Every time I used to switch blades on my tablesaw, I would dread dropping the arbor nut into the dust-filled cabinet below. I solved the problem with a rare-earth disk magnet, simply attaching it to the end of the arbor with a drop of cyanoacrylate glue. Clean the steel first with rubbing alcohol and center the magnet as best you can. Not only does the magnet catch the nut when it comes loose, but it also makes it easier to start threading on the nut. In case you’re wondering, my tablesaw is a SawStop, and the magnet hasn’t caused any problems with the touch-sensing technology.
—FRED BECK, Denver, Colo.
Illustrations by Dan Thornton From Fine Woodworking issue #286
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Makita LS1219L Miter Saw
This is the saw I want in my shop. For one, it’s easy to use. All of the controls are easy to reach and manipulate, and the glide mechanism is both robust and smooth. The handle works well for righties and lefties. Then there are added bonuses that no other saw has. For instance, its hold-down is superb, as it can move to different locations, hinges for a greater range of coverage, and actually holds down the work. In addition, the saw has two points of dust collection, letting it firmly beat the rest of the field. The one downside was the saw’s laser, which was so faint we had to turn off the shop lights to see it. Still, all these pluses in a package that fits tight to the wall? That’s a winner for me.
While all five of the smaller units will collect chips efficiently when deployed properly, the 3/4-hp Rockler was just a bit more powerful in our suction test.
Regardless of the board’s grain, this jointer produced excellent results. Its fence was totally flat, worked smoothly, and locked well, staying in place even after jointing multiple edges. Getting the fence to 90° was very easy, but the 90° stop was a little tricky to set and the fence did not go back to square when using it. For those who would use it, there is also a digital depth-of-cut scale.
That is a very good tip and I am glad you mentioned you had a Sawstop because that was the first thing that entered my head before I finished reading through your tip!
This is a good tip but beware. I tried this using a 3/8" dia. rare-earth magnet and found the magnet was a bit too strong. The attractive forces made it somewhat difficult to remove and re-install the arbor nut and saw blades. I intend to try this again using a smaller, less powerful magnet (1/4" or 1/8" dia.). This should provide just enough magnetism to keep the arbor nut from falling but no so much that it adds time and hassle to blade changing operations.
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.
We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you.
We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners.
You can view our Privacy Policy
here and our Terms of Use here.
Comments
That is a very good tip and I am glad you mentioned you had a Sawstop because that was the first thing that entered my head before I finished reading through your tip!
This is a good tip but beware. I tried this using a 3/8" dia. rare-earth magnet and found the magnet was a bit too strong. The attractive forces made it somewhat difficult to remove and re-install the arbor nut and saw blades. I intend to try this again using a smaller, less powerful magnet (1/4" or 1/8" dia.). This should provide just enough magnetism to keep the arbor nut from falling but no so much that it adds time and hassle to blade changing operations.
“[Deleted]”
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in