There are many different types of saw in the market e.g. table saw, electric chain saw, jigsaw, band saw, circular saw etc. For most do-it-yourself home projects, one of the things you will need to know is how to change the blade of a table saw. You may even have to perform this task several times in some elaborate projects.
Type of Table Saw’s Blades
One of the first things you need to do is to recognize the kind of blade the table saw has or needs then get a replacement.
Blades come in a variety of colors, sizes and with a range of different teeth. Since there are multiple varieties of blades available – smooth cutting, dado blades and rip blades, you need to see which one you require for the job at hand.
Things Needed to Change Blade
- Table Saw Blade
- Hex or Allen wrench
- Heavy-duty gloves
- Screwdriver
- A block of wood
Steps to Follow to Change the Blade of a Table Saw
Step #1: Turn off the Power
The first step involves switching off the table saw. To be extra careful, unplug the table saw from the socket itself as this will make sure that the power is completely disconnected.
Then, wait for a few moments to begin so as to allow any remaining power in the machine to drain off.
Step #2: Now Remove the Blade Plate
Wear gloves and look for the blade plate on the table saw. This is the plate of metal that is on the top surface of the saw.
These are mostly screwed on with two screws; one at the back and one in the front. First, loosen them and then go on to remove them in order to unfasten the plate. Set the plate aside safely to be used later.
Step #3. Remove the Blade
First move the blade until it is in the highest position. You can use the block of wood to jam the blade and avoid it from accidentally turning.
Next, look for the washer and the nut that fastens the blade and in order to unfasten it, use the wrench and turn the nut it a counter-clockwise direction. Now remove the blade and safely place it away.
Step #4: Install the New Blade
Making sure the teeth of the new blade faces the front of the table saw, slowly place the blade into the blade housing.
Replace the nut and washer to fasten the blade in place. Tighten the nut with the wrench, turning it in the clockwise direction this time. Again use a block of wood to keep the blade in position.
Step #5: Put the Blade Plate Back
Reverse what you did in step 3. Use the screwdriver to tighten the two screws (one in front and one at the back) and reinstall the blade plate.
Step #6: Connect the Power to Check
You are almost done, just plug the saw back into the socket and recount the power supply. Switch on the saw and run the blade to see if it is correctly placed and running okay.
If it isn’t then repeat steps 1 to 5 and check again (this time with the same new blade of course).
Conclusion
Table saws are an integral part of any construction or home improvement jobs, and very often the blade becomes old and dull with use, thus needs to be replaced. Sometimes, you may just need to change it to another type of blade to cut a new material type too. So if you learn this basic task once it will be handy for most of your projects.
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