Replies

1. 
   Michael | Nov 30, 2005 02:55am | #1

   One that I've been eyeing for a while is

   http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/woodworking/bladeguard/

   I'm going to pull the trigger in the next few weeks, but it looks to be very competitively priced, and well made.

   michael

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 30, 2005 08:14pm | #3

   Michael, I didn't read the whole description throroughly, so I may be wrong, but I don't see a way to easily move the hood back and forth (north/south) once the unit is mounted to the saw.  This would bother me.  Also he states "I moved the main frame assembly until the plastic guard was parallel to the table saws surface. Once I was happy with the alignment I drilled the hole and connected the bar."  Mmmmmm, definitely wouldn't like that. 

   With the other designs (Excalibur and Penn State), you get the main unit in the general area, bolt it on and then make fine adjustments with the hood assembly.  For instance, on the Penn State unit, to adjust for parallel to the table, you simply loosen a knob and tilt the hood.  There have been occasions where I've wanted to slide the hood back a little or up a little (can't remember why, sorry) and that was simple too.

   As to price, the Penn State unit is a few bucks less ($185 right now, on the net).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. 
   Michael | Dec 01, 2005 09:33pm | #6

   It does have some quirks, indeed.  Setting the original alignment is a fairly exacting procedure and places the onus on the installer (not much room for error).  Also, the parrallelism to the tabletop is perserved due to the trapezoid mechanism of the arms.  The drilling he did was the only time that would have to occur, but again, not as easy to install as the PSI unit.

   I don't know if the tinkering aspects of this unit are for everyone.  It is very well built though.  I agree that the Penn State is a very fine unit and have seen how they are very accomodating.

   Not sure which I would recommend to be honest, but just wanted to offer alternate options :)

   I think we both agree that any guard that assists in above table dust collection and offers additional protection are very good to have.

   Cheers,

   michael

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 02, 2005 01:13am | #7

   "I think we both agree that any guard that assists in above table dust collection and offers additional protection are very good to have."  Absolutely!  I can't tell you how much I like having one, especially when sliding along next to the fence ripping off a fairly narrow piece.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. 
   forestgirl | Nov 30, 2005 08:01pm | #2

   The name thing is a reflection of the fact that the companies have to protect against liability, so most do not call it a "blade guard."  This became apparent to me when I opened the package of my Penn State unit.  Old literature used the phrase "blade guard" but that term was nowhere to be found on the web site.  They call it a "dust guard" there, but are very careful not to say "blade guard" and there is even a disclaimer iin the owner's manual explicitly saying it isn't a blade guard.  Totally a legal thing.

   It's been a long time since anyone's reviewed these gizmos IIRC.  The Brett Guard always gets good press from those who own it, but it was way too expensive for me.  I like the Penn State unit, but like all blade guards, sometimes it's in the way.  Looking at the picture of the Excalibur, two things come to mind:  (1) I like the hose connecting from below, but that extra 90* turn might decrease the effectiveness of the collection and (2) Looks like it might be harder to get the Excalibur hood out of the way.  Really hard to tell from the picture.

   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. 
   Tyrone | Dec 01, 2005 12:51am | #4

   Thanks for your reply. I have a friend with the Excalibur so I had an opportunity to look at it up close. Iliked that the in addition to the blade cover being movable, the entire unit can be released from the pivot point on the right of the saw and swung out of the way. My friend did wedge a short piece of 2x4 between the yellow overarm and the saw's extension table just because it seemed to need the support. Crude but effective.    I see that the Penn State unit is about half the cost of the Excalibur but I wonder if it's as good.  Also, since posting my note yesterday, I learned that there is another Canadian company (called Exactor {sp?}) that is directly related but separate from Excalibur. Their unit is aluminum and doesn't have the 90 degree bend in the arm. They say it's lighter than the Excalibur. The learning curve continues.

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 01, 2005 04:47am | #5

   Looking at these pictures, I'm seeing that the Penn State unit most closely resembles the Exaktor model, especially the hood.  The hood on the Excalibur is wedge-shaped, which seems to me would limit its placement over the blade (north/south).  I can't see the entire frame of the Exaktor.  The Penn State unit provides for the 3-way support (pole and two steel ties) like the Excalibur does.  Both the Exaktor and the Penn State units use a counterweight for the hood.

   The other thing I notice is the way the Excalibur's dust suction takes place toward the rear of the chute, as opposed to right in the middle as with the Exaktor and the Penn State units.  Seems to me that the dust will be rising up more toward the middle and flinging itself forward -- unless you have the blade set very high.  I think I like the middle placement better.

   As far as Penn State quality is concern, I think it is excellent.  The only thing that kinda irritated me was the odd size of the hose they use.  Relatively minor thing.

   Keep us posted on the various models you find.  I'll gather up as many links as I can for future reference!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" .... :>)