throat plate question

[Bo McCorkle]

I have the porter cable hybrid table saw http://www.deltaportercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=24027
anywho i am wanting to make a zero clearance throat plate but all the ones i see pl making are about a half inch thick. The saws mounts as it appears to me will only allow for about .190 of thickness in there. So my question is does anyone have or had any experience with this????? the best i can think to do is either route clearance spaces for the mounting tabs or maybe using a piece of 3/16 lexan (not sure if it would be rigid enough) or if maybe i could just fill my current slot in the stock plate with epoxy and kerf thru it ??? but then again that only solves half the problem since id still have noting for my dado stack???
anyways any helpwould be awesome

[David Cefai]

I have a similar situation with my Ferm 250Z saw.
This worked:

Start with a 3/4" piece of wood. Rebate the edges until it sinks flush with the table top. Cut what you can of the kerf slot. Remove wood from around the base of the slot until you can raise the blade fully.
Drive in a couple of brads at the back to stop the insert being driven out of the slot.

[Bill Huber]

You may want to read this thread.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?101164-The-jury-is-in-on-ZCI-material&highlight=zci+inserts

I use Phenolic, it last a long long time and they really look good to boot.
I start with 1/2" phenolic and tape the original to it and then ruff cut it on the band saw. Then use the router table and a pattern bit to finish the edge. Then with a rabbeting bit with a large bearing start cutting, then go to the next smaller bearing as so on until the plate sets in the saw.


177511177512177513http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/misc/pencil.png

[Trent Shirley]

Leecraft makes a ZCI for this saw as well. It is the Leecraft HT-1.

[Jim Heffner]

You might try using one of those white UHMW cutting boards from Wally World for a few bucks.
Also, enough material there to make several for the price of one piece.

[Bill Huber]

You might try using one of those white UHMW cutting boards from Wally World for a few bucks.
Also, enough material there to make several for the price of one piece.

Don't waste your money or your time, they will bow on you after a short time.

[Neil Bosdet]

You may want to read this thread.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?101164-The-jury-is-in-on-ZCI-material&highlight=zci+inserts

I use Phenolic, it last a long long time and they really look good to boot.
I start with 1/2" phenolic and tape the original to it and then ruff cut it on the band saw. Then use the router table and a pattern bit to finish the edge. Then with a rabbeting bit with a large bearing start cutting, then go to the next smaller bearing as so on until the plate sets in the saw.


177511177512177513http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/misc/pencil.png

I've never seen phenolic sheets for sale. Where do you buy them?

[Bill Huber]

I've never seen phenolic sheets for sale. Where do you buy them?

It depends one how big you need, my saw takes and insert that is just under 15" long. I had to get them from I think Forrest, they are cheaper there then other places but you can not pick your color. I can get 3 ZCI from one sheet and that puts the cost at about $7.50 for each ZCI.

http://www.forrestsawbladesonline.com/product_657_BK1_11L_x_15W_x_1_2T_Leecraft_Universa l_Sheets.html

Now if you don't need that large of an insert then Rockler sells a kit with 2 panels in it. They are kind of high, $29 for 2 and that makes them almost $15 each.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17508&rrt=1

[Neil Bosdet]

It depends one how big you need, my saw takes and insert that is just under 15" long. I had to get them from I think Forrest, they are cheaper there then other places but you can not pick your color. I can get 3 ZCI from one sheet and that puts the cost at about $7.50 for each ZCI.

Thanks very much!