I had not used the blade guards on the two table saws I have owned over 40 years for reasons similar to what you describe, but as I did more research I discovered that most of folks that lost fingers while cutting did not push their hand into the blade… the board being cut kicked back and pushed their hand into the blade. Since the splitter on my older Craftsman saw was part of the guard and since I was not using the guard, I was a prime candidate for a bad day. I think I paid about $225 (used) for my current saw which is a wonderful older heavy duty well made Craftsman saw. I bought a Shark Guard for my older Craftsman saw, I think it cost me $175 including shipping, but I don’t regret it a bit. It is a really nice guard and helps keep all my fingers where they belong. One other improvement I made to my older saw was to replace the cast pulleys on the motor and blade axel with machined pulleys from In-Line Industries. I think the two machined pulleys cost about $35 including shipping, and like they claimed, the saw runs with so little vibration you can’t stand a nickel on edge on the saw table and the nickel will not fall over
I’m glad you had a similar positive experience installing the Shark Guard on your table saw and I totally agree with you it’s well worth the investment to protect your fingers. I also like your other upgrade to your table saw. Thanks for your comment!
I purchased the shark guard after I had a kickback incident. Luckily I wasn’t hurt but it scared the bejesus out of me. The shark guard has been the best addition to my old shop Fox. I’m still very cautious when making cuts but I have a little peace of mind knowing I have that riving knife for added protection. I really wish I could afford a saw stop.
Kickback can be very scary. I’m glad you weren’t hurt. I feel the same way about having the Shark Guard. I’m with you that I would love to be able to buy a Saw Stop. Thanks for your comment.
Excellent curation of TS improvements. Subscribed. How do you deal with rips too narrow to allow the SharkGuard hood or Jessem rollers to remain in their normal positions? In such cases, I use an old Grip-Tite magnetic featherboard for inward pressure against the fence, but haven't come up with a good dust hood solution. Wouild the Shark Guard work at all if raised high enough to clear the top of the fence?
I have another video titled “How to safely cut rips, crosscuts, miters, and bevels” that might help answer your question. The problem with thin rips, the Jessem rollers won’t work and the Shark Guard gets in the way. I either use the Rockler thin ripping jig or I use a sacrificial push block. Even if you were able to rip your thin pieces with the SharkGuard elevated I think it may get in the way and I don’t think the dust extraction would be effective. The key with my approach is to always have a riving knife to minimize kickback. I don’t know if this answers your questions, but I do want to thank you for your comment and for subscribing. -Ken
This was a great video. I need to get the Shark Guard for my saw. Are you happy with the smaller dust collection port or do you think that the 4” would have been better? Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback! My logic going for the smaller diameter hose on the blade guard was since my main dust collector is connected to the bottom of the saw, pulling down the sawdust, I thought the blade guard dust collection would be for the residual dust the main collector missed. Plus, I didn’t want a large overhead hose to deal with over the saw. I don’t think you can go wrong with either size for your application. BTW, I found the people at SharkGuard to be extremely helpful. They are a small business and the really care about their customers😊
A shop vac works better on the blade guard than a low pressure dust collector. That also means the 2-1/2 hose is fine. Just make most of the length smooth piping to minimize wall friction.
I bought my Jessem TS Stock Guides several years ago on-sale for $120 at Woodcraft. I see they are now close to $300- I don't think I would pay that much! I was surprised at how much extra effort is required to push the board past the blade with the stock guides engaged.
You got a great deal when you bought your JessEm Stock Guides! Yes, you are right it does take more effort to push your work piece using the stock guides, but I really like how they keep the work piece against the fence. Thanks for your comment😊
I have a Festool dust extractor under the left side of the table saw. It has the Bluetooth technology so I can turn it on with a button on the end of the hose. The boom arm allows me to also use the same hose for the Shark Guard and for when I’m using my portable sanders on the out feed table. Thanks for the comment!
Well congratulations I see many videos but this one is very important about safety because I see many people don’t appreciate the fingers because don’t use proper protection specially for kik back wood which can kill you and many people taja that for granted thanks my friend it was honestly very good video I hope other people see this and realise how important is working whit wood how dangerous become in the process I like to keep my fingers first an my life work whit wood is enjoy situation convert a piece wood in something amazing to the eyes of someone people any way I will take all this vídeo especially this one today to Colombia to show my friend to see because few years back have and accident and finish up in hospital piece wood stack in he chest kick back in Colombia no carpenter use this safety measures the can no afford tha is to expensive there but you can make your self any way I say hello from London England 🏴 thanks again 🙏👌
I had not used the blade guards on the two table saws I have owned over 40 years for reasons similar to what you describe, but as I did more research I discovered that most of folks that lost fingers while cutting did not push their hand into the blade… the board being cut kicked back and pushed their hand into the blade. Since the splitter on my older Craftsman saw was part of the guard and since I was not using the guard, I was a prime candidate for a bad day. I think I paid about $225 (used) for my current saw which is a wonderful older heavy duty well made Craftsman saw. I bought a Shark Guard for my older Craftsman saw, I think it cost me $175 including shipping, but I don’t regret it a bit. It is a really nice guard and helps keep all my fingers where they belong. One other improvement I made to my older saw was to replace the cast pulleys on the motor and blade axel with machined pulleys from In-Line Industries. I think the two machined pulleys cost about $35 including shipping, and like they claimed, the saw runs with so little vibration you can’t stand a nickel on edge on the saw table and the nickel will not fall over
I’m glad you had a similar positive experience installing the Shark Guard on your table saw and I totally agree with you it’s well worth the investment to protect your fingers. I also like your other upgrade to your table saw. Thanks for your comment!
