Shark Guard Table Saw Blade Guard Deep Dive Examination
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- Опубліковано 19 лют 2020
- Shark Guard is a premium after market blade guard that can fit virtually any saw. One of the things that attracted me to it was that it was the closest thing that I could find to a retrofit riving knife for my older Delta Unisaw. Information can be found here: www.thesharkguard.com
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Great video ... about 12 or so years ago I purchased and completely rebuilt a UniSaw which was manufactured in 1958. Mine did not come with a single safety feature and so I did a lot of research and purchased a Shark Guard. Yours has some nice upgraded features that I don't have but mine is 85% the same as yours. After using it for more than 10 years I can absolutely give this product my highest recommendation. First, dealing with the company was great. My saw is so old I required some parts to achieve proper installation, what ever help I needed was immediately provided. Second - after 12 years of steady use and miles of lumber run through my saw the Shark Guard works exactly the same as it did on day one ... not only that but it even still looks the same ... almost like brand new. I bought mine with 4" integral dust collection port and between that and a dust extraction that I built into the lower part of the cabinet plus a home made motor cover I get virtually no dust what-so-ever. Also, I will mention that I have never had an instance where dust collection system suction was a problem (I have a powerful cyclone system hard piped in my shop) because I have a blast gate that I can "throttle" if cutting lite, thin material. So, based on 12 plus years of direct experience, during which I've not had a single, solitary problem, I would tell anyone who is considering purchasing this product ... do it, now. I researched them all and can enthusiastically report that this product delivers on every performance claim ... and then some. Keep up the good work.
Great testimonial. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Cheers, Paul
I've inherited an old Unisaw myself and am going to be picking it up from my in-laws soon. Any info on how you setup your dust extraction or any info on forums/etc? It's missing the motor cover so I'm thinking something could perhaps be fabricated up to fit there?
You could definitely build a box to replace the missing cover. Should be straightforward. In terms of dust collection I made a 6” port out of PVC pipe and MDF and I attach flex to that. The inside of my cabinet stays super clean. Those big open cabinets require a lot of CFM so it really helps to run 6” if your DC has enough umph.
This is the very best video anyone has done for us Paul. Thank you so very much. All of your videos are excellent. They leave little to discuss.
Thank you 🙏! Love this product and your company is great to work with.
how can I find the web site? I want to get a shark guard for my delta unisaw
I have had a Shark Guard on my JET table saw from the early release of the product. Like you I didn't use the manufactures blade guard and that always made me nervous. I can't say enough good things about the company and their customer service, it is amazing! Nice video, keep them coming.
Thanks for sharing your perspective on the product and feedback on the video. Cheers, Paul
Nice, concise review. If only it didn't cost more than my saw, but worth it anyway.
Thank you. Yes, good quality and additional safety is rarely cheap.
Safety first! Glad to see videos like this promoting good habits.
Thanks Emerson!
Excellent job all the way around. Thank you, Sir.
My pleasure Steve. Thanks for watching. Cheers, Paul
Very good video, I like the quality of the Shark guard
Thanks TW!
I like the adjustment on the riving knife. Too many saws sold in the UK have small openings for the insert plate and so, have very poor adjustment possibilities.
I had riving knives made for me - different thickness and heights for the different kerfs of the blades. Always slightly lower than the blade (the knife mechanism is connected to the blade arbor and so rises and falls in tandem). Always wider than the blade thickness but narrower than the blade tips.
I wanted an overhead guard which provided safety; very good dust extraction; allowed non-through cuts easily and was thin overall so that ripping thin pieces were as easy as possible. That’s a list that’s impossible to meet the best in each requirement but I’m happy with the compromise.
Firstly, the whole guard is on a pillar secured to the ceiling but adjustable up and down depending upon the thickness of the timber to be cut. The core of the guard is 2 pieces of ply glued together - about 38mm (1.5”). Either side is 6mm acrylic for maximum vision. The dust extraction hose is 100mm (maximum extraction) attached to the side of the guard (it can’t fit directly overhead without going down to a narrow duct or widening the core of the guard).
Very, very happy with it. The only modification I’m going to do is attach a torch to it so that I get a really bright light on the cut when I need it. Downside? The only one really is that, if I’m cutting strips of, say, 1” then I have to have the guard raised up higher so that I can get the push stick to locate safely. Therefore, on these narrow strips, extraction is compromised but not by that much.
