Customer Reviews

Table Saw Techniques: (Revised Edition)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Sorry, but I disagree with all the "good" reviews here. I made the mistake of reading them, then ordering the book. It is not worth the money, nor the time it takes to look at it.

The pictures all look like they are from a 1940's high school shop manual. Pictures lack detail and are blurry.

Descriptions of accessories are lacking in detail and don't seem to note "how to make" any of them.

My suggestion is to look elsewhere for "table saw techniques" rather than buy this book.

Sorry I didn't do so.

When I decided to do this review, I thought it would be just another book to study and evaluate. However, it is much, much more. Regrettably, it is also the last review I will do on a Roger W. Cliffe book, due to Roger's untimely passing. We will all miss your insight and guidance, Roger. While Table Saw Techniques is clearly just what one has come to expect from Roger, a well-thought out book with lots of secrets reveled and many projects to hone your skills, this book is now in new edition and ready to lead the woodworker on through table saw use for the next twenty years. I can recall the day I bought my first copy of this book. It was published in 1984 and I took it saw shopping with me when I got my saw. I have used it since as a benchmark for anything to do with the table saw, from the basics to more advanced techniques. This book, used wisely and in its entirety, will make the reader proficient in the use of the table saw. This new edition is the real deal, a lifetime of knowledge in-between the cover pages. If you don't already own this book, buy it- it's a must! (copyright) Thisoldworkshop Lance Granum Posted to Amazon With My express permission

This is a very strong book on the use of the table saw. I can not think of another one that even comes close. It covers both basic use of this tool as well as many of the more complex things that you can make it do. I think it would be most helpful to those people who have not done much with the table saw. That said it has things to offer to even the more advanced woodworker. It presents the basics in such a way as to build confidence, keep fingers and at the sametime teach useful skills.

I am just starting out in the world of being a hobbiest woodworker and I wanted books on the tablesaw to give information on proper setup, use, maintenance, and safety techniques (better to learn to keep your fingers right from the start). After reading the other (above) reviews of this book, I purchased it. It turns out to be a wonderful source of information for the beginner. I team this book with "Woodworking - The Right Technique" by Bob Moran as two volumes a beginner should have (and read thoroughly) before embarking on using your tablesaw. Everytime I re-read either of these volumes, I pick up something new that I didn't pay attention to the first time.

This book (along with the the Moran book) are highly recommended.

As a hobbiest, it is sometimes difficult to find a serious book that is not a proffesional technical publication. Most are either too elementary for someone who has used table saws for years, or too technical for someone who is not a professional wood worker.

This book bridges the gulf. It covers the basics well that serve as reminder for those who have experience yet is understandable and educational for those just starting out.

As the sections get more advanced, the illustrations and photos are plentiful and show good detail. These are extremely helpful in understanding the processes described.

In short this book is a keeper. Good reference material.

I purchased this book and wish I had not. (Revised edition (c) 1997) It contains the most basic information which might be ok for a beginner but it is coupled with poor photographs and confusing (wrong?) information (i.e. The Taper Jig Text on pg 224 says "Measure back from hinge exactly 1-foot" yet the line illustration on Pg 222 clearly show's the 12inch measure from the Taper foot - the two directions are contradictory). The line drawings were helpful and pretty clear but as mentioned above I question their accuracy. I am not an expert and I did get a few bits of information from this book but nothing you could not find on the WWW.

I just finished reading about half of this book. The writing is so repetitious and boring I couldn't finish it. As background, I have done woodowrking for more than 20 years, both as a hobby and professionally. This book has more errors than any book I've read in both the text and the photo captions. It is also limited in it's coverage of jigs , etc. If you want a book on table saw usage buy something else.

From what I've read(3/8), This book has been very thorough. I have learned much and have new confidence about using my saw. Decent pictures, though color would be nice.

I read this book and two others (Burton's Table Saw Tips & Tricks, Tolpin's Table Saw Magic).

Table Saw Techniques is hard to swallow. The photos are of absurdly poor quality...foggy, low-contrast black & whites. In some cases they are out of focus or have moire patterns (made from previously screened photo prints).

The writing has an authoritative tone even while making points of dubious value (excerpts below).

The 1950's vibe of this book will make you laugh or maybe cry.

You will absolutely find some useful tips if you push your way through its 350 pages without killing yourself. Most people will be better off with Burton, Tolpin, or one of the other table saw books.

Excerpts:

"A chip-limiting blade is ideal for beginning woodworkers. They will have better control over the stock and not be intimidated by the blade. This makes it easier for the beginner to succeed at the table saw."

"The height on most commercial roller stands is adjustable. This one locks at the desired height."

go read stuff from the web. this book is very basic and not better than stuff that can be found for free. it is, however, less prone to dust and impact damage than a laptop... equally prone to water damage.