====== Table Saw ======

Member self-help for the wood shop table saw.

**Contact:** [[woodshop@rocmakers.org]] · [[https://rocmakers.org/discord|#wood-shop]]

===== Dust collection not working =====

Use this page when:

  * Dust or chips stay at the blade or on the table instead of going down
  * The collector does not sound like it is pulling from the saw
  * The blast gate stays red after the blade is on

<WRAP tip round>
=== Before you open the saw ===

Confirm the shop dust collector is running. Turn it on the way you already know. If it will not start, report and stop — do not open the saw.
</WRAP>

==== Phase 1 — power off, inspect, reassemble ====

  - Turn off power at the wall.
  - Remove the plate around the blade. Look at the plastic door on the right and make sure it is closed.
  - Open the large door on the left side of the cabinet. Make sure the 4" hose is connected to the pipe on the bottom left.
  - Remove the 4" hose on the bottom back side of the saw where the blast gate attaches. Check for a clog, clear it if needed, and reconnect the hose.
  - Put the plate back on, confirm both hoses are connected, and close the cabinet doors.

<WRAP todo>
=== Photos needed ===

  * Throat plate and plastic door on the right
  * Left cabinet 4" hose on the bottom-left pipe
</WRAP>

==== Phase 2 — power on, check the blast gate ====

  - Turn the machine back on.
  - Start the blade and make sure the automatic blast gate opens.
  - On the back of the machine, underneath the table, is the blast gate. A **red** circle should be visible before the saw is on. A **green** circle should be visible when the blade is running.

Shop-wide collector instructions, including how to empty the bins and clean the filters: [[:woodshop:dust_collection|Dust collection]].

<WRAP group>
<WRAP half column>
{{:woodshop:tablesaw-blast-gate-closed.jpg?400|Closed. Red indicator, blade off.}}
</WRAP>
<WRAP half column>
{{:woodshop:tablesaw-blast-gate-open.jpg?400|Open. Green indicator, blade running.}}
</WRAP>
</WRAP>

==== After you finish ====

  * If you found a simple fix **and** collection works again, keep using the saw.
  * If the checks found nothing, or the blast gate never goes green, **stop**. Do not keep running the saw until wood shop follows up.

If dust collection was failing, **always report** — even when every check looked fine. Send the same note to [[https://rocmakers.org/discord|#wood-shop]] and [[woodshop@rocmakers.org]]: what you found (or that the checks were all OK), what you did, and the date.