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As I'm learning the setups on a Mark 7, I just learned that you need to remove the tie bar guard when setting up for the under-table shaper.

As I went through that process, it occurred to me to wonder: just what does this thing do? It's a piece of plastic, definitely not very strong, that seems to be protecting a major piece of iron. That makes no sense to me. It doesn't keep your hands away from any moving parts or prevent any moving parts from hitting each other, at least as far as I can tell.

Does it do anything but get in the way?

poihths wrote:As I'm learning the setups on a Mark 7, I just learned that you need to remove the tie bar guard when setting up for the under-table shaper.

As I went through that process, it occurred to me to wonder: just what does this thing do? It's a piece of plastic, definitely not very strong, that seems to be protecting a major piece of iron. That makes no sense to me. It doesn't keep your hands away from any moving parts or prevent any moving parts from hitting each other, at least as far as I can tell.

Does it do anything but get in the way?

I don't know because I don't know which guard you are referencing.

I don't have a Mark 7 and therefore do not do under the table shaper work but if the instructions relate only to under the table work maybe the guard comes into play for normal above table operations.

Maybe a picture would help

When the lower saw guard is adjusted properly, the plastic "guard" you're asking about greatly improves the efficiency of the dust collection. It's really more of a baffle.

After everything else is in position, slide the right side of the lower saw guard over against that guard/baffle and lock it down. This closes off a huge side opening where air can be sucked into the lower guard. Then much more of the incoming airflow must come through the table insert and the opening at the front of the guard, where it is much more effective at capturing the sawdust.

The purpose of the tie bar guard is to (1) come down on top of the lower blade guard, (2) interfere with the lowering of the table, and (3) cause you to swear a lot.

Seriously, when the lower blade guard is adjusted to the proper width, the tie bar guard passes just to the right of the lower blade guard as the table is lowered and works in conjunction with the lower blade guard to provide a physical barrier (1) keeping body parts away from the blade, (2) keeping wood chips and (and sawdust to some extent) contained within the lower saw guard and (3) making dust collection (somewhat) more efficient.

I took mine off the first time I went to under table mode. It has never been put back on ....

I'm confused. What the heck is a tie bar guard? I don't know that I have one. Are we talking about a new Mark 7 or an older Mark VII?

ChrisNeilan wrote:I'm confused. What the heck is a tie bar guard? I don't know that I have one. Are we talking about a new Mark 7 or an older Mark VII?

7 505 510 520 and later 500.

ChrisNeilan wrote:I'm confused. What the heck is a tie bar guard? I don't know that I have one. Are we talking about a new Mark 7 or an older Mark VII?

It's item #155 on this exploded view.

I am not going to attempt to tell you what it was designed for because of its name. I don't see where it really guards anything.

I will tell you that if you cut a lot of wood without it you will find that it assists the dust collection system. Without it, you'll do a lot of sweeping.

Ah, the piece that seems to always get in my way! I have learned to watch out for that when adjusting the table...