I need a recommendation for a table saw splitter.
I have a Left tilt Delta Unisaw with the Biesemeyer overhead guard.
The splitter that came with the saw seems poorly conceived, installing
and removing it is time consuming enough to suggest that the designer
expects one to have two saws. I'm willing to endure some
inconvenience but not as much as this splitter requires. Nor am I
willing to run the saw without a good splitter solution.
I purchased the "snap-in" aftermarket model from Biesmeyer. But it is
not well constructed, it doesn't stand straight and it is machined too
thick for a standard saw blade. I have spent considerable time trying
to grind it down but continue to be dissatisfied with the result.
I'd like to find something like the push down model in Kelly Mehler's
book/video but it apparently isn't made for the left tilt.
I know that the more convenient it is the more likely I am to use it.
Perhaps that sounds lame, but facts are facts.
Any suggestions?
I have been looking at this one for my right tilt Unisaw.
http://grip-tite.com/splitter.html
Reviewed here: http://www.homestead.com/ValRoseWoodWorks/Splitter.html
The concept seems sound and it is reasonably priced. Anyone ever use it?
"Alan W" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> 2>
> > My experience with the Biesemeyer splitter is similar... I had one on my
Jet
> > contractor saw and it worked so well I put one on my new Jet cabinet saw
> > Monday. Alignment took me a while to get "perfect." However, I probably
went
> > too far by using feeler gauges between the straight edge and splitter
until
> > both sides were exactly the same and the splitter was perfectly
> > perpendicular to the table. The splitter is narrower than the cut of a
> > standard WWII, and that's the only single blade (as compared to dado) I
use,
> > so kerf binding on the splitter hasn't been a problem for me.
> >
>
> My stock guard has been on the floor since I got the saw, tried to use
> it, but first time it came off it stayed off. Have been thinking of
> putting a splitter into my Zero clearance plate.
>
> Should take a look at the Beisemeyer today and see what it is like.
I have and love the Bies. That said, you do HAVE to use standard kerf
blades-which automatically made my thin kerf obsolete. But at least I
use it-something I could not do with the stock Delta splitter.
On 20 Jan 2004 10:28:05 -0800, [email protected] (Kevin Carbis)
wrote:
>I need a recommendation for a table saw splitter.
>
>I have a Left tilt Delta Unisaw with the Biesemeyer overhead guard.
>The splitter that came with the saw seems poorly conceived, installing
>and removing it is time consuming enough to suggest that the designer
>expects one to have two saws. I'm willing to endure some
>inconvenience but not as much as this splitter requires. Nor am I
>willing to run the saw without a good splitter solution.
>
>I purchased the "snap-in" aftermarket model from Biesmeyer. But it is
>not well constructed, it doesn't stand straight and it is machined too
>thick for a standard saw blade. I have spent considerable time trying
>to grind it down but continue to be dissatisfied with the result.
>
>I'd like to find something like the push down model in Kelly Mehler's
>book/video but it apparently isn't made for the left tilt.
>
>I know that the more convenient it is the more likely I am to use it.
>Perhaps that sounds lame, but facts are facts.
>
>Any suggestions?
patriarch <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in
> <snip>
> >
> > That said, I have a Delta splitter that comes with their UniGuard that
> > is so simple to remove and replace, and so well made, that it is
> > something you automatically without thinking about it.
> >
> > I think it is available separately, but is pretty pricey ... however,
> > I will pay the price for both safety and convenience.
> >
>
> Amen!
Ditto on the splitter that comes with the Uniguard. I went to a local
Delta parts store a couple of years ago, they looked it up in the
parts manual and actually had one in stock, about $30 or so, works
great, has a knurled knob for quick removal, best bargain in
"aftermarket" splitter out there, and I am shocked Delta does not
promote it separately with a large markup in price, as they always
seem to do. Mutt
Kevin,
Call their tech support guy and talk nicely... I had a problem with mine,
the bracket assembly was not ground correctly and even though I tried hand
filing it down, it still would not fit properly. Called them, explained the
problem, sent a couple of photo's to show exactly what was wrong and they
said a new splitter is on the way - keep the old parts. It didn't matter to
them that I was trying to fix it. They realize stuff happens and since
these splitters are outsourced, QC may not be the best.
The new splitter worked fine and they thanked me for pointing out a
production problem. Call them, they'll fix it.
Bob S.
"Kevin Carbis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I need a recommendation for a table saw splitter.
>
> I have a Left tilt Delta Unisaw with the Biesemeyer overhead guard.
> The splitter that came with the saw seems poorly conceived, installing
> and removing it is time consuming enough to suggest that the designer
> expects one to have two saws. I'm willing to endure some
> inconvenience but not as much as this splitter requires. Nor am I
> willing to run the saw without a good splitter solution.
>
> I purchased the "snap-in" aftermarket model from Biesmeyer. But it is
> not well constructed, it doesn't stand straight and it is machined too
> thick for a standard saw blade. I have spent considerable time trying
> to grind it down but continue to be dissatisfied with the result.
>
> I'd like to find something like the push down model in Kelly Mehler's
> book/video but it apparently isn't made for the left tilt.
>
> I know that the more convenient it is the more likely I am to use it.
> Perhaps that sounds lame, but facts are facts.
>
> Any suggestions?
I'm not sure what happened to your Biesemeyer splitter, but mine is perfect
and works great. It is straight, was very easy to align perfectly with the
blade and has stayed aligned for well over a year. I take it out and put it
back in many times during each project, and it always lines up just right.
It is designed for use with a 1/8" kerf blade, which is what I consider
"standard". If you're trying to use it with a thin kerf blade, you're
definitely not going to have fun. That's not what it was designed for
anyway.
