SS Shaft Guard, Anyone use it?

doug45601 · Post by **doug45601** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:16 pm

The Shaft Guard attaches over the "spinning" shaft where you attach accessories. Manual says it can be mounted directly to the headstock and won't interfere with accessories conections and operations.

From the picture and from what I read in the Shop Tips "manual section" it appears to be a really neat safety item.

Working with long stock while sawing on the table saw setup, I have often reached around the headstock to support and pull through my work. Doing this puts your left side very close to the spinning shaft and I have wondered if anyone ever got their clothing caught in the saft..

I have one on order from SS (back ordered of course) and just wondered if I'm wasting my time and money.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:15 pm

I would like to say you are NOT wasting your money but that might be hippocritical as I do not have one. It does seem like a good safety device and I have also felt that shaft from time to time.

I tend to work in short sleeves and slip over shirts and I do not wear an apron and I wear NO jewelry.

reible · Post by **reible** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:29 pm

Have to go with Dusty on this one. It sounds good but I don't own one either.

I think in past discussions we found out this was added because of the market in England where it was required. Don't know if they market there any more and it would have to meet EU requirements now, and who knows what that means.

Like Dusty I don't wear jewelry and like Dusty I do sometimes color my thumb nail... I think they call that color pain blue. See photo in other post...

Ed

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:58 pm

reible wrote:Like Dusty I don't wear jewelry and like Dusty I do sometimes color my thumb nail... I think they call that color pain blue. See photo in other post...

Ed

OH Ed, I thought maybe Dusty was going GOTH on us.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:12 pm

reible wrote:
Like Dusty I don't wear jewelry and like Dusty I do sometimes color my thumb nail... I think they call that color pain blue. See photo in other post...

Ed

You know, I have no idea what caused that but I think I'm going to lose the nail anyhow.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:10 pm

Hi,

My '07 510 has the shaft guard and it does make a difference in avoiding accidental close calls. No problems running the jointer or bandsaw with it still in place. But I do have to take it off if I put a sanding disk or drum on that side.

P.S. I think it modernizes the machine's appearance too. The Type C headstock and that guard really look slick. Occasionally I ponder dressing up my older machine to look more like that...

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:27 pm

I must say that I have occasionally touched the rotating axillary shaft with my hand. (even just today!) That said- It has never made me feel good, but at the same time no damage has occurred. If I had long hair, or loose shirt sleeves that could get wrapped up it would be a different story.

So far my running into the spinning hub has only caused a buzz - not even a bruise. Yes, a cover would probably be more safe. Anything spinning could quickly wrap up anything that is loose.

doug45601 · Post by **doug45601** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:49 pm

nuhobby wrote:Hi,

My '07 510 has the shaft guard and it does make a difference in avoiding accidental close calls. No problems running the jointer or bandsaw with it still in place. But I do have to take it off if I put a sanding disk or drum on that side.

P.S. I think it modernizes the machine's appearance too. The Type C headstock and that guard really look slick. Occasionally I ponder dressing up my older machine to look more like that...

So if you are using your sanding drum on the left side of the head stock, Don't Forget To Take It Off before returning to using the table saw! That abrasive drum can be even more dangerous then the shaft!

Come to think of it... my belt sander has a protective cover over the shaft as well as the PowerStation has a cover over the shaft... I think I like my shaft to be fully covered for my safety!!!! I'm going to cover my shaft so my shirt won't get tangled around it.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:31 am

doug45601 wrote:...Come to think of it... my belt sander has a protective cover over the shaft as well as the PowerStation has a cover over the shaft... I think I like my shaft to be fully covered for my safety!!!! I'm going to cover my shaft so my shirt won't get tangled around it.

You're right on!! The spindle on the outside of the belt sander has that protective metal cover. Easy to take off with a light tap and easy to re-install.

If you wear an unbuttoned shirt with tails out and no apron - wow! that would be a risky thing. Aprons are good things for more than keeping my wife from calling attention and dismay re: my saw-dusty clothes.

john · Post by **john** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:57 pm

I'm with Chuck on this one. I have occasionally brushed against the spinning hub but since I never wear long sleeves or anything that could catch it is not a major problem. The buzz from contact though is a bit disconcerting and a good reminder that we should be aware of all the dangers in our hobby.

John