Makita LS1013 - "Kerf Block" Whats that then????

[Graham.mead]

Hi I've just bought a Makita Ls1013 sliding mitre saw. Supplied with it is something called a "Kerf Block" which is semi circular and supposedly screws just behind the fence in the middle, in line with the blade.

The manual is complete gobblydegook on this section, except from where to put it.

Could someone who has got a LS1013 tell me what is this for and when I would use it?

Also worryingly if the blade is pushed right towards the fence it will neatly slice the "Kerf block" in half!!!!

I've tried tinternet to no avail.

Thanks in advance

Graham

[David Lang]

Graham

I would suspect its a splitter or riving knife equivalent. I'd guess it's to stop the cut closing up when its with the grain. A 'kerf' is the width cut by the blade.

I'd imagine its meant to move with the blade.

Or maybe I'm talking complete Jackson Pollocks not having seen it...............

Dave

[Kaiser]

It's to stop the back edge of the cut from splintering if you are doing really fine work. You will need a new kerf block for each different angle. If you need to, use the one supplied for 90 degree cuts only, but it's not really necessary to use it at all.

[Paul Mc Cann]

No its more of a zero clearance insert as used on a table saw to support the material being cut close to the blade. It helps eliminate splintering. Bosch supply a smilar insert for use on their jigsaws

[Graham.mead]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I can see now that its probably to stop splintering and for cutting smaller pieces.

I've not checked but surely to cut thru the piece would still involve slicing into the block, or is it set slightly back from the fence. If it is, I can't see how this would stop splintering.

Graham

[Andy Dingley]

It does. You make a "zero clearance" insert out of it, by cutting it in situ. It supports the edge of the timber right up to the sawblade.

Of course it only works for one blade position.

[bigcat]

I've always used scrap wood with the workpiece for this, it gives a much cleaner edge by stopping the breaking / splintering. I gather from the description that the kerf block would prevent any loss of cutting cpacity that a bit of scrap would produce.

NT