Do you use the guard/splitter on your TS

Who uses them and who doesn't?

I voted 'sometimes'. I'd be stricter, but sometimes, especially for very accurate work, it gets in the way, even though I could do the cut with it in place. I try always to go slowly and carefully. I had an incident with a pushtick once, which probably wouldn't have happened if the guard was there (I forget what I was doing at the time). I haven't had a kickback yet.

I don't have a guard but as I said in another post I would likely remove it anyway because that is what I am used to. Please don't think I am trying to make a statement or be a "rebel" nor am I encouraging people to follow my lead.

For those who can/do use them all the time good for you!

Thanks for the replies

Scott

I dont use the splitter or gaurd as they get in the way of the power feeder

I use the splitter almost always and the guard mostly.

However, I'm going to get a set of Grr-rippers when I can afford it which means the guard can't be used.

I've had kickback. It's a sobering experience.

I only have a second hand triton mk3 that came without the guard. I use the riving knife for ripping, stand to the side and use push sticks. sharp teeth travelling at over 130mph (235mm saw) makes me feel jumpy when I think about it.

I'm very concerned about safety and want to cut peoples fingers off for being unsafe around my princes and princess. (Particularly drivers)
But I don't get paid enough to be really safe.

My riving knife is never removed, I've never seen the need to. The gaurd stays on about 99.99% of the time. I don't have a problem using the saw with them in place. I don't have a problem using a 7" power saw one handed while hanging out off the side of a building either, but I'll do any job the safest way available.

Mick

i voted "always" because there wasnt an option for "almost always". if i just have one or two quick cuts sometimes i dont set up the overhead guard. sometimes a cut might be made more complicated by having the guard fitted, particularly on the bevel ripping guide (triton) so i have to sacrifice one aspect of safety to make another part of the operation safer or more accurate.

Generally though, i make full use of guards, fences, pressure fingers and pushsticks.

Well, I use a Triton 2000, but with Dad's old saw which is a bit on the small side. This means that sometimes I have to do a cut from top and bottom - I usually forget to take the knife off until it all comes to a stop on the first cut. Apart from that, it's always there. I can't see the point in taking off safety gear - it never saved anything when sitting on the bench. However, if I've got a good reason for not using it, I won't hesitate.

Richard

Depends on the job. On-site I rarely use either, as much of the work is cutting channels and bevels on the Triton. Pity it won't take a dado cutter. [sigh] I always fit the riving knife when ripping, and a set of homemade f/boards, although I gotta admit I rarely fit the guard. Doug has the right of that, it gets in the way and makes things awkward. Awkwardness increases danger, even with safety gear.

At home, 'tis a different matter. Then it's appropriate gear at all times. Funny, that.

I aways use the guard/splitter on the Triton compact, unless itss not possible to make the cut with it attached.

The sight of the unprotected blade makes me very uncomfortable.:eek::eek:

In the final stages of building a tenon jig, I was giving it a test run today - now my first priority is to build a guard!!

John

Have never used either, had a couple of kick-backs but nothing the hold-downs & push stick couldn't handle.

I believe, like Major, that, with appropriate accessories in the way of push-sticks, feather-boards, etc, that guards and riving knives are unnecessary, and may at times make a cut more dangerous than it would be without them.

This topic can produce strong emotions. I remember getting into a heated dispute with kenmil about it about 18 months ago. I do not intend to repeat the experience. I certainly wouldn't want to persuade anyone who feels safer using a guard and riving knife from continuing to do so. I personally feel safer without them.

I watch the kerf beyond the blade. If it starts to close, I stop the saw, and insert a wedge to keep it open, and then restart the saw, taking great care to ensure that the board is properly held down whilst I do so.

Rocker

I'm with Major and Rocker, but far from a pro. Well i bought my 12" table saw as a second handy and it didnt have a splitter or guard, and had never really seen a TS before, let alone used one, other than what i had seen and learned watching Norm on The New Yanky Workshop. I can see the fores for such devices, but also see the trouble they can cause on some cuts, for me i can see then being in the way lots of times when i am using my various push sticks etc. And like Rocker said, if you are using the right guides and feather boards etc when you HAVE to, then there should be no chance of danger to yourself.

Hardly ever fit the splitter/guard on my saw. Only when doing a lot of ripping. I fitted a splitter made from a drill bit to one of my inserts so when I want to rip, I just put that one on.