The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining your Table Saw

Maintaining your table saw pays dividends in the quality of cuts and safety. With a small investment of time you will see the results in your work and possibly extend the life of your table saw.

Maintaining your Table Saw - Getting Started

Table saws are one of the messiest tools in the workshop so cleaning them is an important job. Saw dust and tiny shavings can become trapped inside the motor reducing its effective working life.

Before you do any maintenance, make sure your table saw is off and unplugged from the power. Remove the blade, throat plate and blade guard. Read your owner’s manual to find out how to gain access to different parts of the table saw and how they should be cleaned and maintained.

Cleaning a Table Saw

Inspect the blade for signs of damage and residue on the teeth. If it needs cleaning, use a brass brush. If the residue is proving difficult to remove, dip the brush into paint thinner but keep it away from other parts of your saw.

Clean the motor by vacuuming or brushing off any dust or debris. Next, you need to lubricate the gears and trunnions. But don’t reach for any oil you have in the workshop as most types of oil will attract the dust. You need a dry lubricant that is silicone free.

For any plastic parts on your machine, use a small amount of dishwashing liquid in warm water to clean. Don’t be tempted to use a chemical or solvent you may have nearby as they can cause damage.

After you have finished with the lubrication, align the tension of the motor and pulleys. Check the belts and replace any that are showing signs of wear and tear. If you have no experience in replacing parts on your table saw, you may need to have an expert show you how.

Removing Rust on a Table Saw

If it has been a while since you gave your table saw love, you may notice rust spots that need removing. Use a kitchen scourer and mineral spirits to scour away the rust and any wax or tarnish. For heavier rust you may need wet or dry sandpaper or even an orbital sander to remove. Wipe the surface and mitre slots with a clean cloth and more mineral spirits as needed to remove all traces of dirt, rust and wax.

Use a dry, silicone-free surface lubricant or vinegar to keep the rust at bay and your table top looking good. Spray and leave for a few seconds before buffing with a paper towel. Spray and buff every few months so the table top doesn’t tarnish. Try to avoid using paraffin wax as it can leave a sticky residue.

Apply a silicone-free top coat protectant to give the top a slicker surface so your work piece will glide along. For added protection of your tabletop, cover with a piece of plywood whenever it’s not in use.

Table Saw Alignment

Alignment isn’t something you do only when you maintain your table saw but every time you use it. If you are having problems getting the saw properly aligned or you want to change the depth of the cut limit stops, you may need to disassemble the saw. If you fail to align it properly, you will get poor quality cuts, the saw is more likely to kickback, burn the wood and be unsafe to use.

Check the blade is in alignment then check the throat is flush with the surface of the tool and the riving knife is in line with the blade. The mitre slots should be parallel to the blade. Align any other parts or accessories such as a rip fence and gauge slots to check they are parallel. While you are looking closely at the blade, check the blade’s raising and tilt mechanisms for looseness or binding.

How Often Should you Do Maintenance?

This depends more on how often you use your table saw and less about the time between each maintenance sessions. Try to keep a rough track of how many hours you have used the table saw. Write the start and finish time for each session rather than trying to remember how often you have used your table saw.

The tasks also impact the maintenance schedule. If you only do light cutting jobs, you won’t need to do as much maintenance as someone who uses the saw for heavy cutting. For a mix of heavy and light cutting, aim to do maintenance every five hours of operation.

Also, the model of the table saw you own will determine the frequency of maintenance required. A high quality table doesn’t need as regular maintenance as a cheaper model.

If you aren’t sure if your table saw is due for maintenance, then you are best to show it some TLC rather than wait too long. You risk damaging your work, the table and put your safety at risk if you leave the job too long.

If you are looking for a good quality table saw, check out the range and don’t hesitate to contact us online.