, for any future cuts, use the newly squared portion you just cut. Set your miter gauge as added guidance for future cuttings.

FAQs

What If I Want To Cut At An Angle?

There are, of course, other cuts you can make, though they are all dependent on the type of project you’re taking on. If you’d like to work with angles, we’ve got guides for cutting 60-degree angles and cutting 45-degree angles with a table saw as well.

On the other hand, if you think about it in detail and end up knowing you still have to cut a straight edge, don’t worry too much, even if your board is a little crooked. The steps, once followed in detail, can be pretty simple. You can also watch a video detailing the steps you need to follow through a practical demonstration of learning how to cut a straight edge on a table saw with a crooked piece of wood:

What Are Some Important Safety Rules When Cutting a Straight Edge?

1. Remember to wear a face guard and gloves or other safety equipment. 
2. Do not turn on your machine until you have the guard set up properly. 
3. Place your hands at a safe distance from the blade while the machine is working.
4. To avoid kickback of the blade, make sure that there is no gap between your wood piece and the auxiliary fence. 
5. A saw that works in a clockwise direction must be turned to the left. A saw that works in the anti-clockwise direction must be turned to the right. 
6. Use feather boards to prevent any sort of kickback from the blade movement that could cause injury.
7. Do not try to lift your material while it is attached to the table saw.
8. Never lean over the fence of your machine, and maintain a proper height away from the device.
9. Make sure all the attachments on your machine have been made properly. In some cases, the attachment may become loose, and it may cause injury.
10. Never stand too close to the blade unless you have proper protection.
11. There should be no flammable material anywhere near you while you are using the saw to cut a straight edge (or anything else, really).
12. Be cautious about the wires. There should be none anywhere near the blade, as that could be hazardous as could cause kickback or kick-in accidents.

The Bottom Line

That covers the basics of knowing how to cut a straight edge on a table saw. In conclusion, to make a cut that perfectly lines up, alignment, equipment, and safety must be considered to make the perfect cut each time.

Learn more table saw knowledge with “How High Should A Table Saw Be?”