As a newcomer I'm gradually working through the posts and this one came close to home as I cut the end off my left thumb years ago when I had a kickback right at the end of a very long cut.
My estimate was about 25 milliseconds from kick to cut. Fortunately the local hospital sewed the end back on and although the thumb joint was damaged I still have all my digits.
I was using a pushstick at the time, and that may have prevented further injury as the blade sliced that particular piece of oak in two... Analysis of the problem suggested a worn drive belt (teeth missing), but was that the cause or a result? I'll never know, but I am supremely vigilant around power tools!
I own a Delta table saw (just like Norm's) and have a Freud 'Super Dado' stacked cutter as well as a Freud 'wobble' cutter. The wobble cutter is, quite frankly, rubbish and I wouldn't use it for any decent work as the dado doesn't cut squarely. Anyway, the setup time is far longer than the stacked unit as the markings aren't accurate and I've used a lot of scrap wood making practice cuts. It's now gathering dust.
The chippers on the Freud can't continue spinning on mine when the saw is turned off because the chipper carbide bits overlap the carbide bits on the two outer cutters. I think the maximum movement permissible with the blades not tightened is about 1/8 inch. I have cut up to 7/8 inch dados no problem on the saw, and they are a LOT easier than using a router for larger cuts. The main difference between using the dado and a router is the noise -- the dado/table saw combination is VERY noisy for large cuts as HID will testify when I used to have my workshop in the basement. :x
One more point on the use of the saw; I like to use zero clearance inserts and have made several out of birch -- cheaper than the plastic ones and challenging to make accurately. Nice for fine work and no hole for thin bits of wood to drop into and fly off at wild tangents when they hit the blade. Less dust, too, as most of it goes under the table to be sucked up by the dust collector hose. I also have quite a few hold-downs, guides etc. that I use frequently.
As a parting comment I find ALL tools dangerous, not just power tools. Chisels are the worst offenders to me as their cutting edge is so sharp (at least mine are) you can't tell you've cut yourself until the wood changes colour! There are some tools I won't have in my workshop though, and a radial arm saw tops the list :wink: (ducks and heads for cover......)
