Shopsmith Forums

Well, that's depressing . . . .

Mike -

Yes it is. How did that happen? The good thing is that lower saw guards are on eBay all the time.

I honestly dont know why it broke. Was tightening it as normal and heard a crack. Must have been a little misaligned or something? I think it hates me as much as I hate it. I wish the newer guards would fit my old Mark VII. Always hate having to remove the upper guard just to raise the table over the blade. Yes, watching ebay.

Thanks, Mike

I have seen one for sale in the past that had a break in the same spot that was repaired. It wasn't a pretty repair as you can see in the picture below. It may be the weak spot on the casting. I wouldn't trust a repair for that area due to any clamping force needed to hold it on the Quill.

EDITED - picture added .
There was another Lower Saw Blade Guard P/N 505705 that was originally made for the Mark VII and uses the same Upper Saw Blade Guard P/N 505627 that you have to go with the Lower Guard P/N 505628.

EDITED - picture added .
miken, you commented,

I wish the newer guards would fit my old Mark VII. Always hate having to remove the upper guard just to raise the table over the blade.

The only Saw Blade Guard set for the Mark 5/V I know that you don't have to remove the Upper Saw Blade Guard to raise the table over the blade is the last one (P/N 505875) made for the Mark V 500/original Table System. That is because the Upper Guard attaches to the Table Tie Bar and Post. All other Saw Blade Guard sets have the Upper Guard attach to the Lower Guard. I don't know if that Guard set can be made to fit on a Mark VII. This doesn't include Saw Guards for the Model 10's or the Mark 2.

chapmanruss wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 12:08 pm . . . The only Saw Blade Guard set for the Mark 5/V I know that you don't have to remove the Upper Saw Blade Guard to raise the table over the blade is the last one (P/N 505875) made for the Mark V 500 . . .

Thanks Russ for the info. I didn't really think that through. I guess I meant to say I dont like the way I have to remove it, from the back, rather than in front through the table. It's not actually so bad, was just annoyed.

I am attempting a temporary fix, basically turning the break point into a hinge point. It still holds the guard on securely as it is, but using that broken piece as a clamp alone isn't a good idea. I will get another one at some point soon. Will post pictures when done.

Mike -

chapmanruss wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 12:08 pm ...The only Saw Blade Guard set for the Mark 5/V I know that you don't have to remove the Upper Saw Blade Guard to raise the table over the blade is the last one (P/N 505875) made for the Mark V 500/original Table System. That is because the Upper Guard attaches to the Table Tie Bar and Post. All other Saw Blade Guard sets have the Upper Guard attach to the Lower Guard. I don't know if that Guard set can be made to fit on a Mark VII. This doesn't include Saw Guards for the Model 10's or the Mark 2.

While not exactly an Upper Blade Guard, I'm almost certain you can do this with the SS riving knife for 510 and on. I have a shop-made version I modeled after the SS version, essentially the same but bigger, and I can leave it in the lower blade guard. Not trying to start a riving knife Vs blade guard debate, it's more of a user-preference thing to me.

- David

Thanks for idea David, a picture of that riving knife would be nice.

I think I have a fix for now, and I will find another on ebay sometime. This fix will get me by. It's very secure and working good. It broke in a very fortunate place for me. As Russ said, probably the weak spot in the casting.

Russ, I think I prefer my mechanical fix over the welded fix, but I cant weld very well, and never even tried to weld cast iron. I hear it's very difficult.

Mike -

miken,

Nice metal working skills. I think you "fix" will work very well for now.

Thanks Russ, I appreciate that. Took longer than that part was really worth, but I really need to use the table saw and dont like running it without the guard.

Mike

miken wrote: ↑Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:41 pm Thanks for idea David, a picture of that riving knife would be nice.

Keep in mind that the riving knife is 510 and on, I don't know enough about the M-VII to say if you can do something like this or if you can use a 510+ lower saw guard. Works great on a M7.


The one on the left is shop made, simply a cut down riving knife stripped from a bad upper saw guard. The one on the right is the mothership version. The functional difference is mine is about 1/4" taller, so it rides closer to the top of the kerf. Both can remain in the lower saw guard when it is removed and seem to be compatible with any type of cut I have done or can think of for a 'standard' blade.

- David