Make an Eskimo Style Kayak Paddle from 2x4 Scrap Wood in 1.5 hours

Step 4 Danger! Freehand Tablesaw Cutting

Usually people use a bandsaw or jigsaw to cut the outline. That's a better method. A handsaw, stone adze, etc is fine also.

I freehand cut the outline on my table saw. It's fast and dangerous to do that way.
Wood chips get flung at your face.
Wear safety glasses, keep the whole area clear, and have no distractions.
Make multiple cuts into the handle area so the blade doesn't bind.

I got this table saw for free because there are too many table saws in the world. Also this one had many pieces broken off it. Maybe it really fell off a truck. But the table is flat, the blade is square, and the parts I need still work. The only part I needed to order was the nut that holds the blade on.

Comments

[hoosier45678]

How is freehanding with the table saw preferable to the bandsaw?

[TimAnderson]

It isn't usually. But my tablesaw happens to have a very flat "planer" blade in it that cuts fast and I can shave things flat with it.The blade is thick and wastes a lot of wood, so I'd usually use something else unless I start with just enough wood that the kerfs don't cost me a useful piece of wood.
My bandsaws have fine tooth metal cutting blades in them at the moment, and I was too lazy to change them. They cut wood slowly and the damaged blades make the cut a little wiggly.