Screwing down thoat plate. Thoughts?

[Hoakie]

After watching several vids of other WW'ers and various saws, I have noticed a lot of them use ZCTP's that are not attached like the BT3x. So my question is... Is it alright/safe to leave the screws out, or are the others designed (oval shape and thickness) to do this?

Thanks in advance

[RodKirby]

On my Darkside saw the ZCTP (bought as a "blank") has a center pin at the rear which hooks under the rear edge of the throat plate recess - that's the only thing which holds it down!

Which makes sense - you don't want the "upcoming" saw teeth at the rear to lift the throat plate. The "downgoing" teeth at the front are not a problem.

The ZCTP is MUCH thicker/heavier than the BT3x throat plates and is made of phenolic and the saw table recess provides excellent support all around.

The 3 (of 4), small holes you can see have grub screws for levelling the plate. The large hole is so you can lift it out.




The OEM (metal) plate DOES have a single screw at the front - still with a center pin at the back.

[Hoakie]

Thanks Rod, I figured there was something else to hold it down, just was checking.