Table saw missing riving knife/blade guard (2024)

FAQs

When must the blade guard be removed before operating a saw? ›

Leave safety devices in place and intact on the saw. Never remove, modify, or defeat guards. Keep your free hand away from the blade (Figure 38-1). Whenever possible, select the lightest tool or the tool with the least vibration.

As of 2008, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that all new table saw designs include a riving knife.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of having a blade guard on a table saw? They make sure you can't accidentally touch or drop anything onto the blade. The ones with anti-kickback pawls also reduce the chance of something being thrown back even if it gets trapped between the blade and fence.

I will say this again: a riving knife PREVENTS most of the kick backs from even taking place. A sensor only prevents a bloody outcome while also increasing the frequency of kickback in the first place... For folks that removed the riving knife the sensor is a nice addition.

With the guard removed, certain types of injuries become more likely, such as: While reaching behind the blade to steady a workpiece with his left hand, a kickback throws the workpiece towards the operator, drawing his hand backwards, along with the workpiece, through the unguarded blade.

Most new table saws are supplied with blade guards designed to prevent the operator's hands from accidentally making contact with the blade. But in many cases, blade guards are missing or have been removed (for example, when a table saw is purchased second-hand). This puts operators at risk of serious injury.

Hand-fed crosscut table saws. Each circular crosscut table saw shall be guarded by a hood which shall meet all the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section for hoods for circular ripsaws. Circular resaws. Each circular resaw shall be guarded by a hood or shield of metal above the saw.

Make sure all band wheels are enclosed. Make sure the wheels and blade are in good condition. Make sure the blade is positioned properly on the track. Adjust blade guard height to about 3 mm or 1/8 inch to 6mm or 1/4 inch above the top of the material being cut.

Riving knives do an incredible job of preventing kickback. For one, they keep your stock from drifting over the back of the blade and getting lifted by the teeth.

Never allow your fingers to get near the blade when sawing. Use a pusher stick to rip narrow pieces of stock. Don't use pusher stick to remove scrap. For scrap removal, shut off machine and wait until blade stops, then remove scraps.

Why do table saws kick back? ›

Kickback is a major hazard with table saws, occurring when the piece of wood being cut gets pinched between the saw blade and the rip fence. This causes the wood to be forcefully ejected back towards the operator at a high speed. It can happen very quickly and unexpectedly, posing a significant danger to the user.

A blade guard is a safety feature on band saws designed to cover the exposed portions of the blade when not in use or during cutting, protecting the operator from accidental contact with the sharp, moving blade. Blade guards also help to contain dust and debris generated during cutting.

Never defeat the guard to expose the blade. For example, tying back or removing the guard. Before starting a circular saw, be sure the power cord and extension cord are out of the blade path and are sufficiently long to freely complete the cut.

BLADE GUARDS AND ANTI-KICKBACK PAWLS

They also keep your fingers from getting pushed into the blade — a common kickback-related injury. You've probably also seen the anti-kickback pawls that attach to your blade guard or riving knife.

A Woodworker's Notebook: Crown Guards. Guards are principally regarded as being simply for the protection of the sawyer's hands, but they also prevent material, including knot fragments and even broken saw teeth from being thrown towards his/her face.