Blade guard for Ridgid TS3650; PSI (Overhead) or SharkGuard?

[Greg L. Brown]

I need a better blade guard for my Ridgid TS3650 table saw. I've done heaps of research and, due to money limitations, I've whittled my choices between PSI's TSGuard: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TSGUARD.html

and the Shark Guard http://www.leestyron.com/sharkridgid.php

My primary concern is safety (as a blade guard) and dust collection as secondary. In terms of price, the PSI is only $150 (shipped and delivered) vs. $177 for SharkGuard.

Any comments on the two systems (mostly the PSI; I've heard alot of positives on Sharkguard). I'm leaning towards the PSI overhead system because I may upgrade my saw in 3-5 years and I like that it hovers above the saw. The 3-plus month wait on the SharkGuard isn't ideal either.

I'd also have to buy a new splitter since the one that came with the Ridgid won't work with the PSI TSGUARD. Would an MJ Splitter work with the PSI system?

Thanks,
Greg

[Prashun Patel]

I'm a sharkguard user. Happy. Mainly with the service. I've heard the boom on the PSI can sag. That's hearsay, though.

I had an MJ Splitter. Didn't like it. Kept popping out of the insert. I made a splitter out of a sawed off gate hinge. Worked like a dream.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...89995#poststop

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Greg, in my opinion the SharkGuard has a serious design flaw, it can't be used for non through sawing operations.

I have an overarm guard (Excalibur) on my saw and like it, I also have a Merlin splitter on the saw.

If you do not plan on cutting rebates or dadoes, the Shark Guard should be fine, otherwise you need an overarm guard.

Regards, Rod

[Mike Sandman]

True, the Shark Guard only works for through cuts. A lot of the dust you generate when you cut a dado should get trapped under the piece you're cutting, but some will escape out the back of the cut, and out of the front just as you're finishing the dado. I have my dust collector drawing from both the Shark Guard and from the port in the cabinet of my saw. When I take the guard off for a dado etc., it's easy to close off the upper hose and draw through the cabinet. That reduces dust on non-through cuts.

I looked at the PSI website and like Shawn, I'd be concerned about hanging much weight on a long arm, especially if you have more than 30" of capacity to the right of the blade. The Excalibur overarm guard is out there for a lot more money and it gets good reviews but almost all of the photos I've seen include modifications to stabilze it.

There are tradeoffs in all these decisions, and the PSI solution may work. The Shark Guard definitely works amazingly well, but only for through cuts. The lead time is long but the results are worth the wait.

[Rod Sheridan]

True, the Shark Guard only works for through cuts. A lot of the dust you generate when you cut a dado should get trapped under the piece you're cutting, but some will escape out the back of the cut, and out of the front just as you're finishing the dado. I have my dust collector drawing from both the Shark Guard and from the port in the cabinet of my saw. When I take the guard off for a dado etc., it's easy to close off the upper hose and draw through the cabinet. That reduces dust on non-through cuts.

I looked at the PSI website and like Shawn, I'd be concerned about hanging much weight on a long arm, especially if you have more than 30" of capacity to the right of the blade. The Excalibur overarm guard is out there for a lot more money and it gets good reviews but almost all of the photos I've seen include modifications to stabilze it.

There are tradeoffs in all these decisions, and the PSI solution may work. The Shark Guard definitely works amazingly well, but only for through cuts. The lead time is long but the results are worth the wait.

Hi Mike, I wasn't actually thinking about dust collection while cutting dadoes, I was concerned with having no guard.

A dado is great for grabbing your entire hand.

The Excalibur comes with 2 braces that are designed to be connected to the saw itself. I haven't had any problems with mine, however it's on a 32" saw.

The demo model at the dealer near me is on a General with 50" rip capacity and it's fine as well.

Maybe it's something new?

I like the Shark Guard, however running the saw without a guard , isn't something I'm willing to do so I bought the Excalibur instead.

Regards, Rod.

[Prashun Patel]

Thought of something else:

Sharkguards are made for a specific model of saw. So if you ever upgrade your Rigid, you'll need a new guard. The PSI and Excalibur solutions are independent of saw design.

