Lower Saw Guard & Riving Knife

wgander · Post by **wgander** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:33 pm

It looks like the lower blade guard is bent, as though it were lying flat and weight was applied to the spindle mounting area, forcing the mounting area in, towards the center. I think the surface closest to the headstock should be flat and perpendicular to the spindle. Photos 7,1144,1146 show the center pushed in closer to the blade and both the front and rear to be angled out, towards the head stock.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:37 pm

colday; I am almost convinced that your original diagnosis was correct. It is hard to believe that the casting is malformed but your total set of photos is rather convincing (or confusing).

Before viewing your last post, I took some photos of my own.

I took the plastic shield off so that I could better view the riving knife with respect to the casting. BTW The riving knife shown is a homemade version to be used when I do not want the upper saw guard in place (when cutting bevels).

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:40 pm

A continuation:

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:41 pm

colday wrote:With the guard pulled out precariously close to falling off, the center point is aligned - but now the mid sawing point is horribly aligned.

You want to have the lower guard all the way on. I agree with the earlier poster that the lower guard looks bent.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:42 pm

GASP!!!!:eek: Dusty took a picture with REAL SAWDUST

included!

colday · Post by **colday** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:53 pm

Thanks Dusty for the pics.

I will try to get one off eBay, if that does'nt pan out, I'll just order one from Shopsmith.

In the mean time I will be as safe as I can, YIKES! I will also tear it down & attempt at getting it close to straight.

I will order the entire unit, who knows when I will need spare parts?

Oh, and a big thanks to all who spent the time researching & posting - this group is as good as the old Ryobi forums!

Steve

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:56 pm

colday wrote:...The budget officer & the LOML has authorized the purchase of a new Lower Guard (as this IS a safety item), but I do not want to spend the $ just to find that it IS me.

Thanks!

Now for a little info...

I've been a Shopsmith fan since my good buddy Wayne bought his back in the 80s. I've had my heart on a new unit, but just could not get the price point past the LOML. She finally agreed on a used one! So, as not to miss the window of oppertunity I jumped on the first good looking unit off Craigslist....

Thanks a lot Steve!! Now my wife says I must refer to her on this forum as LOML instead of SWMBO! She asked me what LOML meant and when I told her, she thought that the term was more to her liking.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:35 pm

Looked at all the photos two or three times. Yep- looks like the lower saw guard is bent/warped. If it were mine, I'd try to straighten it.

There is a horizontal strip of aluminum near the bottom of the part. Its side is supposed to be firm to the headstock side of the guard. I think it's purpose is to stabilize the plastic in the guard. Perhaps the guard was bent and at the same time a piece of wood got wedged between this horizontal piece and the side of the guard? If so this could cause the bend.

Wishing you good luck and stay safe!

P.S. Thanks for teaching the LOML reference.

colday · Post by **colday** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:08 pm

I plan to tear it completely down later tonight & see what I can do.

Yeah, when I first saw the LOML reference my wife also loved that term. Whatever helps get me tool buying points I will use!

Now Tim you have one on me... Just what is the SWMBO?

Thanks a lot Steve!! Now my wife says I must refer to her on this forum as LOML instead of SWMBO! She asked me what LOML meant and when I told her, she thought that the term was more to her liking.

Got some work done to the wall today, whew! You would not think just adding an outlet above a cabinet would be that much fun! I'm at the end of adding a separating wall between the kitchen & dinning room project. Put the cabinets back up once the paint is dry, put in under cabinet lighting (reason for the outlet), wall paper & wainscot the other side & it should be a wrap!

Steve

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:21 pm

colday wrote:...Now Tim you have one on me... Just what is the SWMBO?...

She Who Must Be Obeyed. So, as long as I obey her and use the Love Of My Life acronym, I will be good.