Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Jan 27, 2004 07:36am | #1

   I have an excaliber and find it good at picking up dust from the top of the blade.There are downsides to all covers,access and torque on the extension table to name a couple.This forum has had several threads on blade covers.Also FWW did a report in the last couple of years.A search will generate the info you want

1. 
   joe.roth | Jan 29, 2004 12:46am | #9

   Hi Jako:

   I've been think about getting an over arm blade guard and when I read this discussion I searched FW atricle archives for the review of such to no avail and was wondering if you remember anything about the issue that might help me find it.

   Thanks Joe

1. 
   jako17 | Jan 29, 2004 02:22am | #10

   Hi Joe The issue you want is Dec 2001  No 152 page 76 .That is also an article on the Excaliber in No 137 page 32.IMO the former is the most valid.As I mentioned I have the Excaliber so if you require any further information let me know.There are trade offs to all guards so you have to decide which will work best for you.

1. 
   joe.roth | Jan 29, 2004 03:05am | #11

   Thanks Jako

2. 
   DJK | Jan 27, 2004 07:31pm | #2

   If you don't move the saw around on a moble base, build a ceiling mounted guard.

1. 
   Robbie | Jan 28, 2004 01:37am | #3

   Bee:

   You didn't ask, but I have a Biesemeyer and it is actually pretty good.  The dust collection setup is not great, but otherwise it is terrific.  I noticed that in the Closeout section of the website, they have one for a pretty decent price.

   Bob

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Jan 28, 2004 06:57pm | #5

   Robbie,

   Got to ask.. The closeout section of who's web site has the Bies T.S. guard? I have had my eye on the thing for a while and $420 seems to be the going rate..

1. 
   Grata | Jan 28, 2004 07:46pm | #6

   have you checked out biesemeyer's web site?  The have a scratch-n-dent section where you can find some good bargains.

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Jan 28, 2004 08:49pm | #7

   Thanks,

   I never knew that Bies had such a section on their site..

2. 
   Robbie | Jan 28, 2004 10:20pm | #8

   That is correct.  Go to the Biesemeyer website and hit the closeout icon.  They have all kinds of stuff.  It is interesting because you can usually get something there new for less money than people pay for used stuff on E-bay.  Used to be my dirty little secret....

3. 
   Elcoholic | Jan 28, 2004 04:39am | #4

   I'll chime in for the Excalibur.  I works great and gets most of the dust.  I really appreciate the tool-less quick release mounting when I need to cut full sheets.  I also use a modified Biesmeyer splitter which is also an excellent product, albeit an expensive one.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

4. 
   Grata | Jan 29, 2004 07:29am | #12

   How about a sanity check on my gameplan?

   I'm trying to think of a way to get the blade guard to the blade.  I can't use a tubular setup like Excalibur and Bies, because my router table is  on the right end of my table.  The left side also has a cabinet with doors and drawers that would preclude attaching the overarm assembly.

   So I'm thinking of a ceiling-mounted option, that would just require me to get the TS to the same posit every time I set up shop.

   Penn State has the blade guard for ~$25, and they also have a "dust picker" (can't remember the price, but less than $100).  Or I might try to modify a desk lamp arm to hold the guard.  I'll have to make it easily removeable so it won't interfere with parking (damn cars).  This is already shaping up to be a Rube Goldberg contraption.

   Anyone else done a similar setup?

1. 
   jackiechan | Jan 29, 2004 08:57am | #13

   G' -

   It is possible to mount an overarm guard on the router table side of your saw.  On certain tubular models, like the Penn State (which is almost identical to the Exaktor), the upright support pillar is actually a two tube assembly.  One tube mounts to the end of the table saw's extension (your router side), between the floor and to just below the table's surface.  A second tube is mounted on top of the first (on the top, telescope style), and is secured with a T-handled bolt.  The boom arm that holds the actual guard extends from the top of the second tube.  The second tube, boom, and guard assemble are designed to be removable when extra space is needed (i.e. cutting a sheet of plywood).  By simply loosening the T-bolt, the top half of the unit can be lifted off leaving an unobstructed table work surface.  These same guard assemblies are also designed to be mounted to the ceiling. 

   If you need to mount a guard to the ceiling that also must make way for parking cars, the solution would be a two bolt pivoting bracket permanently mounted to the ceiling.  The guard is mounted to the ceiling via a bracket that has two bolts running through the side of it.  One would be a permanent bolt, and the other could be a cotter pin set up.  When the guard has to be removed, simply undo the cotter pin, and swing the guard back and secure the end with a hook also mounted on the ceiling.  Paint some marks on the garage floor so that you can position the saw in the same spot each time.

   If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.