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Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:19 pm
by robinson46176
Yes Rob, That is exactly what I have and was trying with limited success to describe not too long ago. Thanks...
I think that the bolt is too big for some thin kerf blades. Maybe that is why they discontinued it?
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Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:54 am
by foxtrapper
Easily made with some scrap wedge pieces of wood. Not important with plywood usually, because it doesn't pull back on itself. But it can be right handy when cutting along the grain of a board that closes itself.
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 10:01 am
by dusty
Side Bar Please:
When ripping a board that closes on itself, what procedure do you follow to get the kerf keeper installed so that you can continue on with the rip?
You cannot pull the partially cut board back at you without begging for a kickback because of the closure.
You could but I don't recommend lifting the board up and off of the blade UNLESS the saw has been turned off.
If you leave the board in place and turn the saw off and then install the kerf keeper, are there any special precautions to take when you turn the saw back on?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:13 am
by wa2crk
Why can't you use a tapered shim as a kerf keeper? When I rip some southern yellow pine I put a shim in the kerf and it helps a lot. Packages of shims are available at most home centers.
Bill V
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:17 pm
by dusty
wa2crk wrote:Why can't you use a tapered shim as a kerf keeper? When I rip some southern yellow pine I put a shim in the kerf and it helps a lot. Packages of shims are available at most home centers.
Bill V
Same questions though.
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 2:44 pm
by JPG
dusty wrote:Side Bar Please:
When ripping a board that closes on itself, what procedure do you follow to get the kerf keeper installed so that you can continue on with the rip?
You cannot pull the partially cut board back at you without begging for a kickback because of the closure.
You could but I don't recommend lifting the board up and off of the blade UNLESS the saw has been turned off.
If you leave the board in place and turn the saw off and then install the kerf keeper, are there any special precautions to take when you turn the saw back on?
I see that as a safety problem also! I think I would prefer a stationary one near the back of the blade.
Perhaps somebody got hurt trying any of those methods you suggested and went to court. That would explain its current absence.
Ever notice what an x-ray tech does just prior to 'turning their machine on'?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:11 pm
by wa2crk
Dusty
#1 use a tapered shim
#2 Don't do that
#3 Don't do that either
#4 stop the machine and back the board out of the cut a few inches and install the shim. Restart the machine and continue the cut. The saw should start without binding if it is properly aligned
If the board is very long a helper is useful to install the shim. Don't use a lot of pressure just enough to keep the kerf from closing
Bill
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:27 pm
by robinson46176
One thing that I believe has not been covered on the Pony Kerf-keeper is that it was I believe originally made for power hand saw applications and much more than keeping the kerf from closing it served to keep the cut off piece (often sheet goods) from dropping as the cut progressed. Did that make sense? If you lay a sheet on a table with say 12" hanging over the side of the table and start cutting that 12" X maybe 8' off of the sheet by the time you get 2/3rds of the way along the cut the cut off part behind you will start to sag and has to be supported either by something else of you reach back and hold it up. With the Pony Kerf-keeper it physically clamps the cut off part to the original sheet. Keeping the kerf open is less important with a hand saw than supporting the cut piece.
BTW, I use wedges at the table saw like several others
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Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:34 pm
by robinson46176
OK, here is a question for the group... If I am a woodworker with a woodshop why on earth would I go buy wooden wedges???
If I can't cut a few wedges what kind of project am I going to be able to make?
Sorry, had to ask that one.
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Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:33 pm
by beeg
robinson46176 wrote:OK, here is a question for the group... If I am a woodworker with a woodshop why on earth would I go buy wooden wedges???
If I can't cut a few wedges what kind of project am I going to be able to make?
Sorry, had to ask that one.
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But Farmer what wood you use, power tools or hand tools to cut em.