Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 23, 2005 08:16pm | #1

   I use the Merlin splitter and Penn State overhead guard on my Jet contractors saw.  You can check here to see if Excalibur makes a splitter for your saw.

   If memory servers, the Beisemeyer splitter is easier to "get out of the way" than the Merlin.  Couldn't get one to fit my saw, so.......

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

1. 
   bigbob107 | Dec 25, 2005 06:27pm | #2

   How do you like the penn state blade guard?  I have there cyclone dust collector and I have been happy with it.  I have checked out several reviews on overhead blade guards and no one did a review for the penn state guard.

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 27, 2005 01:24am | #3

   I like the Penn State guard just fine, but have never used anything different (such as the Brett Guard, for instance) to compare it to.  It is very well made, and user friendly with respect to adjusting the hood back and forth when needed.  It gets in the way sometimes, but seems like all overhead guards do, it's just part of their nature, LOL!  Then one thing I wish they'd do is have a standard size hose coming out of the top, but that's a pretty minor beef.

   There are (or at least were) other Penn State owners here, maybe they dropped out during the changeover.  For me the bottom line is, it does what I want it too, it's manufactured very well, and I can't see what any addition money spent would add to it.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   bigbob107 | Dec 27, 2005 04:39am | #4

   Thank you for the feedback.  I will definately look into the Penn State blade guard.

    

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 27, 2005 07:52pm | #5

   If you develop any specific questions, fire away, I'll be glad to help.  I got a great deal of help from the boards here when my arrived.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 28, 2005 03:09am | #6

   I have the Excaliber guard and am happy with it.  I have a modified* Biesmeyer quick-change splitter on my Jet cabinet saw and it works well also. 

   * it was made for the saw but I didn't like the pawls, so I cut them off.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

1. 
   bigbob107 | Dec 29, 2005 06:01am | #7

   Did you look into any other overhead blade guards.  One of the other people who responded had the penn state guard?

1. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 29, 2005 10:32pm | #10

   I bought it a show and the only other one there was the Delta.  The DC was an afterthought and used a separate hose.  The Excaliber has the DC integrated into the boom.  The toolless quick release feature is also excellent on the Excaliber.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

3. 
   Sawdust9 | Dec 29, 2005 05:52pm | #8

   I have the Biesemeyer snap in splitter and the Excalibur overarm guard on a Unisaw. The Bies is very easy to use and as a result gets used. The Excal probably offers the most effective dust collection and I like it, but it's more expensive than the Penn State unit.  

4. 
   Firewoodmaker | Dec 29, 2005 06:24pm | #9

   take a look at the Bret guard by HTC. It is rated for safety by OSHA and used in many commercial and education related shops. Unlike many other guards that simply allow the workpiece (or hand) to slide under them as they rise up, the Brett is fixed in place by a turn handle (turn screw) and does not rise upward. There are built in anti kickback devices (which cna be disabled) and they provide a spliter to use with it *small piece of steel)

   I use mine on my unisaw with the Delta removable splitter (part of the Delta overhead system- ablout 1/3 the cost of a beismeier).

   By the way, HTC does not have a web address, they are a small company in Royal Oak , Michigan  and will send a catalog and info if you call. Their sutomer support number can be found by Googleing them.

5. 
   fullhouse | Dec 30, 2005 03:04am | #11

   Another vote for  the Brett Guard, works well, easy to use .