Do You Use Your Blade Guard

[DonHo]

I voted yes because I do use a bladeguard but not the stock guard that came with the saw, I use a sharkguard.

DonHo

[Black wallnut]

I voted yes because I do use a bladeguard but not the stock guard that came with the saw, I use a sharkguard.

DonHo

Ditto. Best $100 I ever spent! Lee even sold me the color I wanted!

[ejs1097]

I always use it except for non-through cuts. Started that practice 5 years again when i started visiting this site. best decision i've made.

I was building a pinewood derby track this past weekend at someone else's house, he has no knife, cover, pawls on his saw. How he didn't loose a finger or 2 I have no idea.

[Sawatzky]

When I bought the BT3100 I used only a cut down riving knife because the guard was always in the way. I now have a Ridgid TS3650 and don't use any guards at all. I guess I am just risky but I get great cuts and have never had a kickback problem.

[tropicaffair]

Add one more satisfied SharkGuard user.

[Bruce Cohen]

I use the Shark most of the time.

I ALWAYS use the Shark splitter.

Bruce

[pelligrini]

I always use the Shark knife, but I don't use the guard all that often. I would probably use it more once I get a dust collector. I don't think I ever even used the stock guard of my 21829 even once.

When ripping I usually use a pair of Grippers.

[John Hunter]

No but I use a shark riving knife.

Ditto! Same here.

[drumpriest]

When I had a 3100 I used a shark setup, was nice. Now I have a PM2000, and I use the splitter for stuff under about 3" wide, and the guard for wider stuff. I want to get the PM2000 shark, as then I won't need to remove the RK when using my crosscut sled.

The reason for removing the guard under 3" is that it gives me ample room then for my push sticks. With the guard in place it gets difficult in that small space.

On the very rare occasion that I break out my dado blade, I obviously don't have the RK or guard in place.

[Armini]

I use the Shark most of the time.

I ALWAYS use the Shark splitter.

Bruce

Exactly my usage - I always used the stock one, but it is so much less of a pain to do so with the Shark Guard.

[SARGE..g-47]

When I had a 3100 I used a shark setup, was nice. Now I have a PM2000, and I use the splitter for stuff under about 3" wide, and the guard for wider stuff. I want to get the PM2000 shark, as then I won't need to remove the RK when using my crosscut sled.

The reason for removing the guard under 3" is that it gives me ample room then for my push sticks. With the guard in place it gets difficult in that small space.

On the very rare occasion that I break out my dado blade, I obviously don't have the RK or guard in place.

Have you considered making a push stick that has a normal size handle but a 1/4" blade? Just a thought as I rip down to 5/16" with the shield in place and my crown guard on also...

[jackellis]

I have two saws and use both the guard and the splitter/riving knife on both except when using a dado blade. Can't imagine not using the safety devices - that spinning blade is quite scary.

[BigguyZ]

I have an old Craftsman contractor's saw. The splitter assembly and guard aren't exactly convenient to use- especially if you need to do a bevel cut. So no- I don't use a guard at the moment. Now if I had a newer caw that had a setup that was easy to remove/ replace, I'd most likely reconsider.

[os1kne]

I answered NO, but I actually use my SharkGuard 50+% of the time. I feel a bit guilty that I don't use it as much as possible, I tend to remove the SG for an occasional odd-ball cut, and then keep it off for a while (when I should remount the SG asap). I always use my Shark riving knife.

[cwithboat]

Shark with cover, almost always.