Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 18, 2003 08:25pm | #1

   Buzz, before you put money into a splitter and guard, check a couple things to be sure it's not wasted money:

   • Will the miter gauge slots handles standard miter gauge bars?
   • Will the arbor handle a dado set (see http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-knots&msg=15276.1   to see what kind of headaches can occur)

   If the answer to either of these questions is "No" you'll have some thinking to do about whether to keep the saw.

   If the answers are "Yes" you could probably make your own splitter.  There are several overhead guards out there, one of which (can't remember name) is around $200 -- most are in the $400 range.  That and an AccuFence by MuleCab should complete the retrofit.

   forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Dec 18, 2003 08:34pm | #2

   Forestgirl,

   I think my miter gauge bar is 3/4".  Would this be considered standard? It is my understanding that all I would have to do is buy a Dado insert from Sears before I can use Dado blades. My parts list does list a Dado insert that I can purchase from Sears.

   Buzz...

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 18, 2003 08:40pm | #3

   Miter slot sounds good.  Re: the dado -- the arbor needs to be long enough to accomodate a full-sized dado set (check that thread I posted).  There's a good chance you're OK, but you want to find out for sure.

   I did a Google search after I posted, trying to find that one blade guard (because I want to put it on my Christmas list!) and didn't find it right away.  However! I did see some links to home-made overhead guards.  You can check them out here:http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=blade+guard+overheadYou might want to add "homemade" to the search string and see what comes up.

   Have fun!forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Dec 18, 2003 08:48pm | #4

   Forestgirl,

     Do you use a shop-vac for your saw dust? I think, based on the size of my shop (12X18), that this would be a good solution and I could run the hose to my different tools when I use them.  I want to implement something fairly cheap and I think this may be the best way to go...

   Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 18, 2003 08:54pm | #5

   For now I do, a big (big!) ol' Craftsman bought back in the 18th century.  Not terribly effect on the contractor saw, but that's partly because I haven't done much to seal it off.  An overhead blade guard with dust collection will really help too.

   The vac works great on the jointer, and probably would do pretty well on the planer if I had the chip collector on it (although it would fill up quite often).  It works pretty well on the bandsaw too, great on the router table and OK on the belt/disc sander.  If you start doing a fair amount of work, you're going to want to set up an air cleaner (overhead filter). 

   Another thing that you can make cheap is a box-fan with filter arrangement to put near any hand sanding you're doing.  Build a frame that will fit your box fan and a corresponding furnace filter.  Put the filter on the inflow side of the fan and put it near your work.

   Mmmmm, gotta get to work, but glad to chat.  Drop me a line if you want!forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

2. 
   Buzzsaw | Dec 18, 2003 09:08pm | #6

   Thanks for all the info.  I don't have most of the tools that you have mentioned.  I do have the table saw and a 12" compound miter saw and stand.  My next purchase is a router and router table.  I do have a next-door neighbor with everything that you have mentioned so he helps me out a lot.  I'm actually in the process of gutting my workshop and re-organizing it to make better use of the space.  I'm working on a kitchen L-shaped booth as my latest project. I really need to buy things slowly or I'm going to go broke. Do you use a guard and splitter when you woodwork? My nieghbor ripped everything off when he bought his and he is an advanced woodworker. I really want to get something for safety sake and it will help with dust collection.

   talk to ya,

   Regards,

   Buzzsaw

3. 
   forestgirl | Dec 19, 2003 01:58am | #8

   Buzz, that miter saw will be a challenge to collect dust from!  I took the easy way out -- only use it outside, LOL.  Many WWers build hoods for theirs so they can use them inside without choking to death.  It's not the volume so much as the velocity that makes it difficult to collect, IMO.

   I firmly believe in splitter and guard protection when using the TS.  I am deliquent at the moment, because I replaced my stock splitter with a removeable Merlin splitter, and haven't gotten/made a guard to go with it.  Hence the desire for the Penn State  overhead guard, and the fact that I'm doing alot of work with the bandsaw these days.  Please don't work without a splitter and guard -- we want you to be able to defend yourself here on Knots with all 10 fingers!

   "...really need to buy things slowly or I'm going to go broke."   No kidding!  I know the feeling.  I gathered my tools last year and the year before when I actually had some discretionary $$.  This year was different -- no tools for me, except taking advantage of the big clamp sale.forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

4. 
   forestgirl | Dec 19, 2003 02:28am | #12

   Buzz, here's the link to the guard:

   http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PSI&Product_Code=TSGUARD&Category_Code=forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

2. 
   DougF | Dec 19, 2003 12:46am | #7

   Jamie,

   The guard is by Pess States: http://www.pennstateind.com/.

   Ive seen it mounted on saws and it works really well, particularily if running things like MDF - ugh - and, even worse, particle board through the saw.

   Doug

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 19, 2003 02:17am | #9

   Thanks, Doug, that's what I thought, but not obvious to find on their home page.  I'm very rushed lately!  I'll take another look.forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

2. 
   DougF | Dec 19, 2003 02:22am | #10

   Jamie,

   Woodworkers are easy to shop for: there's little we don't want or need.  I hope your stocking is large enough to hold everything on your wish list.

   Merry Christmas

   Doug

3. 
   forestgirl | Dec 19, 2003 02:27am | #11

   Oh, dear, took another look at it.  They don't have a splitter installed on the photo model.  Wonder if it would fit over my Merlin.  May have to call and ask them.forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)