Smitty
JAN/FEB
2002
Volume 45/Issue 1
IN THIS ISSUE
Project
Articles
•
9-Drawer Workshop Toolbox
• Child's Desk and Chairs
• Candle Sconce and Desktop Pencil Holder
DEPARTMENTS
•
Ask Smitty
• Owner’s Gallery
• Letters from Owners
Academy Notes
Finishing
Touches - Pt.3 Applying a Natural Finish
Service Pointers
Speed
Changer
Safety Tips
Safety
Is
Your Decision
What's New
The
Standard Anniversary Model Shopsmith MARK V
EDUCATION
• Find
A Shopsmith Woodworking Academy Near You
• National
Woodworking Academy in Dayton, OH
ONLINE
CATALOGS
• Online Accessory Catalog
• Request
Printed Accessory Catalog
• Online
Replacement Parts Catalog
MARK
V INFORMATION
• Find
A Shopsmith
MARK V Demo Near You
• Request MARK
V Information Package
LINKS
•
Links Worth Visiting
•
Free Woodworking Tips
FEEDBACK
Contacting
Shopsmith
Copyright
2002.
Shopsmith, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ASK
SMITTY!
Here
are the questions . . .
and SMITTY’S answers for this issue!
Cutting
thin strips on a table saw
Question via e-mail:
I want to cut thin strips on the table saw, 3/32" to 5/8", I was told to
use a splitter. Can you tell what a splitter is and how to install it?
On a table saw, a splitter is also referred to as a "Riving Knife". With most table saws (MARK V included) the splitter or riving knife is the piece of sheet metal that sticks-up from under the table and supports the upper saw guard. This metal piece is typically about 1/16" to 3/32" thick and in addition to supporting the guard, also serves to keep the saw kerf from closing-up on your blade.
With a hand-held circular saw, there is no such device and your kerf could close-up on you, causing your blade to bind. In this case, you could use a product made by the Jorgensen Clamp folks called a "Kerf-Keeper". With this clamp-like device, you start your cut until it's projecting about a foot behind the back side (exit end) of your circular saw. Turn off the saw and unplug it. Insert the Kerf-Keeper into the kerf and tighten-down the clamp to hold the kerf open while you make the remainder of your cut.
A piece of advice about shaving off thin strips on the table saw. I would advise you to NEVER set your rip fence to make a cut that's less than 1/4" from your blade. WHY? Because it's too difficult to get a push stick into such a narrow opening without the potential of it or your workpiece grabbing and causing a hazardous situation.
As much of a pain as it might be, you should ALWAYS have your wider workpiece running between the blade and your fence (the piece you're shaving the 1/32" wide piece off of)...and you should ALWAYS use a push stick or block to push this wider piece through the cut.
You'll have to take the additional time to re-set your fence for each cut....but when you get through with the job, you'll still have all of your fingers and be otherwise injury-free.
