Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
If your table saw is acting more like a stove than a ripping machine, you’ve probably been here before. You might be new to woodworking or experienced enough to think this shouldn’t happen to you, but there are usually six different reasons why this happens. So let’s put on the detective hat.
First, let’s get the obvious out of the way. If your blade looks like this, it’s top priority. Pitch and resin build up around the teeth, making the blade drag harder through the cut and creating more heat. Use pitch cleaner, or even laundry soap and water like we talked about in Bitesize 59.
Test it again. If you’re still getting burning, your blade may simply be dull. Try a sharp blade and see if that clears it up. Of course, that may only solve the problem temporarily if something else is still creating too much heat.
Next, check your tooth count. Too many teeth in the cut create more friction and heat, and in thicker or denser woods that can be a problem. Fewer teeth may leave a slightly rougher cut, but they’re much less likely to burn.
Feed rate is also important. If you’re pushing too slowly, the blade keeps contacting the same area of wood longer and longer. And allowing your stock to stop for even a moment can leave a burn mark behind.
Those are only a few of the problems. If you’d like to see the rest, along with examples that make it easier to diagnose and stop table saw burning check the attached video, or go here:
youtu.be/R6tZKZrvd3s
Like step by step projects? Check out the second channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
If your table saw is acting more like a stove than a ripping machine, you’ve probably been here before. You might be new to woodworking or experienced enough to think this shouldn’t happen to you, but there are usually six different reasons why this happens. So let’s put on the detective hat.
First, let’s get the obvious out of the way. If your blade looks like this, it’s top priority. Pitch and resin build up around the teeth, making the blade drag harder through the cut and creating more heat. Use pitch cleaner, or even laundry soap and water like we talked about in Bitesize 59.
Test it again. If you’re still getting burning, your blade may simply be dull. Try a sharp blade and see if that clears it up. Of course, that may only solve the problem temporarily if something else is still creating too much heat.
Next, check your tooth count. Too many teeth in the cut create more friction and heat, and in thicker or denser woods that can be a problem. Fewer teeth may leave a slightly rougher cut, but they’re much less likely to burn.
Feed rate is also important. If you’re pushing too slowly, the blade keeps contacting the same area of wood longer and longer. And allowing your stock to stop for even a moment can leave a burn mark behind.
Those are only a few of the problems. If you’d like to see the rest, along with examples that make it easier to diagnose and stop table saw burning check the attached video, or go here:
youtu.be/R6tZKZrvd3s
Like step by step projects? Check out the second channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
D. Lundman
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
