Lever release ZCI for Sawstop ICS

[johnny means]

Tired of having to locate a tool to access my tool free riving knife, I figured out how to make the PCS insert fit the ICS. I used a file to enlarge the spacing of the clamping portion of the lever lock. Pretty straight forward operation, simply grind about ³/₃₂ off of the locking mechanism. I snuck up on the exact fit so as to avoid a sloppy fit.

[Paul Ryan]

The tool less insert is one of the really nice features of the PCS saw. Just the extra seconds it took to take the screw out of the insert always made me dread changing blades. For some reason with this new insert it seems to take so much less time, so I don't mind changing blades so much. I still hate dialing in dado widths though.

[Mike Heidrick]

Tired of having to locate a tool to access my tool free riving knife, I figured out how to make the PCS insert fit the ICS. I used a file to enlarge the spacing of the clamping portion of the lever lock. Pretty straight forward operation, simply grind about ³/₃₂ off of the locking mechanism. I snuck up on the exact fit so as to avoid a sloppy fit.

This is grinding done on the zero clearence insert?

I have not seen the PCS insert.

Do you have more pictures to better illustrate what you did?

[Steve Gass]

For what it is worth, we've got a revised version of the ZCI with the toolless removal coming out soon (say a month or two) which will work on all of the different saws. It flexible legs where you ground clearance to accommodate the variations in cast iron thickness. This new ZCI will be required for the new dust collection shroud for the ICS that will upgrade the interal dust collection efficiency to match the PCS. You'll also need the new insert to utilize the guard from the PCS - the anti-kickback pawls on the new guard rest a little farther away from the spreader and won't correctly contact the steel wear plates on the original insert.

Steve Gass
President, SawStop, LLC

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Sweet! I'll buy one. I'm tired of finding that allen wrench too.

Street price and stock number?

[Michael Schapansky]

I'm looking forward to this too. Thanks for thinking of us ICS owners!

[Steve Gass]

The tool-free insert is $39 (dado and regular) and the part numbers are TSI-SLD (standard) and TSI-DLD (dado). The difference between the two is that the dado does not have a notch at the back to clear the spreader and wear plates for the anti-kickback pawls to ride on.

Steve

[Michael MacDonald]

I will be all over that too. I gouged mine up a bit with the pawls when I angling the blade... a learning experience. So I want to replace it anyway.

On a separate note, I have found that it is tough to get mine perfectly level with the table top throughout the insert... The problem is either (1) it is warped or (2) operator error or (3) my standards are unreasonable. Do the other SS owners reading this thread give up on ZCI "levelness" perfection? Am I spinning my wheels?

[Christopher Dopp]

Steve,

I heard from a support tech on a call that SawStop is going to start selling a connection between the 4inch dust port on the PCS and the smaller port on the blade guard. Do you have any idea when this will be available or any additional details you can share?

I continue to be very impressed with both the PCS saw and the support from your company.

Thanks,

Christopher

[Paul Ryan]

I will be all over that too. I gouged mine up a bit with the pawls when I angling the blade... a learning experience. So I want to replace it anyway.

On a separate note, I have found that it is tough to get mine perfectly level with the table top throughout the insert... The problem is either (1) it is warped or (2) operator error or (3) my standards are unreasonable. Do the other SS owners reading this thread give up on ZCI "levelness" perfection? Am I spinning my wheels?

Michael,

What saw do you have. If it is a PCS saw, I had that same problem with my ZCI. My saw is an early build field test PCS saw. Call SS tech support there are methods that they can walk you through on what to do to get the insert to level.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

On a separate note, I have found that it is tough to get mine perfectly level with the table top throughout the insert... The problem is either (1) it is warped or (2) operator error or (3) my standards are unreasonable. Do the other SS owners reading this thread give up on ZCI "levelness" perfection? Am I spinning my wheels?

Same here..... Can't get mine level. Too low. Adjustment screws won't bring mine high enough. MOST times this is petty, but I did a lot of small cuts on some planned segmented parts. All very small and short. Slightly annoying.

[Bob Falk]

For what it is worth, we've got a revised version of the ZCI with the toolless removal coming out soon (say a month or two) which will work on all of the different saws. It flexible legs where you ground clearance to accommodate the variations in cast iron thickness. This new ZCI will be required for the new dust collection shroud for the ICS that will upgrade the interal dust collection efficiency to match the PCS. You'll also need the new insert to utilize the guard from the PCS - the anti-kickback pawls on the new guard rest a little farther away from the spreader and won't correctly contact the steel wear plates on the original insert.

Steve Gass
President, SawStop, LLC

I just bought a used ICS and am looking forward to the upgraded dust collection and tool free ZCI...kudos to Mr. Gass for monitoring our site and working to keep such upgrades compatible with ALL Sawstops. America needs more CEO's like Mr. Gass!

[JohnT Fitzgerald]

America needs more CEO's like Mr. Gass!

Let's see...I've seen the CEO of SS here....the CEO of Grizzly....I seem to recall someone 'significant' from Woodpeckers here too....any other companies leveraging the wealth of knowledge on SMC?

[michael case]

Thank SS. I hate dealing with that little Allen wrench.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Let's see...I've seen the CEO of SS here....the CEO of Grizzly....I seem to recall someone 'significant' from Woodpeckers here too....any other companies leveraging the wealth of knowledge on SMC?

I beleive the CEO of Shopsmith and the US rep for Tormek also frequently answer questions here....