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Thread: Need advice on overhead table saw blade guard

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Central MA
    Posts
    452

    Need advice on overhead table saw blade guard

    Looking to get an overhead blade guard for my Unisaw mostly for the dust collection. Looking at Excalibur or Exactor. Just looking to hear experiences with either of these products (or any other, home made included) and advice on where to best purchase. Thanks in advance!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Placitas, NM in the foothills of the Sandia Mountain.
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    527
    I have the Exactor. I would give it a B+. It helps with the dust a lot, especially on middle of the board rip cuts. When you are cutting a rabbet on an edge or trimming off an edge, it misses a lot. What I really like about it is that it is very easy to move out of the way when not in use (e.g. with a cross cut sled, dado, etc.).

    So I'm not raving about it, but it was worth the $$.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    919
    Jim,

    I was looking for an easily removable splitter with a blade guard that had good dust collection. I didn't want a boom arm. I ended up getting a Shark Guard.
    I like it a lot.

    http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachme...1&d=1168228127

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Central MA
    Posts
    452
    That looks great, Mark. Unfortunately, I have 24' high ceilings and I require a boom arm as well. Thanks for posting!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Central MA
    Posts
    1,584

    Brett Guard

    Hi Jim,

    Have you looked at the Brett guard? It's the only one I've ever used, but I really like the fact that it is very stout and acts as a hold-down unlike some of the others that ride up and over the wood during the cut. I'm right next door (Lunenburg), so feel free to PM me if you'd like to come and give it a hands on.

    John

  6. #6

    exactor

    Agreed with Jesse on the exactor on all counts, absolutely worth the money

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Central MA
    Posts
    452
    Quote Originally Posted by John Lanciani View Post
    Hi Jim,

    Have you looked at the Brett guard? It's the only one I've ever used, but I really like the fact that it is very stout and acts as a hold-down unlike some of the others that ride up and over the wood during the cut. I'm right next door (Lunenburg), so feel free to PM me if you'd like to come and give it a hands on.

    John
    Hi John, Very kind offer, might take you up on that. I'm most interested in dust collection. How does it work for DC?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
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    Blog Entries
    1
    I have the PSI which is not in the class of the Excalibur or Exactor. I am glad to have it and here's my take as it would apply to any overarm:

    pros -
    Dust collection - you need some serious suck to make this a good feature though.
    Safety - clear hood with good visibility and a decent width to allow "wiggle" room on either side of the blade without making contact.
    Swing-away - The unit moves quickly and easily out of the way as required so I am more inclined to put it into position when I should.

    cons -
    DC requirements - You need a lot of suck as mentioned above or chips get away from the airstream.
    Duct size - Mine has only a 2-1/2" hose at the hood, expands to 3" for the boom and 4" at the exit. Wish it was 4" all the way.

    I don't use it on every cut but I do use it almost every time I am using the saw.
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  9. #9
    A friend of mine has this one. I'm gonna buy it, too and build a boom:

    http://www.pennstateind.com/store/tsguard-dh.html
    Stephen Edwards
    Hilham, TN 38568

    "Build for the joy of it!"

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Central MA
    Posts
    1,584

    Dust Collection

    Jim,

    The brett guard has a 2" port in it, which I find to be more than adequate since there is not much open space around the guard. I actually sometimes have a problem with too much suction, it will pick up small cutoffs from time to time.

    The door is always open...

    John

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Toronto Ontario
    Posts
    11,247
    Hi, I have an Excalibur on a General 650 and like the guard very much.

    The dust collection is excellent when cutting sheet goods, or any material which is as large as the footprint of the guard.

    It's great to be sawing melamine and have a clean shop, and clean apron, as opposed to an apron pocket full of dust.

    I also have the Merlin removable splitter on the saw.

    Regards, Rod.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Atlanta , Ga.
    Posts
    3,970
    I built my own but would suggest the Shark Guard by Lee S. Excellent quality and works like a charm...

    Sarge...

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Kanasas City, MO
    Posts
    1,787
    Another vote cast for the Shark, I have version 8. Nicely made, not ridiculously priced and the newer ones have 4" DC openings.
    Rumor is there's a new one in the works as well, version 9.0 IIRC.
    Lee says he's got his shop tooled up to cut down lead time as well, he's as good to deal with as any.

    Cheers.
    Greg

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,678
    I was very pleased with the Excalibur that I had on the cabinet saw I used to have in the shop. Worked very well and was easy to remove when the need occured.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Southern MD
    Posts
    1,932
    When I get around to it, I'm going to sell my older Excalibur and get a Shark guard.
    Jay St. Peter

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