I’m fixin’ to make some throat plates for my SawStop. SawStop uses walnut for their dado throat plates. Is there an advantage to using walnut rather than some other hard wood such as oak or maple?
George
You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. – Michael Pritchard <!—-><!—-> <!—->
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I have used white melamine covered particleboard for years. It is durable enough, and you can write on it.
In fact, I use melamine as tools in my shop for a lot of things. It's a very handy, durable, and versatile tool, and really inexpensive.
Hal
http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com
Whatever scrap that you've got lying around...MDF, ply, paduk etc
George,
No, there is no advantage in using walnut. I would use high quality ply for inserts. Stable and flat. I suspect Sawstop will eventually include a variety of species on dado inserts. If I had to guess, I'd say there was a good deal on the walnut they used for their initial small run. I have no proof, just a hunch.
-Paul
I bought a small package of laminate flooring at Lowe's from the bargain bin ($3 or so) It makes the perfect throat plate. I made quite a few at one so I could have a dado plate, regular, tilted blade, etc. Works great
Great idea .......... never thought of that.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
First, we have to give you some grief about having a SawStop and a walnut plate. Must be nice to be so rich, walnut no less! You wouldn't be braggin' would you, George?
On throat plates, the harder they are, the better. It's a good idea to make a bunch of them to fit all the different blades/dadoes and heights you normally use. The tighter the slot, the better it keeps dust below the table and small slivers won't get sucked in. Melamine or laminate will stand up to the abrasion caused by the sawdust better than wood. Many of my older wood plates are carved out, right at the front from the sawdust. Solid wood will change dimensions with humidity. Sometimes they rattle and other times they get stuck. Using something that is stable will give a more reliable fit. Enjoy the saw.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I will gladly take the grief. No I'm not rich. Retired Air Force E-9 and retired GS-12. Just been saving for a long time to build and equip my dream shop when I retired. The time is finally here; the shop is built; and now 98% equiped. I am having a ball.
The SawStop plates are almostly exactly 1/2 inch thick. I wonder how that compares with the Lowes laminate flooring? That sounds like an interesting option. Melamine on MDF also sounds good.
GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->
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I would prefer phenolic #1 or baltic birch plywood#2.. I was using oak which inhind site was a poor choice ( a tighter grain wood would have been better than oak). because i had a kick back which slapped down on the insert and broke the oak throut plate and threw it out in two pieces. Not really sure on exactly what happened but i don/t want a throat plate to break again or even a throat plate to be thrown out at all.Now it is going to be screwed down. Chris
I was a little concerned about the thickness of the laminate flooring when I started, but because it stays so flat, it never hangs on an edge, and I do use set screws to level it, so it is perfect in the opening. If it is a nice fit, I have more trouble getting it out (even with a finger pull) than keeping it in place.
I made my throat plates from plywood, waxed the surfaces, they seem to hold up well. I would be inclined to keep the original walnut plate as a template, or, to transfer its shape to a piece of man-made material so as to have an accurate template for the future.
Now, if I could figure out how to keep my throat plates and to install a SawStop under one of them, I would be a happy camper.
Enjoy.
I used plywood, and painted them bright orange. Lasts for years. The orange is to know where NOT to put your hands. Of course, you have a Saw Stop. So, uh, put your hands there and let us know if the machine thinks it's a hot dog!!
I suspect your message was to the OP, I have with a Jet Cabinet saw, but I would be happy to replace the throat-plate holder with a SawStop. If I had the wherewithal to 'afford' a SawStop, I think I would revisit the entire table saw concept, and try to see what our European and British friends are using.
I very much like your idea of orange paint, and while it might not help on a rip of sheet goods, would certainly be helpful for most other cuts. I'll probably incorporate that safety element into my next run of throat plates--I also use Baltic birch.
Thank you for an excellent safety idea.
FWIW, Pat Warner uses walnut in his router fence design because it is so stable. Maybe that's why Saw Stop chose it as well.
I am guessing that SawStop used walnut because it looks expensive and improves the quality look of the machine.
The melamine plates that I use are made from 3/4" or 5/8" material. This way I can cut the places where they sit in the saw to exactly the right thickness.
Hal
The advantage to using walnut is that it's.....prettier?
Is that right? Do I win?
Expert since 10 am.
SawStop Throat Plate
I bought this throat plate for my SawStop not too long ago and it was the best buy I've made in a long time. They just came out with an aftermarket SS plate that is so much better than the stock plate! I can't tell you how many of those I went through!
Here's the link: http://www.infinitytools.com/searchprods.asp
Enjoy!
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