This video was created by Billy from Newton Makes. It covers 33 practical tips to help improve your table saw results—from reducing tear-out and burning to dialing in perfect alignment for square, smooth cuts.
Whether you’re a beginner trying to get consistent results or an experienced woodworker fine-tuning your setup, these tips can help improve your workflow and output. Billy walks through each one with practical advice based on years of hands-on experience in the shop.
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Blade Maintenance and Care
Many problems start with the blade. If your cuts are burning, rough, or drifting, it might be time to clean your blade. Pitch and resin buildup can affect performance, and a quick soak with a degreaser like Simple Green can restore cutting efficiency.
In addition to cleaning, applying a blade lubricant such as Blade Coat can reduce friction and help your blade glide more smoothly through material. Keeping your blade sharp and clean is one of the easiest ways to see immediate improvements.
Setting Up the Table Saw
Proper setup is just as important as sharp tools. Billy emphasizes checking your fence for parallel alignment to the blade. A crooked fence can cause binding, uneven cuts, or even kickback.
Using a miter slot as a reference point, slide the fence over and make sure it’s perfectly flush. Clamp it down or adjust the hardware to lock in this alignment permanently.
Choosing the Right Insert and Accessories
A zero clearance insert is a major upgrade that reduces tear-out, especially when cutting plywood or melamine. These inserts support the fibers right next to the blade and create a cleaner edge as the material passes through.
You can make your own zero clearance insert or buy one that fits your saw. Either way, it’s an inexpensive upgrade that leads to noticeably better results.
Understanding Common Cut Issues
Burning, tear-out, and misalignment are the three biggest frustrations when working with a table saw. Billy walks through how to identify the causes and offers fixes for each.
For burning, the problem is often a dull blade or pinching caused by a poorly set up riving knife or fence. Tear-out usually indicates the wrong blade type or a lack of support under the cut. Out-of-square cuts are nearly always traced back to a misaligned miter gauge, fence, or blade.
Fence and Miter Gauge Tips
If your miter gauge has play in the slots, it’s not going to give accurate cuts. Billy suggests checking the fit regularly and adjusting the runners or replacing them if needed. He also demonstrates how to check for true 90-degree cuts with a large square.
For repetitive cuts, a stop block can be a game changer. It ensures consistent lengths and prevents the workpiece from drifting during crosscuts.
Tear-Out Prevention
Tear-out is one of the most common issues and can ruin a good cut. Billy shares several effective methods to prevent this:
- Use a high-tooth-count crosscut blade for cleaner edges.
- Add blue painter’s tape to the cut line to hold fibers in place.
- Build or attach a sacrificial fence for added backing support.
These techniques help protect the show face of your material and minimize sanding or rework later.
Working with Angles and Miters
When making angled cuts, small errors are amplified. Use a digital angle gauge or a carefully calibrated miter gauge to avoid drift. Billy recommends test cuts on scrap before committing to final pieces.
If your cuts seem off even with everything square, it’s worth double-checking the blade alignment to the miter slot. A minor deviation can cause cumulative error, especially with larger panels.
Workpiece Support and Safety
Supporting longer or wider material is critical for both accuracy and safety. Billy stresses the importance of outfeed tables, roller stands, or having a second person assist when necessary.
When the material hangs off one side of the saw, gravity can cause it to shift or bind. Proper support allows smoother feeding and better control, leading to safer, cleaner cuts.
Saw Blade Types and When to Use Them
Choosing the right blade is another key element in table saw performance. Billy outlines the three main types:
- Ripping blades have fewer teeth and are designed to cut with the grain quickly and efficiently.
- Crosscut blades have more teeth and are ideal for clean, smooth cuts across the grain.
- Combination blades offer a middle ground for general use but may not be perfect for every task.
Knowing when to switch blades can make a big difference in the quality of your cuts.
Keeping Your Saw in Tune
Periodic checks of blade tilt, fence alignment, and insert height can help you avoid frustrating mistakes. A quick maintenance routine before each project will save time and prevent errors during cuts.
Billy also recommends checking the throat plate to ensure it’s flush with the table. Even a small gap here can cause snags or throw off your cut line.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Billy’s collection of 33 tips shows that table saw accuracy isn’t about fancy equipment—it’s about small habits, good setups, and staying aware of how your tools are performing. A little time spent on calibration and technique pays off in smoother, safer, and more professional results.
Whether it’s preventing tear-out, maintaining a clean blade, or choosing the right fence setup, these strategies can help improve your cuts right away.
Please support Billy by visiting his website here: https://www.newtonmakes.com/shop.