Shopsmith Forums

masonsailor2 wrote:This is the method have used for years. Anytime you are going to slice a thin piece off just add a piece of tape.
Paul

Correct me if I am wrong but the reason for a zero clearance insert is to try to prevent chip out not to prevent very thin cutoff pieces from falling through the blade insert. Masking tape used in this manner will do nothing for chip out. The tape in the original post seems like a good idea but it adds a thickness to the saw table regardless of whether it is a chop saw or a table saw. That thickness should be compensated for at both ends of the stock to ensure an accurate cut.

A typical insert for the Mark V is 1/4" think. That thickness could be reduced to compensate for the thickness of the tape. No issue as I see it; however, I'll not be using it. My inserts work just fine with out it.

After reading this thread I add a set of the tapes to my list of things to buy. That time has come and they are on order.

I looked at the saw I use the most and the insert is pretty much level. I was thinking I could make a new insert and take it down by the thickness of the tape. Not sure if that is needed or not but I might just do it because I can.

My other saw the insert is lower then the table. I didn't measure it but it might well be very close to the right amount. When I get the tape I will see what it looks like.

I tried the masking tape idea presented here and well it doesn't do much but it does let you see where the blade cuts but then the laser does that too.

Ed

I do have these strips. They are thick enough they hold up well, but also thick enough that they had a "set" to them after I took them out off the packaging. Eventually found that placing a strip between sheets of MDF and then a weight (about 9 pounds) for a few days, took out the curve.
I did try these on my shopsmith and found that no matter how I modified them, the leading edge kept catching on the work piece. Though I didn't try modifying the TS insert by reducing its thickness where it touches the table recess.
They do work well on my miter saw. But there, they don't have to deal with much constant friction as wood passes over. Plus, the plastic inserts set low enough that the thickness of the material doesn't affect the contact of the material on the wings.
It has been over a year since I tried them on my SS table saw insert. If you find they work, I'd be willing to try it again. Sure beats chewing up the other insert some more when I get back in to the shop.
Be well,
Ben

Some time ago I posted about a replaceable ZCI for the MKV.
See it here http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/gener ... t5084.html.

The zero clearance tape(s) arrived this morning. I took them out and they had the "set" from being in the packaging. Thought I would twist them the "other" way and put them back in the package for a couple of hours. Worked really well, they twisted the other way but laid out flat with just a minor effort.

I didn't get as far on this as I hoped. I pulled the plate out of the saw and have marked up a new one, it is thinner but I still might have to thin it a bit more??

The new marked up one is not yet cut or drilled or measured with the tape to see how close it will come as is. Just not comfortable working conditions with the heat and humidity. Still a few more days of these conditions so I'm not sure how or when I'm going to proceed. Just hope I don't loose the 4 screws that the plate needs to mount.

At the buck a piece this could be a quick and easy way to deal with the miter saw ZCI. I'm using plastic for the plate because I'm not sure how well the tape will pull off when replacing strips.......... the whole idea is to not have to make new plates each time.

Might be a few days before I can report back so stay tuned.

Ed