Aftermarket Splitter

[Matt Meers]

I currently have the Jet Proshop tablesaw and was hoping to install a removable aftermarket splitter to replace the factory splitter. I've looked at different aftermarket splitters and have yet to find one that is compatible with the Jet Proshop.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Michael McCoy]

I use the Shark Guard and would be surprised if he doesn't have one to fit your saw. I don't have the link handy but a google of "Shark Guard" will pop it up. Overhead dust collection is super also.

[Brian W Evans]

I use the MJ Splitter (http://www.microjig.com/MJ%20Splitter.htm) that is available at Lee Valley or Woodcraft. It works well but has some limitations:

1) have to drill holes in a zero clearance insert to install it
2) it's short
3) only works for 90° cuts


That being said, it's nice to have and won't break the bank.


HTH

[John Thompson]

I would e-mail Lee Styrone at from his web contact address and see if he makes the Shark Guard for your saw. You have to wait for one as he stay behind with all the request but... it is worth the wait. IMO.. the best after-market splitter and dust collector on the market.

Good luck...

Sarge..

[Matt Meers]

Thanks guys for the feedback... i'll look into both of these options.

[Matthew Hills]

I'm not aware of an aftermarket ZCI for the proshop saw, either.

I just made own out of MDF:
- rough cut w/ jigsaw
- double-sided tape to factory insert
- routed with bearing-guided bit to get outline
- relieved underside where necessary using router table (I just sneaked up on this and seems to fit well -- don't use any levelling screws)

For a splitter, I tried a technique I saw on The Wood Whisperer (http://thewoodwhisperer.com/episode-36-extended-interview-with-anatole-burkin/) in an interview with Anatole Burkin from FWW. He uses a drill bit as his splitter, and has a method for aligning that to the saw cut in the ZCI.

Like the MJ splitter, this will probably be short (at least mine is), and doesn't tilt with the saw.

I'll be interested to hear from anyone who uses the Shark Guard with the Proshop saw. I'm definitely thinking of getting one of those, as I'd like to have a usable guard, as well.

Matt

[Matt Meers]

I started to look at the Shark Splitter and he does indeed make a version for the Jet Proshop. However, based on what I can tell though is that it is pretty much the same thing as the factory splitter in that it needs to be removed by loosening the nuts that lock it in. What i'm looking for is one that is easily removable. The current setup is a knucklebuster at times when i need to remove or reattach it.

[Jamie Buxton]

Delta's Biesemeyer splitter has a good reputation for easy removal and re-installation -- no bolts. (review: http://sawsndust.com/r-biesemeyer.htm) They don't make one for the Proshop, but they do make a variety of them, and some are for other Jet saws. Perhaps you can use one of them on your saw, or perhaps you can modify one to fit.

[John Thompson]

I think what you find with Lee's Shark Guard is gong to be different from what you have...

First.. the splitter will be just under the thickness of you blade. He would ask in advance if you run a full kerf or Thin Kerf blade. Put your stock splitter to a micro-meter and I think you will find that it is very narrow compared to the actual blade width. That creats a larger gap and if thin enough as on a Uni-saw make it quite flimsy.

Second.. it may use the same bolt attachments but Lee has designed a quick release bolts for his Shark Guards. The guard will come with bots that have a spring loaded handle about 2" long. you tighten down on the splitter and then release tension on the spring. At that point you re-position the handle so that only about 1/4 or 1/3 of a turn after you grasp the handle releases it.

Now.. I cannot be positive on that model if Lee could add the feature but I suspect he did. But.. in lieu of assume.. e-mail him and ask. He will return your e-mail usually the following day as he works a day job.

Have a look at what I refer to in the pics. I probably have shown them when I put my Uni-saw up for sale so.. open the showthread to get a picture of the handle referred to.

Sarge..

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showpost.php?p=894634&postcount=2

[Matt Meers]

Thanks Sarge... Great info...

I'll be sure to email Lee.

I know this is a little off topic, but I noticed that in your pics you closed off the blade tilt slot on the Delta. I actually have another post where I was looking for an effective way to do this without compromising the saws functionality. If you don't mind me asking, how did you do it?

[John Thompson]

Thanks Sarge... Great info...

I'll be sure to email Lee.

I know this is a little off topic, but I noticed that in your pics you closed off the blade tilt slot on the Delta. I actually have another post where I was looking for an effective way to do this without compromising the saws functionality. If you don't mind me asking, how did you do it?

Think high tech.... Well.. actually it is done with a $1.50 plastic dinner mat from Walmart I suppose. Quiet though as my wife is still looking for that 4th mat. :D

I cut a piece of sheet metal with a pair of snips shaped similar but larger than the actual tilt slot. Notice that in blue. Then I cut the plastic dinner mat similar but smaller than the sheet metal cover. And I played around to get the slot in the dinner mat aligned more or less with the tilt slot. Make it a tad wider to give some play but not enough the plastic won't go back in place as the shaft moves through it.

Then I taped the four corners of the mat over the slot. Do that until you get the slot as close as you can by moving the tilt shaft. Once you find the best final position... put the sheet metal (I spray painted mine) over the mat held on by the 4 strips of tape. And BTW.. I drilled 4 small holes in the corners of the outer sheet metal shield while taped to the saw. Then drilled through the sheet metal and through the saw base face to correspond.

So... mat cut to fit tilt slot first.. then sheet metal cover screwed over the top of it. To give it that finish touch we so all desire.. I ran strips of black duct tape around that to hide the raw edges.

I highly expect Southern Living magazine to be out to do a photo-shoot any time. :D Anyway.. the good news is it works and it is cheap... very much so.

Hope that helps...

Sarge..

[Matt Meers]

Sarge,
That is a great idea...thanks!!

Matt

[John Thompson]

Sarge,
That is a great idea...thanks!!

Matt

Your welcome.. if I had as much Viagra as I do ideas... I would be a dangerous man indeed. And I would get a setting of 4 mats as the plactic ones are getting harder to find these days. They're popping out cloth ones for the most part now.

If you do borrow from the wife... you better have stealth shoes on when you do it as the consequences of getting caught are grave. My wife suspects her mat is in my shop but just hasn't spotted it... Yet! :D

Good luck....

Sarge..