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Circular saw, jointer and table saw scare the living $#1+ out of me.
How do I get rid of the fear? I've watched tons of safety videos and read all manuals cover to cover and still feel wary of using them.
I guess I can describe myself as a DIY'er wannabe at best.
Check with your park districts and your community colleges for information on their wood working classes. Many offer classes on hand and power tools. You could also check with some local carpenters and cabinet makers for some individual instruction on the tools you're interested in.
Fear will lessen once you are familiar with the tools operation. To build familiarity…
You've already got off to a good start, but there is no substitute to making an informed start with something small. Always practice cutting a few times on scrap, before trying to complete a finished job.
Get a lot of practice.
To start, go buy (or dumpster-dive) some cheap plywood. Then cut it into little pieces and throw them away. Just burn the wood as practice cuts - don't try to "make" anything. You'll want to start by practicing small things (cross-cut some 2x4's, cut 12" pieces of plywood, etc.), then work up to practicing cuts across a sheet and along the length of a sheet. Try practicing some fine details, like "a strip 5 feet long and exactly 3-3/4 inches wide".
The most terrifying one will probably be the circular saw. Once you can break down your sheet goods, you can move to the table saw and work on making fine, precise cuts.
Honestly, the jointer scares me, too. Because the failure mode throws my body parts directly at the blade. Make sure you have some push paddles, and keep a healthy fear of that thing. ;-) Also, practice your positioning before each cut-- "paddles will both be on this side, then the stick gets here and I move this paddle over, ... etc."
What you want is a repectful fear of the tools. They can indeed seriously injure or kill, but most often the things that cause it are because you took a shortcut or didn't pay attention.
Do you drive a car? Cars kill tons of folks every year, yet millions of folks use them to safely get where they need to go. The first thing I told my kids about driving the riding lawnmower is it has enough power to potentially kill someone. Neither are likely, and proper respect for their use will generally keep you from doing things that increase those odds.
The part that scares folks about saws is they cut and they kickback. Even my father-in-law (longtime professional woodworker) nearly had his table saw take off a finger when it threw a board back at him. But we're talking about a man with thousands of hours of power tool use getting one bad board (and even he admitted he could have been more careful). Odds are, if you use power tools long enough, it will do something unexpected (law of averages). As a weekend warrior, we're talking about a possibility on the order of being killed by a lightning strike.
Kickbacks happen because you
The ways you can limit these are
Other tips to help with this are
You don't need powertools, especially if your livelihood doesn't include woodworking.
Woodworking is a kind of meditation for me, and I could not relax while using powertools. Sure, it's slower with hand tools, but being fast really is not the goal. And this way, I know I cannot lose a finger during a second of inattention.
It's possible to create awesome objects with just a few tool:
The only power tool I ever use is an electric drill. I sometimes use a brace, which works perfectly fine.
The stuff I produce has many small flaws, but I don't care much. It's still a great feeling to see my daughter play with her Lego castles on a shelf I created, or eat dinner in front of a sunset, on a DIY table.
There are thousands of techniques to learn with hand-tools, and there are many low-tech tutorials on the Internet (just one example: "how to saw with a Japanese pull saw").
If you watch woodworking tutorials with powertools, you can very often find alternative ways to follow them with hand tools. I followed this tutorial for the DIY table, simply using a Ryoba instead of a Miter saw.
Finally, woodworking is much more than simply cutting wood : planning, measuring and getting the right pieces of wood are all extremely important steps too, and you don't need powertools for those. Measure twice and cut once.
These two statements are incompatible:
Fear of using power tools
and
Circular saw, jointer and table saw
The former tells me you have almost no experience doing DIY so a jointer and a table saw are not beginner tools.
I bought a circular saw and compound sliding miter saw first, 4 years later a table saw, and have yet to buy a jointer. I've renovated my house more than I'd like to admit.
When using a circular saw always make sure you're workpiece is on a stable surface and clamped down. Verify that your work surface is not in the cut path before cutting the workpiece. Use a high-quality blade and never run it through metal. The sharper the blade, the less kickback potential. Get someone to help you when making long cuts or put your workpiece across two stable surfaces and cut in the open air space.
Wear Earmuffs
They let you concentrate on your work instead of ear pain.
The former tells me you have almost no experience doing DIY so a jointer and a table saw are not beginner tools. Excellent points!
It is good that you think about the dangers. You will get over your fears as soon as you understand the dangers involved.
Portable powertools differ.
Something like an power-sander or a dremel should be safe (I let my 4year old one work on a scrap-piece of plywood with a dremel, he had safety googles, earmuffs, gloves and a great time).
Jigsaws should be quite safe, as long as one can think about where he places his fingers while he saws away (the professionals use a barrel-grip saw and place them under the piece, so that the blade points upwards. That way the material on the upper, visible side won't splinter, as the blade cuts downwards into the material, while they can observe and direct the cut). Kickback can happen, but are light. I'd place a router in the same area.