Great Stuff, I definetly want to add a shark guard to my old unisaw down the line!
I’m confident you won’t regret it! Thanks for your feedback 😊
Thank you for your efforts to make this important video
You are welcome😊
Each video, I learn more and more valuable things. Thanks, Ken!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
The floating’ feature of the handy caddy might torque some fences off square from the table. I’d let it slide on nylon buttons.
That's a great idea for some fences. Thanks for the comment.
I purchased the shark guard after I had a kickback incident. Luckily I wasn’t hurt but it scared the bejesus out of me. The shark guard has been the best addition to my old shop Fox. I’m still very cautious when making cuts but I have a little peace of mind knowing I have that riving knife for added protection. I really wish I could afford a saw stop.
Kickback can be very scary. I’m glad you weren’t hurt. I feel the same way about having the Shark Guard. I’m with you that I would love to be able to buy a Saw Stop. Thanks for your comment.
Excellent curation of TS improvements. Subscribed. How do you deal with rips too narrow to allow the SharkGuard hood or Jessem rollers to remain in their normal positions? In such cases, I use an old Grip-Tite magnetic featherboard for inward pressure against the fence, but haven't come up with a good dust hood solution. Wouild the Shark Guard work at all if raised high enough to clear the top of the fence?
I have another video titled “How to safely cut rips, crosscuts, miters, and bevels” that might help answer your question. The problem with thin rips, the Jessem rollers won’t work and the Shark Guard gets in the way. I either use the Rockler thin ripping jig or I use a sacrificial push block. Even if you were able to rip your thin pieces with the SharkGuard elevated I think it may get in the way and I don’t think the dust extraction would be effective. The key with my approach is to always have a riving knife to minimize kickback. I don’t know if this answers your questions, but I do want to thank you for your comment and for subscribing. -Ken
Well done Ken!!! Great and informative video as always.
Hi Randy, thanks very much for your feedback! Did you like the push stick holder?
This was a great video. I need to get the Shark Guard for my saw. Are you happy with the smaller dust collection port or do you think that the 4” would have been better? Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback! My logic going for the smaller diameter hose on the blade guard was since my main dust collector is connected to the bottom of the saw, pulling down the sawdust, I thought the blade guard dust collection would be for the residual dust the main collector missed. Plus, I didn’t want a large overhead hose to deal with over the saw. I don’t think you can go wrong with either size for your application. BTW, I found the people at SharkGuard to be extremely helpful. They are a small business and the really care about their customers😊
Thanks for getting back with me. I was thinking similarly and appreciate the validation
@@johndesormier8099 Anytime John. Also, I really appreciate your comments
A shop vac works better on the blade guard than a low pressure dust collector. That also means the 2-1/2 hose is fine. Just make most of the length smooth piping to minimize wall friction.
I bought my Jessem TS Stock Guides several years ago on-sale for $120 at Woodcraft. I see they are now close to $300- I don't think I would pay that much! I was surprised at how much extra effort is required to push the board past the blade with the stock guides engaged.
You got a great deal when you bought your JessEm Stock Guides! Yes, you are right it does take more effort to push your work piece using the stock guides, but I really like how they keep the work piece against the fence. Thanks for your comment😊
$300? That's more expensive than my tabel saw lol
Good vid. What kind of dust collector do you have hooked to you Shark Guard?
I have a Festool dust extractor under the left side of the table saw. It has the Bluetooth technology so I can turn it on with a button on the end of the hose. The boom arm allows me to also use the same hose for the Shark Guard and for when I’m using my portable sanders on the out feed table. Thanks for the comment!
Well congratulations I see many videos but this one is very important about safety because I see many people don’t appreciate the fingers because don’t use proper protection specially for kik back wood which can kill you and many people taja that for granted thanks my friend it was honestly very good video I hope other people see this and realise how important is working whit wood how dangerous become in the process I like to keep my fingers first an my life work whit wood is enjoy situation convert a piece wood in something amazing to the eyes of someone people any way I will take all this vídeo especially this one today to Colombia to show my friend to see because few years back have and accident and finish up in hospital piece wood stack in he chest kick back in Colombia no carpenter use this safety measures the can no afford tha is to expensive there but you can make your self any way I say hello from London England 🏴 thanks again 🙏👌
I’m glad you liked the video. Thanks for taking the time to provide your detailed feedback!