BT3 aftermarket spliter/bladeguard options

[poolhound]

I am getting really #&^%#^& off that everytime I need to do a non through cut I have to take off the dang spliter/riving knife. BTW what is the difference, is it just that one moves up and down with the blade and the other doesnt?

Anyway while changing blades on the BT3 is pretty easy removing the guard/splitter assy is a royal PITA!! I really dont want to go the route of removing them completley, so what are my options.

Are you all going to simply shout at me GET A SHARK GUARD!!!

I have never seen one in the flesh, if it fits to the same mounting point as the OEM one wont it have the same issue? I belive the guard is removeable while leaving the knife in place. I may be answering my own question but is it simply that the knife is set at the exact same height as the blade therefore you can make a non through cut with it in place?

What about stopped cuts or is there really no solution here but to remove any form of knife/guard?

All options suggestions welcome including JUST GET A SHARK GUARD!!

Jon

[cbrown]

Get a Shark Guard! The riving knife supplied with it mounts in the same place as the stock RK but is adjusted so that it is at or slightly below the top of the blade and the polycarbonate guard can be easily removed for non-through cuts without removing the riving knife.

A recent discussion here points out the importance of periodically tightening the bolts holding the riving knife in place to avoid surprises.

I believe a riving knife by definition both moves up and down and bevels with the blade adjustment, whereas a splitter is fixed in at least one of these axes.

Chris

[Otter]

I am getting really #&^%#^& off that everytime I need to do a non through cut I have to take off the dang spliter/riving knife. BTW what is the difference, is it just that one moves up and down with the blade and the other doesnt?

Anyway while changing blades on the BT3 is pretty easy removing the guard/splitter assy is a royal PITA!! I really dont want to go the route of removing them completley, so what are my options.

Are you all going to simply shout at me GET A SHARK GUARD!!!

I have never seen one in the flesh, if it fits to the same mounting point as the OEM one wont it have the same issue? I belive the guard is removeable while leaving the knife in place. I may be answering my own question but is it simply that the knife is set at the exact same height as the blade therefore you can make a non through cut with it in place?

What about stopped cuts or is there really no solution here but to remove any form of knife/guard?

All options suggestions welcome including JUST GET A SHARK GUARD!!

Jon

Jon

I will give you my SG4.0 you pay for shipping....PM me

Jon

[Slik Geek]

Are you all going to simply shout at me GET A SHARK GUARD!!!

That was my initial thought. I never used the BT3K guard - but use the Shark Guard whenever possible.

In the even I'm doing something where I have to remove both the guard (really convenient) and the riving knife (not so convenient), I've improved that process by using a Craftsman ratchet box wrench. (I purchased it specifically for this purpose and store it next to the saw).

To address the "avoiding surprises" concern posted by cbrown, I installed nylon-based lock nuts.

[poolhound]

Otter,

Thanks for the offer - PM sent

[pelligrini]

Has anyone used the splitters that are made by the company that does the Gripper on a BT3?

[LCHIEN]

get a shark guard, solves all your problems you describe including the non-thru cuts.

[pecker]

In the olden days, some of us, including the shark guard guy, made shortened splitters. Just trace the pattern of the original onto some sheet aluminum of the appropriate thickness. Cut it with a jigsaw, and file or sand the rough edges. Just don't make it any taller than your blade.

[LCHIEN]

In the olden days, some of us, including the shark guard guy, made shortened splitters. Just trace the pattern of the original onto some sheet aluminum of the appropriate thickness. Cut it with a jigsaw, and file or sand the rough edges. Just don't make it any taller than your blade.

you can make it exactly 1.00 inches shorter. Then you have a riving knife but no blade guard.
Or you can buy a shark guard. THe shark guard has a clever clamp that attaches to the short riving knife, that allows very fast easy removal; the only thing is that the clamp sits beihind the blade but clamps to the top 1/2" or so of the knife, requires you to run your blade tips about a 1/2" over the top of the wood, no biggie.

[mpauly]

Jon

I will give you my SG4.0 you pay for shipping....PM me

Jon

Anyone else have a SG they want to give away for the price of shipping? If so, I'm all over it....heck, I'll even barter for one. Anyone want a nice pen?

Michael