I'm unsure why you've had problems with yours, but perhaps you got a lemon.
I also have the Biesemeyer blade gaurd as well as a few other table saw
fence add-ons and they are all rock solid and work wonderfully. They are
still a rip off, but that's how it goes.
Mike
"Kevin Carbis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I need a recommendation for a table saw splitter.
>
> I have a Left tilt Delta Unisaw with the Biesemeyer overhead guard.
> The splitter that came with the saw seems poorly conceived, installing
> and removing it is time consuming enough to suggest that the designer
> expects one to have two saws. I'm willing to endure some
> inconvenience but not as much as this splitter requires. Nor am I
> willing to run the saw without a good splitter solution.
>
> I purchased the "snap-in" aftermarket model from Biesmeyer. But it is
> not well constructed, it doesn't stand straight and it is machined too
> thick for a standard saw blade. I have spent considerable time trying
> to grind it down but continue to be dissatisfied with the result.
>
> I'd like to find something like the push down model in Kelly Mehler's
> book/video but it apparently isn't made for the left tilt.
>
> I know that the more convenient it is the more likely I am to use it.
> Perhaps that sounds lame, but facts are facts.
>
> Any suggestions?
"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in
<snip>
>
> That said, I have a Delta splitter that comes with their UniGuard that
> is so simple to remove and replace, and so well made, that it is
> something you automatically without thinking about it.
>
> I think it is available separately, but is pretty pricey ... however,
> I will pay the price for both safety and convenience.
>
Amen!
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00130.asp
Kelly Mehler talks about the Delta Removeable splitter in this article. My
local Rockler ordered it for me as a service part early last year. Maybe
$35 total. Well worth it.
It's on my left tilt Unisaw all of the time, except when working with the
dado stack, or cross cutting, (usually with a home made sled).
Patriarch
"Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm not sure what happened to your Biesemeyer splitter, but mine is
perfect
> and works great. It is straight, was very easy to align perfectly with
the
> blade and has stayed aligned for well over a year. I take it out and put
it
> back in many times during each project, and it always lines up just right.
> It is designed for use with a 1/8" kerf blade, which is what I consider
> "standard". If you're trying to use it with a thin kerf blade, you're
> definitely not going to have fun. That's not what it was designed for
> anyway.
>
> I'm unsure why you've had problems with yours, but perhaps you got a
lemon.
> I also have the Biesemeyer blade gaurd as well as a few other table saw
> fence add-ons and they are all rock solid and work wonderfully. They are
> still a rip off, but that's how it goes.
>
> Mike
My experience with the Biesemeyer splitter is similar... I had one on my Jet
contractor saw and it worked so well I put one on my new Jet cabinet saw
Monday. Alignment took me a while to get "perfect." However, I probably went
too far by using feeler gauges between the straight edge and splitter until
both sides were exactly the same and the splitter was perfectly
perpendicular to the table. The splitter is narrower than the cut of a
standard WWII, and that's the only single blade (as compared to dado) I use,
so kerf binding on the splitter hasn't been a problem for me.
John
2>
> My experience with the Biesemeyer splitter is similar... I had one on my Jet
> contractor saw and it worked so well I put one on my new Jet cabinet saw
> Monday. Alignment took me a while to get "perfect." However, I probably went
> too far by using feeler gauges between the straight edge and splitter until
> both sides were exactly the same and the splitter was perfectly
> perpendicular to the table. The splitter is narrower than the cut of a
> standard WWII, and that's the only single blade (as compared to dado) I use,
> so kerf binding on the splitter hasn't been a problem for me.
>
My stock guard has been on the floor since I got the saw, tried to use
it, but first time it came off it stayed off. Have been thinking of
putting a splitter into my Zero clearance plate.
Should take a look at the Beisemeyer today and see what it is like.
On 21 Jan 2004 09:24:35 -0800, [email protected] (Mutt) wrote:
>patriarch <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>> "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in
>> <snip>
>> >
>> > That said, I have a Delta splitter that comes with their UniGuard that
>> > is so simple to remove and replace, and so well made, that it is
>> > something you automatically without thinking about it.
>> >
>> > I think it is available separately, but is pretty pricey ... however,
>> > I will pay the price for both safety and convenience.
>> >
>>
>> Amen!
>
>Ditto on the splitter that comes with the Uniguard. I went to a local
>Delta parts store a couple of years ago, they looked it up in the
>parts manual and actually had one in stock, about $30 or so, works
>great, has a knurled knob for quick removal, best bargain in
>"aftermarket" splitter out there, and I am shocked Delta does not
>promote it separately with a large markup in price, as they always
>seem to do. Mutt
I am pretty sure that the Biesemeyer T Guard splitter is called
Splitter Assembly Complete Part #134 9941. See it at
http://media.ptg-online.com/media/dm/Parts%20Lists/20021115200000_CS-16.pdf
"Kevin Carbis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I know that the more convenient it is the more likely I am to use it.
> Perhaps that sounds lame, but facts are facts.
>
> Any suggestions?
Nothing lame about that sentiment at all ... convenience is the #1 reason I
use mine religiously on ALL through cuts on my UniSaw. AAMOF, it has become
so much a habit that the saw no longer looks right without it ... a mental
'double check' I was shooting for in the first place.
Not familiar with the Biesemeyer splitter, but all I've heard is good things
about it.
That said, I have a Delta splitter that comes with their UniGuard that is so
simple to remove and replace, and so well made, that it is something you
automatically without thinking about it.
I think it is available separately, but is pretty pricey ... however, I will
pay the price for both safety and convenience.
--
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Last update: 1/16/04