Do you use ts blade guard?

[everett lowell]

I was wondering how many of you guys use tablesaw blade guards on a regular basis?I used to have a small tabletop saw and abuot four years ago got a 10'' contracters saw,and never took the blade guard out of the bag! Am i being foolish? Im so used to working without a guard or splitter i hate the thought of putting them on.

[Dick Parr]

I have removed the guard with the intent of adding an overarm guard that hasn't happened yet. But the first thing I did after removing the guard was to add a splitter with kick-back cawls. Unless I am using a sled, the splitter is on.

[Gord Graff]

Hello Everett,

The guard I can generally live without, proper blade height when cutting wood usually restricts the amount of exposed blade that can get you into trouble. I will say this, since using the Excalibur blade guard I find it somewhat more comforting knowing that the blade is covered.

I won’t do without a splitter though, no doubt the best safety device used on a table saw today except for the grey matter between one’s ears.

All the best
Gord

[Jim Becker]

My setup is similar to Gord's with an Excalibur overarm guard that I use when I'm comfortable with the setups, etc. While I like the safety aspects, frankly, the dust collection is more important to me. There is a lot of material that comes off the top of the blade on through cuts and that's where these guards shine. But like Gord, I never work without my splitter (a Biesemeyer in my case) unless the type of cut does not allow it. I would prefer a riving knife over the static splitter for a number of reasons, but one cannot retrofit a US-style saw for such an animal and the Euro sliding saw I was planning on is much farther in the future for reasons I cannot go into presently. (Purely some economic decisions relative to priorities)

Sadly, the splitter/guard that comes with most US-style table saws is too hard to take off and on (non-through cuts require it's removal) so most folks just never put them back on after the first removal. Ease of use really counts a lot when it comes to things like this...

[Stefan Antwarg]

When I first bought my table saw, I installed the guard. Used it for a few weeks. Took it off and on several times for dados. Then just left it off. So no, I do not use a guard.

Stefan

[Mark Singer]

No ,,I never have . Just Board Buddies and being careful

[Gord Graff]

Hi Jim,

I would argue the point that splitters are not that time consuming to put on or take off. I have over the years made several splitters for my saw and in each case the splitter takes only seconds to install or remove. If some out there are not happy with their stock splitters, make one that suits you.

With all due respect Mark, “being careful” don’t cut it in my book. Last year I was ripping a piece of 4/4, ¼ sawn white oak with a moisture content of 7% and the saw kerf closed right behind the blade while ripping just before the splitter could engage the piece………………….scared the crap out of me. Lucky for me the saw I was using was a 5hp Unisaw and I was able to force the piece to engage the splitter.

All the best
Gord

[Lloyd Robins]

I have a Beismeyer splitter, and it works well. I also reviewed some old Badger Pond files and built (had built) an overhead unit. The ones that I saw had some pretty heavy duty blade covers, but I just have one that keeps my fingers away from the blade and allows for some dust collection. It cost about $100 and $80 of that was for a welder. If you weld you can cut the cost way down.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Yep, I always use the splitter and guard on any cut that I can. I value my fingers.

[everett lowell]

Thanks for all the input guys!I did forget to mention that i very often lower the blade under the table and slide on a plywood table that I made to fit my saw to use as an assembly table as im working.I will consider putting pn the splitter at least if it comes on and off pretty easy.Thnsks again guys,im so glade i found this site,what a great place to get info on the hobby i love so much.

[Byron Trantham]

I use the Beismeyer splitter and I love it. I tossed the blade guard that came with my Unisaw because I felt it was more dangerous than not using it.

[Dave Wright #2]

The first time I took the guard off my Delta Contractors Saw it stayed off for good. The unmount/remount cycle on that saw took about 5 minutes. I don't think woodworkers have an ingrained aversion to using guards. They just don't like using guards that are flimsy, awkward, and inconvenient. OEM guards aren't designed to protect the operator; they are carefully designed to be cheap to manufacture and do an excellent job of protecting the company that is thousands of miles away. These guards do their job best when they are off your saw.

Sell a saw with good guards and they will get used. The guards on my SawStop are used every time I cut with the saw. The riving knife doesn't interfere with any cuts, so it's there regardless. The regular guard is pleasant to work with and you can can switch from the riving knife to it in literally seconds. If your saw didn't come with good guards then you should look into aftermarket options.

[Jerry Olexa]

I'm not proud to tell you I never use one. I installed it when I got my Delta Contractor saw new 9 years ago and it was OK. First time I did Dados, I hated the time to remove etc. So, know I'm wrong but have never used since. In 2005 I plan to upgrade other safety devices for the TS. Haven't decided what yet. I also use a crosscut sled a lot so another factor, GUILTY as charged, Got to do better in 2005!

[Tyler Howell]

Ordered the Excalibur after reading a thread like this on another forum little over a year ago. With it they started on all the old war injuries and color pictures . Don't have to hit me with a 2x4.
I have the Bies splitter on the PM.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachme...chmentid=13783

[Mark Singer]

What if I want to hit you with a 2x4 as kind of a love tap?...Happy New Year...Tap!

Ordered the Excalibur after reading a thread like this on another forum little over a year ago. With it they started on all the old war injuries and color pictures . Don't have to hit me with a 2x4.
I have the Bies splitter on the PM.