I’ve posted here a fair bit about my Felder K700 which I’ve grown to love over the past year building my latest dory. But I still use my old PM66 for long rips (sometimes up to 12-14’’ for gunwales, chines, frames, etc.). After getting nailed by a plywood kickback a few years ago (my fault, poor technique) I started using a magnetic feather board, and then the board buddies which mount on the fence.
My saw doesn’t have a riving knife and I’m thinking about getting a Sawstop (mainly b/c other people, friends, kids use my shop and I’ll feel better about the liability).
I’m happy with the ripping. Even when set loose the board buddies and feather board add quite a bit of resistance to pushing. This has been true from the start, not a new thing, and is with a newly sharpened rip blade which is well aligned. Last week at a friends shop with a SS, ripping was much smoother and easier. He pooh poohed the board buddies and said with a riving knife usually not necessary. Didn’t use a feather board either.
I’m curious how many others use the board buddies or other safety accessories , even if on a saw with riving knife?
Thx. Jon