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
The gauge has a quick and easy method for fitting the guide bar precisely to your tablesaw’s miter slot. This means the gauge can be recalibrated if necessary for continued accuracy. The face of the protractor head can be adjusted square to the table and also square to the guide bar. This ensures accurate cuts, and it, too, can be readjusted if the need arises. The protractor head has stainless-steel knobs and fittings and high-contrast, easy-to-read white numbers and increments.
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.
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…
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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.
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