Craftsman Table Saw/New Fence/New Splitter.

[Pat]

I am trying NOT to buy a cabinet saw. Partially because I am sharing my
"shop" with a car I love and am thus short of space. I have gotten to
the point where taking the blade guard and splitter on and off my
craftsman saw is becoming a real problem in terms of time and
effeciency, and I need more outfeed table space. I am about to buy a
new Biesemeyer fence for the saw and build a couple of large outfeed
tables. At the same time I would like to get rid of the blade guard and
splitter and replace them with something that makes it easier to switch
from rip cuts to cross cuts.

So I wondered if anybody out there has gotten rid of their factory
blade guard and splitter for a craftsman saw and what they used as a
replacement. I guess the splitter is the item that I see has the
hardest to replace right now.

Thanks.

[Thom]

I have a Craftsman saw -- model 22114 or something like that. I took the
blade guard and splitter off when I put an incra fence on it. I am getting
ready to install a shark guard. Looks like it will fit the bill of reducing
the pain in the rear of on and off -- this is a guess since I don't have it
yet.
shark guard can be found here. http://www.leestyron.com/sharkcrman.php

Thom

Post by Pat
I am trying NOT to buy a cabinet saw. Partially because I am sharing my
"shop" with a car I love and am thus short of space. I have gotten to
the point where taking the blade guard and splitter on and off my
craftsman saw is becoming a real problem in terms of time and
effeciency, and I need more outfeed table space. I am about to buy a
new Biesemeyer fence for the saw and build a couple of large outfeed
tables. At the same time I would like to get rid of the blade guard and
splitter and replace them with something that makes it easier to switch
from rip cuts to cross cuts.
So I wondered if anybody out there has gotten rid of their factory
blade guard and splitter for a craftsman saw and what they used as a
replacement. I guess the splitter is the item that I see has the
hardest to replace right now.
Thanks.

[Leon]

Post by Pat
I am trying NOT to buy a cabinet saw. Partially because I am sharing my
"shop" with a car I love and am thus short of space. I have gotten to the
point where taking the blade guard and splitter on and off my craftsman saw
is becoming a real problem in terms of time and effeciency, and I need more
outfeed table space. I am about to buy a new Biesemeyer fence for the saw
and build a couple of large outfeed tables. At the same time I would like
to get rid of the blade guard and splitter and replace them with something
that makes it easier to switch from rip cuts to cross cuts.
So I wondered if anybody out there has gotten rid of their factory blade
guard and splitter for a craftsman saw and what they used as a
replacement. I guess the splitter is the item that I see has the hardest
to replace right now.
Thanks.

There are numerous splitters that you can buy and make your self that simply
mount to the insert. You can also buy an overhead guard.

Your first sentence has got my attention. Why did you make that statement?
A cabinet saw does not take up any more room than a contractors saw and is
not necessarily easier to change the splitter or guard.

With that said, I build pretty high quality furniture and only use one
blade. I remove my blade simply to have it sharpened or to mount a dado
set. With your saw set up properly with a good combo blade you do not need
to change blades to go from a rip to a cross cut.

[Pat]

Post by Leon

Post by Pat
I am trying NOT to buy a cabinet saw. Partially because I am sharing my
"shop" with a car I love and am thus short of space. I have gotten to
the point where taking the blade guard and splitter on and off my
craftsman saw is becoming a real problem in terms of time and
effeciency, and I need more outfeed table space. I am about to buy a
new Biesemeyer fence for the saw and build a couple of large outfeed
tables. At the same time I would like to get rid of the blade guard and
splitter and replace them with something that makes it easier to switch
from rip cuts to cross cuts.
So I wondered if anybody out there has gotten rid of their factory
blade guard and splitter for a craftsman saw and what they used as a
replacement. I guess the splitter is the item that I see has the
hardest to replace right now.
Thanks.

