> This is known as a plunge cut and is extremly dangerous on a table saw.
> This is because the cutting action of the tool is back towards the operator.
> Make a jig that holds the bottom edge of the board such that it cannot be
> thrown toward the operator.  Also be sure that as you lower the board that
> if it does catch, it will not drag fingers into the blade.  You cannot
> depend on reaction time, the jig must do the protecting.
 
Doing handholds used to scare me considerably.  Then I found that you
could go ahead and nail the box up first.  With a fence across the
width of your sawbench, you can then lower the end down onto the
blade(s) while holding the box well away from the blades.  I found it
to give much better control, but still never liked the job!
 
 
  (\      Nick Wallingford
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