Shopsmith Forums

No pictures, but I was using my mark 7 in the TS mode a few days ago and the anti-kickback pawls ended up getting so loose that they were falling from the vibration of the saw, and not allowing my work to pass through the saw. I never liked the design of these as they seemed like they barely work, so I just took it to my bench grinder and ground the head of the rivet off. I have the pieces to it, but need to collect them (one or to pieced ended up on the floor under something). I figured I might put them back later, but wanted to find out what others have done when they've run into similar issues here.

I guess not.

adrianpglover,

The problem you have is not something I have experienced so I didn't answer previously. I have 3 sets of the Upper and Lower Saw Guard sets for the Mark V 510/505, 520 and Mark 7. Besides those I have several other Shopsmith Saw Blade Guard sets. The anti-kickback pawls on the Mark V 510/505, 520 and Mark 7 Upper Saw Blade Guard are different than other Saw Blade Guards and I can imagine how they could become loose and cause that problem.

I think I'm just going to leave them off. I only use the TS mode on my shopsmith for plywood sheets. For everything else I'll use the cabinet base table saw. Even there, I keep the kickback pawls pulled up because they tend to scratch the wood. I use anti-kickback rollers and feather boards much more often.

Most of the ones on my guards are in good shape.

It kind of looks as if they were used only on occasion.

I've not used mine much either. I would usually try to pull them up and out of the way. I've never had a kickback where they needed to engage, but still. It just loosened up on me enough to finally start falling just from the vibration of startup, and then if I raised them it would fall even without the machine running.

I don't really use mine much either. For ripping I use JessEm stock guides, which includes anti-reverse, along with a riving knife. For most other cuts I like a sacrificial fence for control, which isn't compatible with the USG so here I'm using a riving knife. I have the SS "non through cut" riving knife and a taller one with a little more coverage that I made from a USG, so if I'm using the TS with a 10" blade the riving knife is always there. But about that USG, I thought that the anti-reverse mechanism is supposed to be somewhat loose in the slot, and would naturally tend to fall in the angled slot when no workpiece is present.(?)

- David