There are numerous splitters that you can buy and make your self that
simply mount to the insert. You can also buy an overhead guard.
Your first sentence has got my attention. Why did you make that
statement? A cabinet saw does not take up any more room than a
contractors saw and is not necessarily easier to change the splitter or
guard.
With that said, I build pretty high quality furniture and only use one
blade. I remove my blade simply to have it sharpened or to mount a
dado set. With your saw set up properly with a good combo blade you do
not need to change blades to go from a rip to a cross cut.

I am trying to get around having to remove the blade guard and splitter
everytime I want to put the cross-cut sled on. Plus the way the guard
fits onto the saw makes it a little tricky to have an outfeed table on
the back of the saw though the real culprit here is the rear rail from
the Stock Craftsman fence.

I was thinking about getting a Powermatic cabinet saw. But moving it
around would be a little trickier than where I'm at today with the
craftsman & custom cart I built plus the 230 socket is on the other
side of the shop and so on the other side of the car.. it's a mess
thats seems like it would be easier to fix with a new fence, folding
outfeed table, removable splitter and new blade guard.

[Leon]

Post by Pat
I am trying to get around having to remove the blade guard and splitter
everytime I want to put the cross-cut sled on. Plus the way the guard fits
onto the saw makes it a little tricky to have an outfeed table on the back
of the saw though the real culprit here is the rear rail from the Stock
Craftsman fence.

OK, I see.

Post by Pat
I was thinking about getting a Powermatic cabinet saw. But moving it
around would be a little trickier than where I'm at today with the
craftsman & custom cart I built plus the 230 socket is on the other side
of the shop and so on the other side of the car.. it's a mess thats seems
like it would be easier to fix with a new fence, folding outfeed table,
removable splitter and new blade guard.

;~) Oh no, spend the big bucks. LOL. I am sure you know it but in case
you don't, the PM 2000 has built a built in mobile base. You can make
yourself an extension cord to reach that outlet way over there.

Or, do what you are thinking about. Good Luck

Look at the MJ splitter for a splitter that is really cheap and works pretty
good.

[mapdude]

I have been using my (my dad's) Craftsman table saw for over 25 years
now. I can't remember a time when the guard and splitter was on it
except for the first month or so he had it.

I just have a very health respect for this machine and what it can do.
I practice strict safety when ever I use the saw, ever vigilant for
kickbacks etc, and make sure I don't stand directly behind the wood as I
move it past the blade.

Never been a problem (knock on wood...)

Post by Pat

Post by Leon

Post by Pat
I am trying NOT to buy a cabinet saw. Partially because I am sharing
my "shop" with a car I love and am thus short of space. I have gotten
to the point where taking the blade guard and splitter on and off my
craftsman saw is becoming a real problem in terms of time and
effeciency, and I need more outfeed table space. I am about to buy a
new Biesemeyer fence for the saw and build a couple of large outfeed
tables. At the same time I would like to get rid of the blade guard
and splitter and replace them with something that makes it easier to
switch from rip cuts to cross cuts.
So I wondered if anybody out there has gotten rid of their factory
blade guard and splitter for a craftsman saw and what they used as a
replacement. I guess the splitter is the item that I see has the
hardest to replace right now.
Thanks.

There are numerous splitters that you can buy and make your self that
simply mount to the insert. You can also buy an overhead guard.
Your first sentence has got my attention. Why did you make that
statement? A cabinet saw does not take up any more room than a
contractors saw and is not necessarily easier to change the splitter
or guard.
With that said, I build pretty high quality furniture and only use one
blade. I remove my blade simply to have it sharpened or to mount a
dado set. With your saw set up properly with a good combo blade you
do not need to change blades to go from a rip to a cross cut.

I am trying to get around having to remove the blade guard and splitter
everytime I want to put the cross-cut sled on. Plus the way the guard
fits onto the saw makes it a little tricky to have an outfeed table on
the back of the saw though the real culprit here is the rear rail from
the Stock Craftsman fence.
I was thinking about getting a Powermatic cabinet saw. But moving it
around would be a little trickier than where I'm at today with the
craftsman & custom cart I built plus the 230 socket is on the other side
of the shop and so on the other side of the car.. it's a mess thats
seems like it would be easier to fix with a new fence, folding outfeed
table, removable splitter and new blade guard.