14 Beginner Table Saw Mistakes You Need to Stop Making (Before You Get Hurt)
Whether you’re brand new to woodworking or you’ve been at it a while, the table saw is one tool that deserves your full attention. It’s powerful, accurate, and absolutely essential — but it can also be dangerous if used carelessly.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 14 common beginner mistakes to avoid, plus 5 safety tools and accessories that’ll make your saw safer and your cuts cleaner. I’ll also share some personal protective gear that every woodworker should have but hardly anyone talks about.
Here are all the tools, jigs, and accessories I showed or mentioned in this video. You can click any of the links below to check them out for yourself.
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🛠️ Rockler Tools & Jigs
📏 Measuring & Layout Tools
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⚙️ Shop Accessories & Jigs
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1. Wearing Loose Clothing or Jewelry
Before you even turn your saw on, ditch the hoodie strings, long sleeves, and bracelets. They can get caught in the spinning blade faster than you can react.
I’ve seen some nasty accidents just from a loose sleeve brushing a saw blade. Take a second to roll up your sleeves and remove any hanging items.
2. Misaligned Blade and Fence
A poorly aligned table saw blade or fence can lead to kickback, inaccurate cuts, and frustration.
Here’s what to do:
Use a combination square to check if your blade is perfectly parallel to the miter slots.
Adjust your fence so it’s also parallel to those same slots.
Don’t assume the factory settings are right—double-check everything.
This simple alignment makes your saw safer and more accurate.
3. Blade Height Too High
There’s no reason for your blade to stick an inch above your workpiece. Keep it just high enough that the gullets (the curved parts between the teeth) clear the wood.
About ⅛” above the surface is plenty.
Less blade showing = less chance for injury.
4. Using Dull Blades
A dull blade burns your wood, strains your motor, and increases your risk of kickback.
Always make sure your blades are sharp. You’ll get smoother cuts, safer operation, and a lot less stress on your saw.
5. Removing the Riving Knife
The riving knife (that metal piece right behind your blade) keeps your wood from pinching after a cut — which is a major cause of kickback.
Leave it on whenever possible. If you’re using a sled or specialty jig, just make sure it’s replaced afterward.
6. Skipping the Blade Guard
I know, I know. The blade guard can feel like it’s in the way sometimes. But it’s there for a reason.
When you can use it, use it. It adds a second layer of safety and prevents debris from flying back at you.
7. Not Using Push Sticks or Push Blocks
Your hands should never be within a few inches of that blade. A good push stick or a GRR-RIPPER push block gives you precision and safety at the same time.
👉 Grab one here on Amazon.
8. Standing Directly Behind the Blade
Always stand slightly to the side of the blade when cutting. If a kickback happens, you won’t be standing in the line of fire.
9. Cutting Without Proper Support
Trying to rip long boards or sheet goods without enough outfeed support is a recipe for bad cuts—or worse, a dangerous bind-up.
Consider an outfeed table, or check out the Bow XT Fence Extender for extra safety and support.
10. Ignoring Kickback Zones
Kickback happens when the blade grabs the wood and throws it back at you.
To prevent this:
Keep your blade sharp and aligned
Use a splitter or riving knife
Don’t stand directly behind the blade
Keep your fence adjusted properly
11. Crosscutting Without a Sled
Never use the miter gauge and fence at the same time for crosscuts—it can trap wood between them and cause kickback.
Instead, use a crosscut sled. It’s safer, more accurate, and one of the best shop jigs you can build.
12. Not Using Featherboards
Featherboards keep consistent pressure against your workpiece and prevent it from drifting into the blade.
They’re simple, affordable, and a must-have for beginners.
👉 Get Rockler’s Featherboard System here.
13. Rushing Through Cuts
Woodworking is not a race. The moment you rush, you stop paying attention.
Take your time. Let the blade do the work. Slow, steady pressure will give you smoother cuts and keep you safer.
14. Skipping PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Protect your body before you protect your wood.
Every shop should have:
Safety Glasses – protect your eyes from flying chips
Hearing Protection – table saws are loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss
Dust Mask or Respirator – especially when cutting MDF or plywood
One piece of gear I rarely see mentioned but love is a good quality anti-vibration glove. It helps reduce fatigue during long cutting sessions.
🧰 Bonus: 5 Must-Have Accessories for a Safer Table Saw
Microjig GRR-RIPPER – Keeps your hands safe and improves cut accuracy.
Featherboards – Keeps pressure against your fence for safer cuts.
Rockler Thin Rip Jig – Makes repeatable thin cuts easy and safe.
Zero-Clearance Insert – Reduces tear-out and keeps small pieces from falling through.
SawStop Table Saw – If it’s in your budget, it’s the safest saw you can buy.
Final Thoughts
Your table saw can be your best friend or your worst enemy — it all depends on how you treat it.
Take a few extra minutes to set it up safely, use the right tools, and protect yourself every single time. You’ll build better projects and keep all ten fingers doing what they’re supposed to — woodworking.
If you’re just getting started, check out my Beginner Woodworking Guide or join our Woodworking Coaching Community on Skool — it’s packed with folks learning, building, and sharing together.
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Stay safe and keep building,
– Matt Outlaw | 731 Woodworks