[Rod Sheridan]

Thought of something else:

Sharkguards are made for a specific model of saw. So if you ever upgrade your Rigid, you'll need a new guard. The PSI and Excalibur solutions are independent of saw design.

Good point Shawn, I should have thought of that as I measured mine to make sure it would transfer from the General to one of those funny Austrian machines.....Rod.

[Greg L. Brown]

Thanks for the replies all. One big question I had is about a splitter upgrade. If I go the PSI (overhead) route, what would I use for a splitter? That's the nice think about the Sharkguard, it's the whole enchilada (guard, DC, and splitter). With my Ridgid saw, the splitter won't work with the PSI unit. I wish my TS had a riving knife so bad. Would solve so much!

Any recommendations for splitters (or something better) for a Ridgid TS3650 saw? Maybe I'll post this as a separate topic (might get more hits). MJ splitter seems the best for my needs.

I'm still leaning towards the Sharkguard, but $177 plus a few upgrades and it's quite pricey. I can get the PSI for $125 out the door (I have a gift $30 gift card).

[Prashun Patel]

I'll reiterate that you can make your own splitter with a little ingenuity.
However, if you want to buy a splitter, you can always buy one from Lee Styron (he sells the splitters by themselves without the guards). The medium height one is about $35 shipped, and the 'shorty' is only $12 shipped.

In fact, I believe that (in solution to my previous post) if you ever upgrade your saw, you can simply buy new splitters and mount your existing SG to them. Of course, by then, Lee will probably be on Version 32, which power feeds the wood for you, and has a dust port with tha kung fu grip.

[glenn bradley]

I've run the PSI for years.

Pros:
- Good blade protection; I also run a ZCI and the MJ Splitter along with it.
- Swings easily out of the way when not required.
- Very adjustable as to position.
- Much more solid than I first thought, it has never given me a problem and I swing it in and out of service many times a day.

Cons:
- 4" to 3" reduction at the mast and then to 2-1/2" at the hood. With my 1HP bagger this was inadequate, my 2HP cyclone works great.
- Can't really think of any others.

[Jerome Hanby]

Anyone look at the guard project from Shopnotes 103? It mounted to the rip fence. I bet it could be modified to be a bit wider and handle non through cuts. If not, it would be easy to remove...

[Greg L. Brown]

I'll reiterate that you can make your own splitter with a little ingenuity.
However, if you want to buy a splitter, you can always buy one from Lee Styron (he sells the splitters by themselves without the guards). The medium height one is about $35 shipped, and the 'shorty' is only $12 shipped.

In fact, I believe that (in solution to my previous post) if you ever upgrade your saw, you can simply buy new splitters and mount your existing SG to them. Of course, by then, Lee will probably be on Version 32, which power feeds the wood for you, and has a dust port with tha kung fu grip.

Shawn,
Any idea if the medium height and "shorty" splitters from Lee (Sharkguard) will work with the PSI (overhead) unit? Seems like the only thing that will work with the PSI unit is the MicroJig (MJ) splitter.

[Prashun Patel]

In pix I've seen of the PSI, it seems like any splitter would work. You should email Lee Styron and ask him.

[Robert Chapman]

I have a Sharkguard. It is a well designed and engineered piece of equipment. But it took Lee 23 weeks to make it and get it to me. So if it is not important to have the product quickly there is no problem with the Sharkguard.

[glenn bradley]

Shawn,
Any idea if the medium height and "shorty" splitters from Lee (Sharkguard) will work with the PSI (overhead) unit? Seems like the only thing that will work with the PSI unit is the MicroJig (MJ) splitter.

In pix I've seen of the PSI, it seems like any splitter would work. You should email Lee Styron and ask him.

Shawn is pretty much correct as far as I can tell. I position my hood so that the splitter is outside the rear of the guard box. This gets more of the dust but as you say; that is secondary to you.

PSI guard hood 002.jpg

If the hood is positioned so that the splitter fits inside with the blade, you're looking at something like this; this is a 1x2x3" block inside the hood: