I'm used to having the fence on the right side of my table saw, but for a specific project, I want to cut some angles. Since the saw tilts a certain way, it would actually be easier for me to flip the fence over to the left side of the blade. I can't see any obvious safety issues with this setup, but I'd love to hear if there's something I might be overlooking. What are your thoughts?
3 Answers
Moving the fence to the left can actually be beneficial in certain situations. For instance, my saw has a larger throat when cutting from that side. However, be cautious if you're angling the blade. Normally, the blade tilts away from the fence, allowing the workpiece to sit free above it. When you switch the fence, it can trap the workpiece between the fence and the blade, leading to dangerous kickback. It's not a matter of 'if' it happens, but 'when!'
Here’s what I was thinking about doing (no riving knife in the photo since I was running a dado): https://preview.redd.it/1dnvhkizkvcf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3485fd9223a27be60f3bbc60b9f12b46317fd13e
It might feel a bit awkward, but moving the fence can definitely be the right approach depending on your project. Just remember to prioritize safety!
I've flipped the fence to the left side before without any injuries. Sometimes it's necessary, but you need to be super careful since using the saw this way can change how you usually operate it. Unconscious movements can lead to problems, so just pay close attention.
So, from what you’re saying, if my saw tilts to the right, switching the fence would actually make it safer? That’s interesting!