Components Making Up a Table Saw

A table saw is an essential piece of machinery found in most woodworking shops. This versatile power tool allows for precise, straight cuts in wood and other materials. From rip cuts to crosscuts to miter cuts, a quality table saw can handle all the fundamental needs of carpenters, DIYers, and woodworking enthusiasts.

But what exactly goes into making a table saw? What are the key components and parts that compose this important tool?

Table

The table itself forms the foundation of the entire saw. This large, flat surface gives you an ample work area to securely rest and maneuver your workpiece while you make cuts. Table saws come in different table sizes, but common sizes range from 20" x 27" up to 30" x 40" or larger.

Tabletop Material

Table tops are typically made from machined cast iron, which provides a flat, smooth, and stable surface, though some may be made from aluminum or steel. The weight and density of a cast iron table dampens vibration and allows the top to stay flat across varying temperatures.

Table Extensions

Many table saws allow you to extend the table length to support larger workpieces. This is achieved through extension wings that bolt onto the main tabletop. These removable wings, often made of cast iron or stamped steel, can expand the table by up to 40" or more on each side.

Miter Slots

The table incorporates parallel miter slots that allow you to securely position the miter gauge and other accessories. These slots also enable fence guides and featherboards to be securely mounted to the table.

Inserts and Plates

Since the spinning saw blade passes up through an opening in the table, a removable insert surrounds the blade below table level. Often made of cast iron or machined aluminum, inserts are designed to sit flush with the table surface. The smooth insert allows your workpiece to transition smoothly across the table without snagging.

Zero clearance inserts provide an extremely tight opening around the blade, preventing offcuts from becoming trapped below the table surface.

Fence Assembly

The rip fence assembly consists of a front and rear rail mounted longitudinally across the table, allowing the fence face to slide from front to back. This movement allows for precise adjustment of rip width cuts.

Front and Rear Rails

The front and rear rails provide a straight, parallel mounting track for the fence. Rails may be made of square steel stock or heavy-duty extruded aluminum. The stability and lack of flex in these rails is vital for repeatable fence adjustments.

Fence Face

The tall fence face mounts onto the rail system to slide smoothly across the table. A quality fence will lock parallel to the miter slots for straight cuts. Additional fence faces can allow for offset/jointing cuts.

Miter Gauge

This accessory fits into the miter slots on the saw's table, allowing the workpiece to be angled for precisely controlled crosscuts. The miter bar ensures smooth travel in the slots, while the rotating head offers positive stops at common angles.

Miter Bar

The miter gauge features an extended miter bar that slides back and forth smoothly in the table's slots. Bars are often made of machined steel or extruded aluminum to maintain rigidity.

Head and Stops

The head, typically made of thick cast iron, rotates for cutting angles. Positive stops allow fast positioning at 0deg, 45deg, 90deg without needing to adjust the gauge with a protractor.

Blade

The spinning saw blade, powered by the motor, is what actually cuts through the workpiece to make rip cuts and crosscuts. There are several components related to the blade itself.

Standard, Dado, Crosscut

Common table saw blades include:

• Standard general-purpose blades with 24-80 teeth for ripping and crosscutting.
• Dado blades to cut non-through and rabbet grooves.
• Dedicated crosscut blades with a high alternate top bevel (ATB) tooth grind.

Arbor

The arbor is the rotating steel shaft to which the blade mounts. Arbors are typically 5/8" or 1" in diameter. A threaded flange and wrench allows for blade changes.

Blade Guard

A clear polycarbonate guard mounts above the blade to prevent hands from contacting the spinning blade. Many guards have anti-kickback pawls and splitter options.

Motor

Powerful motors spin the saw blade at a constant speed. Contractor and cabinet style saws often use belt-driven induction motors, while portable saws have direct-drive motors.

Drive Mechanism

Belt drive systems typically employ single or triple V-belts spinning two pulleys to isolate motor vibration. Gearing inside direct-drive motors spins the blade directly.

Power Switch

Conveniently located on/off switches and overload protection breakers allow safe on/off operation of the motor. Magnetic switches prevent accidental startup after power failures.

Beyond the major systems outlined above, table saws incorporate various other parts and accessories:

• Tilt hand wheel - Allows blade to tilt for angled cuts
• Trunnions - Heavy duty pivots that allow blade tilting
• Throat plate - Removable plate around the blade at the table surface
• Riving knife - Helps prevent binding and kickback
• Bumpers - Stops that prevent the tilt mechanism from over-tilting
• Dust chute - Funnel around blade extracts sawdust
• Legs/stand - Supports saw height/mobility
• Rails - Allow attachments like rip fences to mount
• Miter gauge - Essential crosscut accessory

Understanding how all these parts interconnect to make up a complete table saw is helpful whether you're buying a new saw or maintaining and repairing an existing one. Paying attention to build quality and alignment of components results in optimal cutting accuracy and performance.

With so many moving parts, even quality table saws may need occasional maintenance, repair, or part replacement after years of use. Consulting your tool's manual for diagrams, part numbers, troubleshooting tips, and factory parts references makes the process easier when issues eventually arise.

Stay safe, wear hearing and eye protection, and follow all manufacturer safety instructions when operating your table saw. Understanding correct use and upkeep of these essential components allows woodworkers to complete projects accurately and efficiently for years to come.