Shopsmith Forums

Hello Fellow Shopsmith enthusiasts. I have recently picked up a very enjoyable book called Shop Savy by Roy Moungovan. There is a chapter on the Mark 5 with some excellent tips. In addition, he shares some of his favorite tools. One which he lauds is the "Kerf Keeper", manufactured by Jorgenson (the clamp and "Pony" vise folks). Evidently this handy tool has been discontinued.
I am aware of many the other kerf maintaining/riving options available, but would really like to find a pair of these Jorgenson "Kerf Keepers". All my searches, including the popular auction site, have been fruitless. Any tips in helping me track a pair down would be most appreciated. Alec

I have been using a Micro-Jig Grrripper with Micro-Jig Splitter on my 520 and an very happy with it and it is extremely safe.

If I remember correctly the kerf keeper was for hand saw operations.

That's right Ed - I cut plywood with my circular saw. That's why I'm looking for that particular item. Alec

The Shopsmith has an excellent riving knife. The only problem is it also holds the upper blade guard.

For operations where the upper blade guard isn't used I suggest you buy and extra riving knife from Shopsmith and cut it down so that when it is fully seated in it holder the top of riving knife is slightly below the top of the blade.

Once this is done you have a most excellent riving knife one that can remain on the saw for every saw operation I can think of with the possible exception of cutting a cove.

Ed in Tampa wrote:The Shopsmith has an excellent riving knife. The only problem is it also holds the upper blade guard.

For operations where the upper blade guard isn't used I suggest you buy and extra riving knife from Shopsmith and cut it down so that when it is fully seated in it holder the top of riving knife is slightly below the top of the blade.

Once this is done you have a most excellent riving knife one that can remain on the saw for every saw operation I can think of with the possible exception of cutting a cove.

I made one, Ed. I'm too cheap to buy one and cut it apart. However, I did make it so as to protrude above the blade. If it is above the blade it will interfere with cuts such as dadoes. I cut it down.

I disregarded instructions (warnings) that I read somewhere that it must be thinner than the kerf is wide. Why? Because the metal stock I had was that size (kerf + 1/32"). I ended up being forced to make it thinner because it tended to spread the kerf rather than just keep the kerf from closing on the blade. It worked as it was but I had to "push" the material through the saw - NOT SAFE - NOT WISE.

dusty wrote:I made one, Ed. I'm too cheap to buy one and cut it apart. However, I did make it so as to protrude above the blade. If it is above the blade it will interfere with cuts such as dadoes. I cut it down.

I disregarded instructions (warnings) that I read somewhere that it must be thinner than the kerf is wide. Why? Because the metal stock I had was that size (kerf + 1/32"). I ended up being forced to make it thinner because it tended to spread the kerf rather than just keep the kerf from closing on the blade. It worked as it was but I had to "push" the material through the saw - NOT SAFE - NOT WISE.

Dusty's experience mirrors mine. I purchased one someplace, no idea where. I like the way it works. I haven't used it recently but packed it carefully this morning. Jim

Hi,
I have several new Pony KerfKeepers. If you still need some, please let me know.
Jerry
corvt65@aol.com

I have one of those "somewhere"... I have looked for a picture of one on line without any luck. I guess I need to find mine and take a picture and post it on-line using the part number (3432 I believe) and names so it will show up in searches.


.