SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/wood-no-freehand

SawStop's manual says not to perform any table saw operation how?

Freehand. Use a fence or miter gauge.

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  1. Freehand ✔
  2. With the guard on
  3. With a push stick

Why: Without a fence or miter gauge, the wood can twist and bind on the blade. Use the fence for rip cuts and the miter gauge for crosscuts. Woodcraft agrees: never make free-hand cuts.

Huh, didn't know that: SawStop also says never stand on the saw.

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What do you get when you cross a tree with an artificial waterway? A root canal.
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References

Answer: Freehand. Without a fence or miter gauge, the wood can twist and bind on the blade. Use the fence for rip cuts and the miter gauge for crosscuts. Woodcraft agrees: never make free-hand cuts.

  1. SawStop Industrial Cabinet Saw Owner's Manual www.sawstop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/M_ICS_WEB.pdf
    Do not perform any operation freehand.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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Test yourself in the game

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