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The table saw holds a special place in the cultural consciousness as something uniquely dangerous. This discussion has reminded me of Robert Frost’s poem ‘Out, Out -’ : “The buzz saw snarled and rattled in the yard / Snarled and rattled”. The title of the poem is a reference to Macbeth, “Out, out, brief candle / Life’s but a walking shadow” and the lad using the buzz (old school table) saw in the poem does indeed snuff it.
Sharkstar-
cultural consciousness
One features prominently in the Johnny Cash biography certainly.
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In commercial woodworking the table saw is replaced by the planer (jointer if you're American). Good example would be this video (not for those of a week constitution no graphic images but still pretty intense)
For those interested there is a whole series documenting his recovery and rather amazingly his eventual return to work.
Backstop
Bobbo
Paying attention with a tablesaw if you aren't aware of what to pay attention to isn't enough though. Wood tension biting the blade, cross cutting against the fence, cutting short pieces are not immediately obvious dangers IMO and even the savviest of people could fall into the trap of committing. I'm certain I would have had some shit kick back into my face by now had I not spent some time getting clued up how to use it safely.
Or maybe I just fall into the stupid category.