I’m doing some very very preliminary research into Overarm Blade Guards.
I had a chance to look at the newest Sommerville Excalibur, but I’ve only talked with Philip Humphries at Exactor … I will take a trip to showroom at some point to see the actual unit.
I’m just hoping for any first person experiences, particularly with the new versions of these guards, or with the use of any overarm guards in general. (The Delta Uniguard Overarm won’t fit my saw, a 36-655, but I plan to use the Uniguard Splitter). My rig would need to become mobile, and ceiling mount is unlikely.
Thanks in advance.
Wayne in Waterdown, ON
Replies
Wayne,
I can't comment on the manufacture's products since I use a shop-made ceiling-mounted dust/blade guard. What I can say is that when spec'ing out a unit, pay attention to how easy it is to move it out of the way when you need to use a tenoning jig or other devises that require a lot of clearance. Next, be aware that using a push-stick on any board more narrow than the portion of the area to right ( or left) of the guard plus the thickness of the push stick will not work with a conventional fence setup. Since most ripping involves narrow cuts, to use the overhead guard you need a thin auxiliary fence that incorporates a push block . John O'Connell posted a drawing for one in Knots about a year ago that works really well.
Next, dust collection: If you use a zero-tolerance throat insert you need the guard/DC to extend as far to the front of the saw as possible since much of the dust will be ejected in this direction and the guard needs to come down as close as practical to the surface of the wood. Also, you will reduce the CFM's to the lower TS DC port unless you are running a large DC system. On mine I have 2.5" port to the overhead DC and 5" port to lower TS. Before the adding the overhead guard I had no dust in the lower portion of the cabinet saw and now there is a build up using a 2-hp cyclone system.
My 2-cents worth.
Doug
Have you checked out the guard at http://www.pennstateind.com ?
They have a $15.00 off coupon available until 06/06/2005. Go to http://www.pennstateind.com/218-email-coupon.html for more information
Do a search on Item # E-10213 - PSI's Table Saw Dust Guard with FREE Freight Special can be bought for $159.95 with extra discount coupon.
I have one on order. It will arrive next week. I hope this helps.
It's a good price and all, but as in all my shop purchases, I really want to do this right and once. I've got caught in traps bying lower quality merchandise before and having to replace it. It's not that the PSI product may be inadequate for my needs, but it just seems to be less substantial and has fewer positive reviews to it's credit.My main choice is between the Excalibur and the Exactor, both of which are manufactured close to where I live.I have thought about a DIY project ... but I'm wondering about the value of that once all is said and done (and the fact that I'm a procrastinator).Thanks for your interest and input though. Let me know what you think of the PSI once you have it tested out, and I might give it a second look.Wayne
Follow this thread at the woodnet forum. http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB2&Number=1633361&fpart=&PHPSESSID=
There might be some help there for you. There are picture posts and comments from others who have the Penn State Table Saw Guard.
I have had the Excalibur for more than 10 years and really like it. It is pricey but worth it as it is the biggest safety factor for me in using a table saw. Having that guard always there is so comforting as I know my hand will not actually slip into the blade. It pains me to see photos of folks using a table saw without a guard, really dumb in my opinion.
Since I bought mine, Excalibur improved the dust collection by making the dust chute round rather than a small square. I wouldn't have high expectations on the dust collection as a table saw is always tough to capture everything.
Edited 6/20/2005 8:41 pm ET by Tom
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