Contractor Table Saws with riving knives

[Domer]

I went to a woodworking seminar a few weeks ago. The presenter made a big point about safety.

Long story short, I dug out my table saw blade guard and put a splitter on my zero clearance insert.

I have decided to look for a new table saw after the new year. Does anyone know of a contractor's saw with a riving knife other than Saw Stop?

Has anyone had any experience with the contractor's version of the Saw Stop?

Domer

[Don]

Hey, Domer. I deleted your double post thread.

Just about any table saw you buy will come with a blade cover type of guard and "splitter" type of knife. The Saw Stop equipment has the added benefit of instant shut down of the blade - it's impressive to see it work. There are numerous videos online.

The object of splitters is to keep the backside of the blade from being pinched by the material being cut, this can/will tend to lift the material from the table surface and possibly throw it at you. Most splitters come with anti-kickback fingers as well. There are a few aftermarket ones that are usually more beefy than the stock ones.

There's situations that splitters really come into play, namely cutting lumber, the wider the board the more likely it is to have some tension that will pinch the blade. But, usually for cutting panel products, there is less likelihood of pinching. Always keep the blade as low as possible for most instances, sharp tooling is less dangerous than dull, the smaller the piece - the greater the danger. Always control the material being cut with authority.

I very rarely install mine, although I keep it handy. For me, they tend to get in the way of ripping small pieces, etc. I say, have one and know when it's right for you (and your skill level) to use one.

All the best, Don

[AMF]

I use a spliter on my table saw for all ripping. I made a very clearance insert, then extended the slot that was cut farther towards the back of the blade. I then used a piece of steel the same width as the blade and bent it 90 degrees to come up through the insert and act as a spliter. I screwed it down to the bottom of the insert and it works great (after some adjustment). Only problem is on my saw I cant raise the blade more than 1 1/2" or it will contact the steel.

[Domer]

My current table saw has a splitter but what I am looking for is a riving knife. It is sort of like a splitter but is shaped like the blade and moves with the blade. Most saws that come with a riving knife have two versions. One that is attached to the blade guard and anti-kickback paws and one that is lower and can be used for dadoes and other cuts that are not through cuts.

It is my understanding that all new designs for table saws have to have a true riving knife feature.

The Saw Stop contractors saw has the riving knife feature.

My question is if anyone knows how well the Saw Stop Contractors Saw works aside from the blade stop feature and if there are other contractors saws available with riving knives.

Grizzly has one but it doesn't have the other features I want.

Thanks for the help.

Domer