Circular saws are to be respected for their kickback. Riving knifes will reduce kickback significantly. Circular saws without them are illegal in my jurisdiction.
Chainsaws (yes, those are not really tools for the fine woodworking) produce a lot of injuries per year. Don't operate one without proper training.
Bandsaws, jointers, tablesaws and perhaps lathes are one of the most dangerous things out there in the trade. It isn't wrong to have an healthy respect for them. Those should be only bought and operated after thorough training. Courses are a good way to be familiar with them, as you can operate them under professional supervision. Just watching some Youtube videos might not cut it..
The most important thing is about how you work: Have the piece firmly attached, have a good light and be calm and attentive. Much more accidents happen when one is in a hurry, while being exhausted, in the low-light, holding the workpiece with one hand while sawing with the other hand.
I can relate completely to the fear you're speaking about. I had a massive fear when I was learning how to drive. Later in life, it took me time to get past the fear for simpler tools (like my drill press). I now have a router, but I haven't yet worked up the courage to try it out.
Here's how I see the problem:
Unfamiliarity plus sensory overload (or anticipation of sensory overload) can seem overwhelming. You might fear that you'll forget one of the zillions of safety rules in the moment of making the cut (or the left turn). Ironically, these effects may be more intense for more conscientious people that always try to do things the right way.
Here are things I've done to get past that.
Worry only about the things that matter at the given moment. There are more safety rules than you can reasonably keep in your head at every moment.
But a lot of the rules apply when you're setting up the tool and the operation you want. Separate out all the rules about securing your workpiece, setting the right speed for the tool, making sure the guards are in place, putting on your safety glasses, etc. Once you've completed the setup, mentally check all those safety rules off your list. If necessary, double- and triple-check the setup until you're convinced those rules are taken care of. You shouldn't be running through those once you've started doing the operation.
Some safety rules may apply only for certain operations. If you're doing a cross cut with a table saw, you don't need to worry about safety that apply only to rip cuts or beveled cuts or dado cuts. Focus on the instructions that apply to what you're doing and put the others out of your mind.
Rehearse.
Stand at the tool and pantomime all of the moves you'll make. Imagine squaring the workpiece up against the rail, how will you start to move the piece (or tool), decide at what point might you need to grab a push stick, and what happens as you finish the operation, and how you will get the piece and yourself clear of the sharp bits.
Desensitize.
A lot of power tools are loud, which can contribute to the sensory overload. I recommend hearing protection, but even with that, you're going to hear it. Turn your tool on and just let it run. Learn what it sounds like. Repeat as necessary until you feel like you can turn it on without a surge in your heart rate or holding your breath. You're ready when you can imagine doing all the things your rehearsed with that racket going on.
Of course, sound change as the tool is being used. You can watch some online videos of people using the same tool to know what sounds are normal when the saw first bites into the wood, as the cut proceeds, and as the piece clears the blade. When actually cutting, you don't want to be startled by normal sounds.
Work with a friend.
A friend who already knows how to use the tool can be invaluable. They can demonstrate and explain things in a way that many videos cannot. After you've done an operation, they can offer pointers based on what you did right or wrong.
But learning alongside someone who has no more experience than you can also be helpful. Talking through your plans and concerns can help you feel more confident even if the other person doesn't have the experience necessary to validate what you're thinking. You can take turns using the tool (and cut your risk of cutting off a finger by half!). Watching each other try new things can help you learn almost as much as if you do it yourself.
And the very least, you know somebody will call the paramedics if it all goes horribly wrong.
Remind yourself that millions of buffoons are doing it. If they can, you certainly can.
You should have a healthy bit of fear. That keeps you focused on using the tool correctly. The trick is to develop enough confidence to not let that fear stop you but not so much that you become careless.
Woodworking tools are designed to tear apart material that can be even tougher than flesh and bone. So obviously there is real danger. But these tools are sold to anyone. You don't need a license or special insurance. Reputable brands have many safety features and are designed to make it possible for most buffoons to use them safely.
Sure, table saw users lose 4000 fingers a year. But you have to remind yourself that most of those people were not as conscientious as you. For whatever reason, they removed a blade guard and/or got distracted and/or tried a complex operation before they got familiar with the tool. Maybe then never even read the safety tips in the manual or watched a decent how-to video. Perhaps they were overly confident and made a mistake.
Or maybe, despite doing everything right, they got hurt anyway. I guess they should have bought a Saw Stop.
For me, it was getting a drill with variable speed.
A long time ago, electric drills used to just have a switch - click, and it is on at full speed. When I first used a modern cordless drill that I was able to start slowly, it made me realise that I am in control of the tool.
I suggest that you build your confidence with these variable speed tools, like drill, jigsaw, sander - things that you would have to try really hard to hurt yourself with.
After some time, you will have the confidence to use the more dangerous tools and the ones that don't have soft-start capability.
