Use of table saws

[sgr]

I have been reading a bit about the use of table saws. I gather they have a wide variety of applications such as cutting "dados", the use of various jigs (such as those for tenoning) and many others beyond the obvious one of ripping.

My tablesaw (just a cheap unit from Aldi or somewhere) has a blade guard attached to a riving knife immediately behind the blade. The guard can presumably be removed for some operations, such as where a jig provides its own alternative guard. The riving knife to which it is attached, however, is apparently not supposed to be removed. It extends above the top of the blade though, and that would seem to preclude most operations that don't cut right through the workpiece, becausroue although the uncut part would clear the blade it would then foul on the riving knife.

With apologies if this is an old chestnut, what am I missing?

 

[novocaine]

you will need to make a new knife that sits in line with the top of the blade.
most people cut down the original knife then make a different way of holding the guard for normal operation.

 

[Harbo]

Nothing you are perfectively correct.
The only time I remove mine is when using a sledge and other jigs.

Rod

 

[sgr]

Nothing you are perfectively correct.
The only time I remove mine is when using a sledge and other jigs.

I think I could use a sledge with the knife in place, but the guard would have to be removed. Any recommendations for guarding the blade when using a sledge (or other jigs), or do people usually just use their saws unguarded with such things?

 

[sgr]

you will need to make a new knife that sits in line with the top of the blade.
most people cut down the original knife

Interesting, thanks. I did actually wonder about that but I'm very aware that as a newbie there are bound to be all sorts of potential dangers that I won't have thought about but hopefully the designers of the saw will have. Any idea why the knife is likely to have been made taller than the blade in the first place?

then make a different way of holding the guard for normal operation.

That occurred to me too, but I don't have any particularly bright ideas about how I might do that. Doe anyone have any useful links about custom and/or aftermarket guard arrangements?

 

[Steve Maskery]

The RK was made taller so that it can support the guard whilst using the full cutting height of the blade.

You should be aware that there are very few saws onthe UK market that will take a dado set. I can think of only Woodford's Xcalibur. You certainly won't be able to fit one to an Aldi special or any other table-top model.

As for aftermarket guards, I and many others with saws like mine, use a SUVA-style guard, a blade cover that is mounted on an arm, independent of the blade and RK.

 

[sgr]

there are very few saws onthe UK market that will take a dado set.

That's OK, I wasn't planning on buying a dado set, that was just an example of something I've seen on the web. I have cut a few short "through mortices" (is that the UK term for dado?) just using a single blade though. For quite narrow stock that seems to work OK with the riving knife and guard attached, but the knife gets in the way with wider stock.

As for aftermarket guards, I and many others with saws like mine, use a SUVA-style guard, a blade cover that is mounted on an arm, independent of the blade and RK.

I've had a quick google but I haven't yet discovered what SUVA stands for. Will continue looking, thanks for the pointer.

 

[Steve Maskery]

It an acronym for a Swiss insurance company, believe it or not. It a style of guard they approve of and it has consequently taken its name:
SUVA, Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt (Accident Insurance, Suisse)

You can see an earlier version of mine on some of Youtube Videos.
S

 

[sgr]

It an acronym for a Swiss insurance company, believe it or not. It a style of guard they approve of and it has consequently taken its name:
SUVA, Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt (Accident Insurance, Suisse)

Ah I'd never have guessed, but that's probably fair enough!

You can see an earlier version of mine on some of Youtube Videos.

Thanks, I'll take a look. Do you have a link?

 

[Steve Maskery]

Try this one, about 5 mins in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIBKp9_ ... --Y4lVORYA

The one I show on my DVD is a later version of that one, it is more articulated and covers the blade better when cutting thicker stock.

 

[sgr]

Thanks, that looks nicely secure and robust. It doesn't look as if it would move as the blade is raised and lowered, but I'm guessing it's made big enough to accommodate the blade at full height so it doesn't need to move (except to allow entry of the workpiece, of course)?

 

[Steve Maskery]

Correct. The Mk II version is friendlier, of course.

S

 

[sgr]

Noted, thanks.