Reworking my first-week safety plan

In last night’s beginner class, a rushed table saw rip made me rethink sequencing; I’m moving Week 1 to bandsaw practice and hand-tool cleanup, with a strict hands-6-inches-from-the-blade rule and riving knife/push-stick requirements before any table saw work. What early drills have helped you build accuracy and confidence — thinking straight-line rips in 3/4 in poplar and simple stop-cut practice — without sacrificing safety?

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Sounds like a solid plan! When I was starting out, I found that practicing with thicker stock really helped my confidence with rips. It’s like jogging with weights — taking it slow with the bandsaw first gives you a stronger foundation.

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