The Table Saw Book: Completely Revised and Updated [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

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Mehler, a professional woodworker, contributes this well-paced, focused book on what is usually the central tool in most woodworking shops. Mehler comprehensively lays out the various choices available and details the advantages of the suggestions he makes, particularly in terms of the reader's level of woodworking skill. Much here will benefit the novice, and a fair amount of the material will serve as a reminder or means of improvement for the advanced woodworker. Illustrations are well placed and relevant to the text, while the drawings are clear. Many suggestions have a direct bearing on convenience and safety. This simple, direct, and thorough book is recommended for collections with extensive woodworking sections. A companion video is available from the publisher. - Alex Hartmann, Bloomsburg Univ. Lib., Pa. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The Table Saw Book provides plenty of information. The organization is fine, and I am not disappointed. Compared with other shop literature, however, Kelly Mehler fails to make the reading compelling -- or even very interesting. This book is more like a dull lecture.

I just purchased my first Delta Table Saw. I found this book to be very good for beginners like myself.

Several important points to note:

Positives:

1) Lots of pictures. Every concept has a clear picture and/or supplemental drawing. Much better than most books I've read that explain the technique, but don't show an example.

2) Serious about the basics. It's an exhaustive study of all the basics, it assumes you know nothing, but is written using novice wording.

3) Breadth. It covers many different examples of saws and attachments, rather than focusing on one saw in particular. Gives a good feel of what is out there, from basic stuff to pro tools.

Negatives:

Continually calls out how much better European saws are, from dust collection to riving knives to sliding table layout. Every other paragraph contains something like: "American saws do ____ poorly, but they are catching up to Euro saws, which have had this feature for years." Granted, he makes some great points, but it gets tedious.

Overall: a fantastic reference book.

Kelly Mehler has a clear, concise writing style that is both informative and easy to understand. The book covers a fair amount of territory in word and uses pictures well. Topics range from table saw anatomy to jigs and fixtures for expanding the utility of this tool that has become the center of many a workshop. Now that I've read the book and used it's advice on setting up my new table saw it will become a valued reference for the future.

Kelly Mehler, who makes some of the most beautiful furniture in America, shows how to get the most out of this essential tool. You'll learn what to look for in choosing a table saw and accessories (including sawblades). He gives valuable tips on setting up a table-saw work area in your shop, and shows how to tune and maintain the saw for smooth, accurate, and safe operation.

By following Mehler's clear, step-by-step instructions, you'll learn how to handle oversized and undersized stock and produce precise, repeatable joints and parts. You'll also learn how to build practical jigs and fixtures to improve the safety of your work and get true and accurate cuts every time.