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Should I hear wood touching the back of my table saw blade?
Anwer: Ideally, no. In a perfect setup the front of the blade does the cutting and the work exits cleanly past the rear teeth. If you hear scraping or see burning, check for blade flatness, runout, or fence parallelism.
Quick tune up,
1, Align the fence parallel to the blade using a dial indicator or a scrap dowel against the same tooth at the front and back.
2, Make a test cut and listen, look for burning, and feel for contact.
3, If needed, add a tiny amount of toe-out by setting the fence one to three thousandths wider at the back, which will reduce contact with the rear teeth.
4, Avoid the calibration rabbit hole, test cuts tell the truth.
What is a simple way to plan my shop layout?
Answer: Use SketchUp’s free web version. Draw the room footprint, then pull in tool models from 3D Warehouse. If a tool is not available, make a box with the correct footprint and height. Turn tools into components so you can slide them around and try different layouts. Keeping a human scale figure in the model helps you visualize clearances and workflow.
Router table recommendations for a serious upgrade?
Answer: Top tier tables from the usual suspects are all quite good, pick by features that matter to you. Look closely at dust collection, micro-adjustment options, fence design, and total footprint. I have used several premium setups. Micro-adjust is great, but watch for fences that get bulky or mechanisms that limit full depth travel. I am currently moving back to a refined JessEm table to test their latest height wheel, dust box, micro-adjust, and a 3 1/4 HP motor.
Best way to make thin strips around one sixteenth of an inch?
Answer: Use the table saw with a stop, not a planer. Most planers will not go that thin safely, even with a sled. On the saw, set a stop block on the far side of the blade to the exact thickness you want, reference the workpiece to the stop, then move the fence as needed for each cut. You will need to reset between cuts, so expect minor variation, but surfaces will come off the saw cleaner and the process is safer for thin stock. The stop I used in the video is the Magswitch Universal Featherboard Pro.
Bonus Content
How do you choose plugs and receptacles for a wood shop?
Answer: Keep things consistent and think in circuits, not individual tools. I focus on the receptacle standard first, then make sure plugs match. If the prong configuration is the same, the tool will work in that receptacle.
120 volt circuits
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I use NEMA 5-20R receptacles. Any 120 volt tool with a 15 amp or 20 amp plug will fit.
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If your shop has 15 amp circuits, use NEMA 5-15R.
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Do not cut a 20 amp plug and replace it with a 15 amp plug, that is unsafe and will trip breakers or worse.
Wiring for 120 volt
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High draw tools belong on 20 amp circuits, 12 gauge wire, and 20 amp breakers.
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My shop uses 12 gauge across all 120 volt lines with no 15 amp circuits.
240 volt circuits
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NEMA 6-20R for 20 amp tools. If a tool ships without a plug, I install an industrial 6-20, durable and easy to wire.
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NEMA L6-30R for 30 amp ceiling drops, the twist-lock keeps the connection secure overhead.
General Safety Rule: match the whole chain!
Plug, receptacle, wire gauge, and breaker must all be rated for the same amperage. A tool that peaks at 16 amps should be on a 20 amp plug and receptacle, 12 gauge wire, and a 20 amp breaker. Any weak link invites heat and fire risk.
Friendly disclaimer, I am not an electrician. Follow local code and consult a licensed pro when in doubt.
What glue roller do you use?
Answer: Search for a brayer. I use a standard 4-inch brayer with a soft rubber roller and a 4-inch pop-in brayer whose roller removes for easy cleaning. The pop-in loosens a bit with age but mine is about fifteen years old and still works fine. Use them with any glue, just clean them promptly.
Thanks for watching!
If you want to submit questions for a future Ask TWW, join our YouTube Members area or support us on Patreon. I also post short behind-the-scenes clips in a series called Grain of Truth, quick tips, small victories, and a little bit of shop philosophy. Your support means a lot. See you next time.
The post Receptacle Picks, Wiring Tips and Much More | Ask TWW appeared first on The Wood Whisperer.
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