My Ryobi table saw instructions tell me not to cut round wood. The obvious reason is the large curves in the blade tip sections where the wood could get traped.

Q:- Can it be safely cut if I fitted a fine toothed blade. Reason! cutting many tree branches around 4" or 100mm for logs.

Nobby, December 2008

Switch will not turn saw off

preston Thistle, July 2009

Put a quick release clamp on one side of the circular wood that is to be chopped. This way you will prevent the wood from spinning and also keep your hands well away from the blade. As long as you cutting against the grain, I can't see too much problems as long as your clamp has a very firm grip on the wood :)

Jimbo, April 2009

make a cradle with a 'V' in it so that the round section
of the wood that your cutting fits in. this will stop the wood slipping or jumping when you cut it, even when using a course blade.

herbie, January 2009

Fascinating question...

Short answer = don't know ... but I would think the reason for the restriction may be that circular section (round) wood may begin to spin on its long axis as the saw teeth begin to bite - hand holding wood quickly gets hot - operator lets go and workpiece flys about out of control striking operator senseless... Just a guess...

I would take a chance (being senseless) but would make sure that the workpiece is firmly held and can't spin.

I can't see the saw blade being at all bothered by the cross section of the wood it's cutting...

Peccavi, December 2008