Rule 5 of 31 · Chapter I — Respect the Machine
Set blade height just above the stock
Why this rule exists
There are two schools on this, and I land on low: a blade set a tooth or so above the wood exposes less steel to catch a hand, and the teeth cut more downward, holding the board on the table instead of lifting it toward you. A blade cranked to full height cuts a hair cleaner and cooler, but it also puts a lot of hungry teeth out in the open. For weekend work, safer wins.
In practice
Raise the blade until the gullets, the valleys between teeth, just clear the top of the board, roughly an eighth to a quarter inch of tooth showing. Check the height against the actual stock before each new thickness rather than trusting your last setting. If you're getting burning or the cut labors, your blade may be dull or your feed too slow rather than the height being wrong. Recheck the setting after any blade change or tilt adjustment.
When it doesn't apply
Some folks and some safety bodies favor full height for cooler cuts and less kickback tendency, and on thick hardwood a higher blade cuts with less strain. It's a real trade-off. Pick your approach deliberately, stay consistent so your setup feels predictable, and prioritize a sharp blade above the height debate.