A Tablesaw Accident: No Power Required

Matt Berger, executive producer

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Attack of the tablesaw. I tripped and fell this weekend while moving my 1950s-era portable tablesaw. Scrapes and bruises abound.

Matt Berger

Think twice, act once: The two tiny casters on my saw don't measure up. I learned this the hard way after the saw tipped over during transport taking me to the ground with it.

Matt Berger

Man vs. Tablesaw. An illustrated guide to my weekend  tablesaw accident.

Matt Berger

Attack of the tablesaw. I tripped and fell this weekend while moving my 1950s-era portable tablesaw. Scrapes and bruises abound.

Photo: Matt Berger

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It was as if my tablesaw jumped up and grabbed me, then tackled me to the ground with its sharp metal corners and edges. And believe me when I tell you no human can win a wrestling match like this against a tablesaw.

In actuality, my recent tablesaw accident went like this: I was moving my 1950s-era Sprunger tablesaw out from my basement, relying on the two small metal casters to roll it across the concrete floor, when the top-heavy weight of the motor took command causing the tablesaw to tip over and bring me crashing down with it (see illustration below). I was wearing shorts thanks to the exceptionally warm spring weather that blessed Western Connecticut this weekend, and ended up with a bloody scrape that extends from hip to toe.

The moral of my story is that tablesaw accidents don't have to involve a spinning blade. In fact, your tablesaw doesn't even need to be plugged in to cause bodily harm. And there are countless other hidden dangers lurking in the woodshop that demand your constant focus, attention, and common sense.

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Comments (5)

rocker46 writes: Move your casters to the left side (facing the saw) If your rails are longer on the right. This is how most manufacturers set them up) This will take the motor weight off your forward side and put it more "in balance" Also, it allows you to use the rails as handles and allows you to negotiate doors easier because you do not have a wider (because of rails) machine going through the door.
Posted: 7:13 am on May 7th

TexasCity writes: I'm glad you wasn't hurt bad. I had an experence with a table saw , i was making wooden games for my Daughter's school, when a long sliver of wood got caught in the saw blade , i turn off the saw ,but was worried it was going to throw it out so I tried to push the stick out using my push stick ,before the blade has stop well the blade caught my push stick and brought my thumb in the blade the doctor said i was lucky it was a brand new blade , it made a clean cut. everything turn out alright they sewed the tip of my thumb on . I still do alot of wood working but i'm alot more patience now and don't get in a hurry .
Posted: 6:09 pm on May 4th

Jinca writes: I hope the only thing hurt was your pride! I roadie for a band weekends and watched the same thing happen to a buddy who was moving subs. He was pushing it, tipped back towards him, casters at the front and hit a small stone. Over he went, riding the sub to the bottom of the trucks loading ramp. He eventually saw the funnt side! The best way to move them (and anything else on casters that's top heavy for that matter) is to tip them back towards you and drag them. You won't ever go over the top of them but watch your toes!
Posted: 10:31 am on May 4th

MixXedUpMedia writes: That's what you get for not having a blade guard attached ;)
Posted: 10:06 am on May 4th

GEide writes: Ouch! :( Love the illustration though... :)
Posted: 8:58 am on April 30th

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