Shopsmith Forums

After watching a Hands Online Video Tip Postcard, I decided to install my Zero Clearance Insert which I have had for years.

It looks like it will serve me well in many operations. I can't even count the number of times that a small cutoff has gone down into the upper dust collector only to be thrown back out at me. To say nothing of the pieces that drop down along side the blade and rub there until I stop and remove them.

But while I was installing the zero clearance insert, I noticed a caution statement (on the insert) that has me in doubt. On the insert there is a statement that warns against using the insert when performing a thru-cut.

Someone please explain.

Side Comment: I don't like the idea of not being able to use the riving knife so the zero clearance insert will have to come out whenever I am ripping long pieces or sheet goods that could close on the blade.

I recently purchased some tools locally from a widow of a deceased Shopsmith owner. Included were several zero insert blanks for the 510/520.

While there are advantages to zero clearance inserts they do set you up to do more unguarded cuts, and I've promised my wife that I would always use the saw guard. After 27 years with my Shopsmith I still have all my fingers - never even a close call!

Unless there is some way to use the saw guard and riving knife with zero clearance inserts I won't be using them. There are usually alternatives to make cuts rather than do it on an unguarded table saw.

Hey guys no need to stop using this type insert because if you check the catalog they sell a version with the pre-formed cut-out for the upper guard. Check part number 555518.

Of course I'm sure someone could manage to do that to any blank insert if they wanted to....

Ed

I made a bunch of blank inserts out of scrap hardboard, and used a Dremel tool to cut out an extra slot for the riving knife/upper saw guard on a couple of them. Not pretty, but it works.

I'd bet the OPR would make those inserts with the extra slot nicely! Unfortunately, I don't have one (yet).

Gary

dusty wrote: On the zero clearance insert there is a statement that warns against using the insert when performing a thru-cut.

Someone please explain.

Thanks for the inputs guys but you have not addressed the real question.

What is the concerns about thru-cuts with a zero clearance insert?

Maybe the real question for this dummy to be asking is - "What is a thru cut" ?

Hi, Dusty, I'm no expert but I think a "thru-cut" is any cut which is entirely through the thickness of the wood, which means that the blade is exposed while making the cut.

A "non-thru-cut" would then be, for example, a dado cut where the blade is completely buried in the wood and not exposed during the cut.

I think the warning statement is the usual legalese to remind you that an unguarded blade is dangerous. Personally, I'm grateful for the cautions, it makes me think before I use the equipment, so I'm reminded where the hazards are.

Gary

In the video post card, Nick cut the insert to facilitate a standard saw blade and not a dado blade. Therefore, I conclude (maybe not rightly) that he then would use the zero clearance insert while performing cross cuts or rips.

He demoed using the zero clearance while cutting "small pieces". Pieces that could fall down into the blade opening.

Is this the difference??

I'll not be ripping or cross cutting normal size stock without the saw guard and riving knife so maybe this means I'll hang that zero clearance insert back on the tool board for another few years.

More help, please.

Hey Dusty,

I think the way to look at this is any cut that you can use the spliter and guard on should be done that way... ie a thru-cut. The insert you have is for anything else where the splitter and guard can not be used.

At least that is the way I take it.

Ed

I use home made zero clearance inserts nearly all the time. I extended the kerf made by the blade, for the upper guard, with a router but it was so long ago I don't remember any details. (Although I probably made notes in my journal.) I know we all want to use the appropriate guards.

Hi again,

I just look at my collection of shopsmith info I have on this computer and did not find the drawing I have for the insert and insert with guard cut-out. I think I got them somewhere off the yahoo back pages.... anyway as I said I have not found them but I will check my other computer later today and if I still don't find them I'll see if I can find them online again.

Ed