After cancelling my table saw order - same day as I ordered it - Fed Ex just delivered my new DELTA Portable Table Saw!!! As the Borg say "Resistance is Futile" (it's a Star Trek thing). I still can't believe it. But it's too cool. I wasn't able to cancel my order for a table saw book and was going to give it to someone at the woodworking school! Oh well...tomorrow I'm getting my first crack at turning pens!

Please post ideas for practical things that I can make with a table saw...I have a stack of wood to practice on I better run out and get those glasses and earplugs!!! Should I get some ear plugs for the neighbors too?

Easy does "it".....
Goodness.. I can feel the EXCITEMENT from..ear ...
> Safety Glasses < Numero Uno !! on the list

Safety first, OK?
Read the book and develope safe work habits with your saw.
Would you be interested in making a Japanese Shoji screen?

I'm going to get a face shield...it may sound extreme but being a beginner I think it's wise. I've heard so much about "kick-back". What about a hard hat I figure I can get the protection stuff at my school. How's that DonkeyDave!! I don't have to just drool this time!!!

Does this make me a bona-fide woodworker??

Desire makes you a lover or a woodworker, Sugar.
Experience makes you a good one.

If I were you I'd get the earmuff type hearing protectors. They're easier to get on and off and IMO, more comfortable.

Good for you, Karen!
While your buying all that stuff, a good combination blade is a good idea also.. I would suggest you just practice making cuts, both cross cuts, using the miter gauge, and rip cuts, using the rip fence.. In a previous post someone suggested using a "push stick" for rip cuts.. A VERY good idea!!

Start by reading the book, and asking all the questions you can!!

I admire your zeal!!

A face shield is a better idea than safety glasses, because you will have some situations where the saw will spit small slivers at your face. Been there, done that!

Get or make a good push stick or two. I have one I got through mail order that has a slender aluminum blade and a bright orange handle; very easy to see!

Get the best ear muffs you can; they are not much more expensive than the cheap ones. I got mine at HD and I believe they are made by AO. Wearing hearing aids is not fun; take my word for it.

I have the same aluminum push stick.. I have it for years and have no idea where I got it. It may have been a give-away at a trade show!!

I definitely think a face shield would be nice. The saw I've got sprays a lot of sawdust up into my face when I'm standing there, even with the vacuum connected to the port on the bottom of it. I have to wear the full side coverage goggles to use it rather than the safety glasses that I wear for everything else.

my own personal little safety litany goes something like:
never work in a hurry
never work when you're tired
never work after that beer
when you think you're ready to start the saw, stop take a deep breath and think for a second to review what you're doing and make sure that things like the push stick are within reach.

ENJOY!