How To Change & Align Your Table Saw Blade

Changing blades on a table saw is a task you'll repeat every time your blade needs cleaning or you want to switch to specialty blade, such as a ripping blade or a dado blade set. Aligning the blade, on the other hand, is a more involved operation you'll do much less frequently and probably only when you start to notice the saw isn't cutting as cleanly or easily anymore. Here's what you need to know to accomplish both of these blade-related tasks.

How to Change a Table Saw Blade

This video will walk you through the process of changing a table saw blade using four different methods:

Using two wrenches—one to secure the arbor shaft and the other to loosen the arbor nut

Using the saw's arbor lock feature and one wrench to loosen the arbor nut

Using a blade-holding device, such as a Bench Dog Blade-Loc or a Blade-Lock Blade Changing Tool, and one wrench to loosen the arbor nut

Using a block of wood to secure the blade and one wrench to loosen the arbor nut

The blade-changing method you choose will depend on the table saw model you own and your comfort level working with sharp blades. Regardless, be sure to unplug the saw before removing or installing blades. Wearing a pair of thick work gloves can also help prevent minor cuts from blade teeth, especially when installing a new blade.

How to Align a Table Saw Blade

If you recently purchased a new or a used table saw, or you move a saw from one location to another, it's a good idea to verify that the table saw blade is perfectly parallel with the miter slots before you begin cutting. The reason for making this inspection is that if the blade is out of the alignment, it can cause excess friction and resistance during cutting, which can make it more difficult to push workpieces through. A misaligned blade can also leave more tearout and burn marks in the wood or worse, it could lead to dangerous kickback.

This video will help you diagnose whether the blade is correctly aligned with the miter slots or needs adjustment, then walk you through the process for correcting the problem.