Saw Guard installed on RAS, Emerson (sears)

[bogydave]

Got the free saw guard from Emerson.
It came with a new table top, which I really needed. :)
I ripped into the guy who installed the saw & benches. The dumb hillbilly installed the saw but didn't align the table top with the saw prior to building the benches to just fit. I chewed on him all day. :mad:
With shims & time it worked out.
I had to drill a couple of new holes in the main top piece to fit in just right.
They have lots of holes (to fit a variaty of saws I guess) that I plan to plug.
We had a saying at work, "Brand New to be modified in Alaska".
I like it, my wife is happy that the blade is more protected. The only thing I've noticed so far is leaks sawdust out around the rear hold down, even with the DC hose attached & it's hard to hold the guard up when measuring to rip.
Terry Mac, do you have an easy "tip/trick" of a way to hold it up so you can use both hands?
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj269/bogydave/sawguard1.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj269/bogydave/sawguard2.jpg
OLD Guard pic
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj269/bogydave/sawoldguard.jpg
Thanks again to Terry Mac.
I would not have this safer guard with out his posting on this forum.

[Don]

Wow, will it still cut anything?

[Terry Mac]

Hey Dave,

I ran into the same problem. I use baling wire; wrap around handle and pull mechanism and twist. It's not elegant, but it works.

[bogydave]

I'm sure that this forum, with all the world woodworking, jig makin, tool fixin & problem solving done daily, you guys would have to have something better than bailing wire. :) :)
TM, that's what I came up with (kinda, I was going to use #14 bare copper) but I was sure you had a better way or at least a more ellegant way to say "bailing wire".
Now I'm challenged, I'm gona come up with something better than bailing wire.

Yes it still cuts (you just cant watch the cut) and it is harder to see the marks.
The plastic is a magnet to dust. The anti-kickback is better.
It'll take time to get used to it.

Thanks again TM, I really do think it is safer especially with my grandaughter wanting to be in the shop helping.
bailing wire:)

[Terry Mac]

LOL

I gotta say Dave that I love the irony. The new guard is supposed to be better protection when ripping wood; but you can't measure the rip and you might as well paint the plastic shield.

Oh, by the way, I did try rare earth magnets to keep the guard raised. That also worked, but the guard would never stay down.

Let me know what you come with.

[Dagster]

I'm not knocking the guards but I've found that they cause more dangerous situations than they protect against. They usually obstruct my view of the most important area I need to focus on or they catch on the material causing a bad situation etc...

This is just me but I feel much safer without the safety equipment on most woodworking tools/machines.

[bogydave]

I was working for one of the big oil corps. Safety was #1 they said. But get the job done. I think it was a legal thing that if you got hurt & wern't following the 5 thousand safety rules, procedure etc. they blamed the workers. It got to the point you wern't allowed to use your brain. (Just venting)
For cross cutting it's OK & the kick backs are better for ripping but it's my shop & saw so I'm allowed to use common sense.
My wife thinks it's a good thing, grandaughter lives with us & she's always helping me in the shop. It is safer for her to be around.
But Dag, I agree with you for many tools, brand new to be modified to make work but realize when you do you become responsible if you get hurt. (an amazing concept, you are accountable for your actions). Everybody does a risk assesment before you do anything. If you put your finger into the saw blade it will get cut off, Guard or no guard.
Hey, I got a free, new table top & guard out of the deal. I'm not complaining.
I think it was noble of Emerson to send out free upgrades vs closing down & adding to the un-employment stats. (or moving overseas)
Shut up Dave

[Dagster]

I agree totally. Especially when liability comes into play. It's just unfortunate more thought doesn't go into the devices they put on the machines. Mainly they just make them to satisfy legal requirements and liability requirements rather than build a GOOD system. There are some good after market solutions though but me being only responsible for myself... I prefer to go without.

[bogydave]

OK TM here it is:
Saw guard measurement enhancher hook (SGMEH)
The picture may look like I'm using bailing wire, however this is .051, aircraft rated stainless wire. I chose it for the spring back effect, enhanced corrosion resistance & appearance. This part has to be very precisly machined & installed by a trained/experienced pro-fessional. Do not attempt to install this yourself.
These photos are for reference in the discussion only & not to be used to duplicate/copy/modify the SGMEH on other saws or equipment.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj269/bogydave/sgl2.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj269/bogydave/sgl3.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj269/bogydave/sgl1.jpg

Squeeze the lift handle, place the hook , release the lift handle, the hook holds inplace.
When you squeeze the lift handle the hook releases itself.
It is only designed to work in Alaska.
Located to not interfere in any way with the guard itself.
Thankyou

[bogydave]

Forgot to mention, no warrenties, implied or other wise.
Won't corrode though.

[Terry Mac]

That beats the heck outta the way I was doing it.

Good idea Dave.