That is the way I do mine. I have a piece of solid oak that is marked blade changer that hangs with my wrenches. My craftsman did not have a blade lock nor does my Grizzly.
I have never seen a table saw with a lock. Just remember you do not have to crank the blade on to tight, just snug then a little more.
No reason to thing a piece of wood will hurt the blade, those carbide tips are a lot harder than the wood.