Top Shop Tips

[Dave in Md]

Unlike some I am a stickler for using the blade guard whenever possible. However it is often troublesome during setup so I made a few modifications, I cut the press nut off on one side and crossdrilled for a hairpin.

[amateur60]

That looks helpful, but frankly I never use a blade guard because it interfers with using push sticks and seeing what is happening.  I am religious about using my pop-in Beisemeyer splitter, however.  I'm convinced that kickback is the bigger danger. 

[drjerry1351400]

What brand of saw blade guard are you referring to?  Photo doesn't show where you replaced the bolt/nut with the pin.  Thanks for the info.

J. Neff

Greeley, CO

[Dave in Md]

Hi, the bottom photo shows the hairpin in place, this is the stock guard on my Unisaw.  Pulling the hairpin, allows me to remove the plastic guard for setup then replace it quickly when I am ready to cut.  An additional benifit is that if the cut will not allow the guard to be used, the splitter is still in place.

[tod.jervey]

It would be super friendly to attach the clip to the pin so that when they were removed they stayed together. Nice job.

[Dave in Md]

Tod, Thanks, I gave the tether idea a passing thought but having a loop is just asking for something to snag in it at the wrong time.  I just set them on the fence during a setup or if I can not use the guard, just the splitter I run it through the guard and put the clip on.

[3-j]

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Dave in Md wrote:

Tod, Thanks, I gave the tether idea a passing thought but having a loop is just asking for something to snag in it at the wrong time.  I just set them on the fence during a setup or if I can not use the guard, just the splitter I run it through the guard and put the clip on.

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Just put the clip on the pin.  No need for a loop.

[dlc921]

Great tip.  I just ordered a replacement blade guard for my TS and will use your idea, when all the parts get here and I assemble it.  Thanks for sharing.

[jwoodwright]

Wish I would have seen this.  On my Delta Contractor saw, there is a notch for holding the guard up during blade changing...   The notch works when the throat plate isn't there.  Annoying if you want to see set-up.  So I popped the one cap off and gently introduced the end of the plastic to Mr. Disc sander.  Voila'!  Put the pin in place, nut back in place.  Still have to remove for some cuts and there are dings from where it caught the blade...

Then I saw the guard on the NEW Uni-Saw...   Why can't I have a guard like that?  Riving knife follows the blade, thus more blade, more knife...