You still need to maintain a healthy respect for the danger that every power tool poses - but don't be hamstrung by it.
There is nothing to fear. Don't panic. Don't think about having your hands and fingers chopped off, but think of the job that you are trying to get done. If you are afraid of the tool getting out of control, then just get a tighter grip. If you do these two things, you will be, and might feel, alot safer.
Circular saws scare me also. I don't own one. I don't do enough that needs one. Also. shops will cut sheet materials to the length or width you want for a small charge per cut, using a massive circular saw rig I don't know the name for.
If I did need to use a circular saw, I'd probably find some training classes to learn about what to do and (critically) not to do.
I have a jigsaw. It's very hard to do yourself a serious injury with a jigsaw. True, it cuts slower than a circular saw, and you cannot get an exactly straight edge. Often that doesn't matter, for example the cut edge of a shelf or worktop against the wall. When it does, you can use a plane or power planer to smooth the cut edge.
It's also a far more versatile tool. You can cut openings and curves with it.
Along with all the other good advice here, I'd add: wear some PPE.
A lot of "the pros" don't bother because they know what the risk factors are and are prepared for them. Even the youtubers aren't always a good example.
If you're using (say) a circular saw, then wear eye protection (glasses/googles or whatever). Wear some ear defenders - but get stuff that's comfortable so you can wear it for at least a half hour without itching or sweating. The eye protection will stop any saw dust getting in your eye, or distracting you. The ear protection will still let you hear, but it just sounds like it's further away - so the sound of the tool and the cutting won't freak you out (as much).
Of the other advice though, I'd say familiarity with the tool at hand is always useful. Likewise, clamping down your work so that it won't move before, during or after your cut will really help you. It also will get you in the habit of spending more time setting up a cut than actually cutting, thinking about your work space, the cut, risk factors etc.
I had previously said "wear some gloves" (as they'll stop any bits that fly off distracting you), but as per comments, "gloves are not recommended for spinning tools". @FreeMan makes good points that they don't actually protect you from the blade and can get caught up and so pull you into the blade rather than letting you pull away from it.
In an effort to find sources, here's one saying not to wear gloves: https://woodworking.stackexchange.com/a/88 and one saying you should: https://www.protecdirect.co.uk/Personal-Protection-Equipment-Industry-News/Circular-saw-safety-advice-issued~na~3351, although the HSE, to which they make reference don't say anything on the matter: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/wis16.pdf. On balance then, I'd say don't wear gloves.
With all tools - not just power tools I take my new people on the younger side and walk them through the safety of each tool but most importantly how each tool could injure them.
Here are some examples and some might seem basic but if it is an example, I have seen someone do it this way:
Circular saw - Make sure your off hand is never used as a guide (use a wood block), make sure blade is 100% during engage or assume a kickback (and again why not to use hand as guide), turns must be gradual or blade sticks, do not operate directly over your head.
Reciprocating saw - don't go at the wood (material) with blade engaged. Start your cuts at the material. Make sure you have the right blade for the right material. These blades are cheap and easy to switch between a metal and wood blade. Never operate directly overhead. Two hands should be on the saw and off hand should apply slight pressure to cut area.
Angle grinder - one of the more dangerous pieces of equipment. Only cut away from you, only turn on away from you. Even with grinder spinning always expect kickback. Make sure that blade is done spinning before moving grinder to another position.
Mitre Saw - Never hold anything within a couple inches and 6" should be a minimum. If you need to cut something smaller you might need to find tool. Also I cringe when a younger crew member is looking around for a 4" piece of trim because their next cut needs to be 3.5"... Sometimes not getting hurt is making good decisions before you get to the tool. For sure wear goggles if you are cutting basically anything but wood. I would say always wear goggles but I understand for this tool some don't. Plastic, metal, other materials split off a mitre saw fast and usually right where you are sitting.
Drill - Never secure an item with your hand next to a drill bit. I have seen so many fingers get shredded. If something is that small use a wrench or a clamp or whatever to hold down the piece, not your finger 2 inches away.
Table saw - Fingers/hands never in front of the blade. A good 1.5-2' is minimum. If you are crosscutting boards on a cheap/small table saw, have someone pulling and then both go to each side. If you have a small cut to make use a board or a form to push.
The circular saw and table saw are more noisy than dangerous (well, they ARE dangerous, but few rules can save all your fingers).
The noise is what makes a lot of people scared (even if other things can be equally bad).
The noise is what forces novices to make nervous movements and less than objective judgements.
Fear is also promoted by being alone.
Learn how to use them. There's two ways you can do that.
Trail and error.
Tutelage and less error.
I've never used any tool that I've haven't seen someone else use. And I've never done anything that I've haven't seen someone else do. I had an unhealthy fear of firearms; now it's just a healthy fear as I've received years worth of instruction from someone who once held the rank of sergeant in the US military.
