Tablesaw Throat Insert - What's it made of?

[Tony Haukap]

I have had this Delta dado insert for a number of years...

I have used it numerous times over the years and just assumed it was an MDF core with laminate on both sides. But, now in looking at it closer I don't think it is MDF.

_

It appears to be some sort of wood although it's heavy for it's size.

I was going to use it as a pattern to make a zero-clearance insert or two out of MDF sandwiched by plastic laminate, but now I wonder if there's something better to use for the core?

[Cary Falk]

Looks like Phenolic.

[Rich Engelhardt]

+1 for phenolic.

Matter of fact, it looks a lot like a Leecraft.

http://www.leecraftzeroclearance.com/

Did you by chance pick it up at Woodcraft? That's where I got one for my Ridgid TS.

[Tony Haukap]

+1 for phenolic. Matter of fact, it looks a lot like a Leecraft.

Phenolic? I don't think I've ever seen that before... I'm going to have to look around for a source for it.

No. It's a Delta brand insert. I bought it when I got the saw. Now I'm wishing I would have bought a few of the zero-clearance ones, because, except for Woodcraft (which really isn't convenient for me) no one around here sells these inserts.

Why I'm thinking about it... why does Delta's 36-862 Zero Clearance insert have two slots in it?

[Cary Falk]

Reveseable maybe. Spin it end for ens and have a fresh area to cut through. Fyi Rockler sells a set of 2 phenolic blsnks so you can make your own.

[lowell holmes]

I make my own inserts using oak. You just plane the wood to the proper thickness and then use the insert that came on your saw for a pattern.

Lower the blade all the way down. Initially, you may have to use a smaller diameter blade.

Insert the new insert in the saw, move the fence so that it will hold the insert in place (careful to not be over the blade), turn the saw on, gently crank the blade up to cut the slot.

I also put an oak splitter behind the blade slot.

It is easy to make inserts for 45 degree miter cuts.

[Joe O'Connor]

I used 1/2 inch Baltic birch ply and made ten while I had the set up.

[Dave Zellers]

Exactly what I did. They work great. Put a set screw in each corner for leveling.

[Jak Kelly]

Or MDF, nice flat area, easy to apply adjustment screws to or add magnets.

[Todd Burch]

Delta inserts have a pin at one end, so I don't think the two slots are to make it reversible.

[Steve Wurster]

Why I'm thinking about it... why does Delta's 36-862 Zero Clearance insert have two slots in it?

Apparently it's so the insert can be used on left-tilt or right-tilt machines. See http://www.deltamachinery.com/faq/38...t-have-2-slots

[Michael Liechty]

I have some scrap Corian I make inserts out of . seems to work well enough.

ML

[Mort Stevens]

Apparently it's so the insert can be used on left-tilt or right-tilt machines. [/url]

Straight from the horses mouth! But why are the slots unequal in length?

[David Eisenhauer]

Some things are not meant to be known by mere mortals - you must drop this unhealthy obsession to understand the nature of the extra slot in the insert and go back to your shop and create your own inserts without purchasing them pre-made. Now, before it is too late and the madness takes you beyond retrieval.

[scott spencer]

Or MDF, nice flat area, easy to apply adjustment screws to or add magnets.

I'd want to make sure that the MDF was pretty thick....an insert that flexes leaves a lousy cut.