After not using my Festool TS-55 circular saw for sometime, I had some sheet goods I needed to cut to size to make a right wing extension for my Delta Contractors Tablesaw. Now one wouldn't think a person who studies, craves and dwells excessively on Festool almost to the point of a diagnosable behavior issue, could be so totally inept In a dramatic way, I proved the theory wrong.
To make a long embarassing story short, I set up my 1400 guide rail and clamps per usual, readjusted the resistance of the saw one the rail and checked and rechecked everything. Working outside in my driveway, I even swept the driveway so I wouldn't trip over anything over the 4' I had to travel. Man, everything was golden.
I checked the wear and tear on the anti-splintering device, and how much cord I had to work with. Dude, everything was perfect! So I started up the saw and enjoyed the soft start feature of the TS-55, I lowered the blade and started to munch away at the MDO board. For anyone that doen't know what MDO is, it is a sheet material that makers use. It's basically plywoold faced with a resin impregnated, water resistent paper, and costs about $50 for 4' x 8' X 3/4"sheet sheet. Great stuff, but that's another story.
So, I'll get to the point. As I was getting to within about 4 inches of the end of the cut that I had hung generously off my tablesaw with plenty of counter weight, I suddenly realized that I had mounted my rail, clamp sand saw on the part that was going to drop off, and drop off it did! Thankfully, the saw and guide rail suffered no injury, all fingers and toes were intact, but my work piece tore into layers and one of my rail claps had a radically new curve to it.
The first image that came to my mind was a pirate standing at the wrong end of the plank, then sawing it off. It will be a lesson I will not soon forget.
I can't believe I did that. [sad]
To make a long embarassing story short, I set up my 1400 guide rail and clamps per usual, readjusted the resistance of the saw one the rail and checked and rechecked everything. Working outside in my driveway, I even swept the driveway so I wouldn't trip over anything over the 4' I had to travel. Man, everything was golden.
I checked the wear and tear on the anti-splintering device, and how much cord I had to work with. Dude, everything was perfect! So I started up the saw and enjoyed the soft start feature of the TS-55, I lowered the blade and started to munch away at the MDO board. For anyone that doen't know what MDO is, it is a sheet material that makers use. It's basically plywoold faced with a resin impregnated, water resistent paper, and costs about $50 for 4' x 8' X 3/4"sheet sheet. Great stuff, but that's another story.
So, I'll get to the point. As I was getting to within about 4 inches of the end of the cut that I had hung generously off my tablesaw with plenty of counter weight, I suddenly realized that I had mounted my rail, clamp sand saw on the part that was going to drop off, and drop off it did! Thankfully, the saw and guide rail suffered no injury, all fingers and toes were intact, but my work piece tore into layers and one of my rail claps had a radically new curve to it.
The first image that came to my mind was a pirate standing at the wrong end of the plank, then sawing it off. It will be a lesson I will not soon forget.
I can't believe I did that. [sad]
