Just finished setting up my new Delta X5 10" Table Saw with 30" Commercial Biesemeyer Fence. (Mine is one of the last of the American Made Deltas). Impressed with saw except for guard and splitter. Hate to operate without the guard, so any suggestions to improve or replace would be welcome. I know Biesemeyer offers one, but I can not afford $400.00 for a blade guard.
So what do you experienced guys do about this guard thing.
Not trying to start a safety firestorm, just need some realistic advice as to how I can use my new saw.
I got rid of the guard after using my Unisaw a couple of times. I usually use the splitter, but I'm not really into TS blade guards. Many pros use neither.
"Steve DeMars" wrote in news:9Olve.68959$gc6.67660@okepread04:
It's a valid question, one you have to answer for yourself.
Delta sells an overarm guard, Delta 34-976 Deluxe Uniguard Blade Guard, which is functionally similar the Bies guard. It is the least intrusive guard _that I have used_ (I'm a serious hobbyist), but it's still $275 or so.
My choice, not my recommendation for you, is the quickly splitter splitter that is available as a part from Delta, sold with the Uniguard system. About $32, it's what I use, religiously, when a splitter doesn't interfere with the desired operation.
A hobbyist can make choices that a pro shop isn't allowed. I don't have deadlines, customers or employees for my woodwork. If I'm tired or distracted, I shut off the tools and sweep up. Or leave the sweeping until later.
Good job on the saw. Enjoy your purchase for a long time. Use it safely, whatever that means to you.
I feel you pain.... But to be truthful I have never seen a "stock" guard on ANY Table saw that I could live with... I have been using a Excalibur overhead guard on my Saw for over 10 years and to be very honest I like it.... moves left/right/up/down in less then a second....Ran it mounted normally for years before I did away with the floor mount and just suspended it fromt he ceiling...
One of the current mags (Amer.Woodworker) ??? This months issure anyway has a short blurb on a overhead home made guard...I really did not pay much attention to it but the thing looked pretty close to my old style model excalibur (which does not look much like the current excalibur)....
I use a home made splitters...mounted in my zero clear. inserts...
Very few guards, IMHO, are safe. Riving knives make sense, if installed properly on a proper mechanism.
I know how mean and nasty a saw blade is, that's why I like to keep an eye on that thing. I always have something between me and the blade, like a properly designed push-stick which also allows pressure downward on the piece.
If I HAD to install a guard, the Excalibur would be my choice, but that one also obstructs the view of the blade.
The only time I have been witness to a close call, was when a saw operator was jiggling a guard whilst cutting a piece of oak edging, because the piece was jamming between the guard and the fence, binding the whole lot up and kicking back the oak. The operator knew enough not to stand in the line of fire and the piece shot like an arrow and ricocheted through the shop.
All the usual caveats apply here as I do NOT suggest you run a table saw without a guard. Do NOT try this at home.
The ultimate safety methods include awareness, caution, sobriety, being relaxed, taking your time, focus, focus, and more focus.
Distraction, complacency, poor lighting, short-cuts and being pissed/hammered out of your skull are the big no-no's. ( I'm not sure how a gagger of hydroponics fits into this.)
I Got rid of the stock guard as soon as I got my Unisaw...2001....bought a Delta Uniguard and splitter...works a lot better. Wish it had a dust collector on it though. Other that that, its saved my fingers a couple times....cutting small pieces, be carefull.....
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