My whole dust system is a 3 phase extractor with fixed 8” ducting going down to 4” as near the relevant machine as possible with blast gates at the point of the tube reduction. If interested, there are a few pictures on instagram - Martin.Cox.1840.
Sounds very cool. Thanks 🙏
I've got an older Grizzly and this might do the trick, I especially like the quick lock on the adjustment of a riving knife! Thanks for posting
I think it would probably work well for that saw, Doc. If you contact them they will know. Very good people to work with.
Thomas it will work. Very similar saw. The mounting block for the old 1023s are the same.
I have an Delta X5 unisaw that I bought new back in the day. I've seen this advertised but I have to say this was a great demo. I'm going to purchase one. Not sure I need the top mounted hose option. I'm happy with the dust collection I have just running through the bottom. By the way my old guard caught the edge of some stock and twisted and shattered as it came in contact with the blade. Scared the poop out of me. Your right in saying it was flimsy.
Hi Len, thank you. I still haven’t hooked up dust collection to mine either. I have a 6” duct hooked up to the cabinet and it gets most of the dust. I know it would be better if I hooked it up on top, but I just have other priorities for now. You’ll like the Shark Guard.
Nice review, Paul. I've considered the shark guard for years, mostly for the dust collection, but have yet to pull the trigger
Thanks Charlie. It’s pretty sweet. I regret not doing it sooner. I might have 10 instead of 9.8 if I had. 😌
Paul really went over the top with this for us. Call us or shoot an email our way and we can work something out. Call is best emails don't always go through. Paul talked to me on the phone for a long while making sure this would work for his saw. I encourage everyone to do the same.
@@sharkguard2897 Wow, thanks!! I will definitely contact you when I'm ready to upgrade!
What a nice little critter for the saws that don't have the niceaties of that 1.
Exactly. I think of all the older unisaws, powermatic P2000s, Jets, Grizzly, etc. Lots of saws could really use something like this.
Hi Paul...your video was a very informative and I thank you for that! I'm consider purchasing a Rockwell Unisaw 34-803 (mfg circa 1984) and a group that I posted to were mostly against me going that route. I'm not very experienced in woodworking but anxious to get the right tools needed. Will this guard work when going tilt/bevel? I'm right handed and being told that cutting using the tilt (towards the fence) is a quick way to lose some fingers...if not worse. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!!
Hi Dave, as long as it’s in good shape that’ll be a great saw. Extremely well made. Make yourself a tall push shoe to keep your hands away from the blade. Also make sure that your fence is slightly tapered away from the blade to avoid kickback. Also take a look at the video that I made on the thin rip sled. That’s a good way to keep your fingers away from the blade. This blade guard will be a great upgrade. I bet they sell tons of these to users of old unisaws. Yep it’ll work as you tilt.
How much space does the guard take up? I routinely cut 1.5" strips for flags and I obviously use a push stick to get it through the blade and fence. I'm not sure if there would be enough clearance.
Great review!
Thanks. There's about 3/4" from the blade to the outside edge of the guard. So, you'd have about 3/4" between the guard and the fence. You could either make a slim push shoe, or you could use a sled like this one: ua-cam.com/video/Sd8KLMYNQ5w/v-deo.html
Great video as usual. Side note- are you feeling ok? Sounds like you’re really gasping for breath.
Thanks Drew. Yep I feel great. Not sure what is sounding like a gasp. But thanks for your concern.
Paul, tell me more about your choice of aligning the splitter to the right of the blade. Why didn't you just center the splitter over the blade? I have a 1960s unisaw, 34-450. I ask this question because I get a drag on the splitter when I rip a piece. It looks to me that my saw blade is ever so slightly askew (out of alignment with the splitter). Using the thinnest splitter might save me from re-aligning the blade to the trunnion. thanks
You only have to do that if your splitter is substantially thinner than your blade, and the reason is the keep the play minimized on the fence side. If the splitter is the appropriate width for your blade, you should center it.
I’m pretty sure I have the same saw as you Delta 36-L31X? Shark is asking the Trunnion bolt size. I have no idea what this is? Can you help?
That’s not the same model number that I have. I’d think they could tell you what to measure.
I have a Ridgid TS 2424-1 table saw - will this unit fit on my table saw?
Hi Gary, probably so, They can fit it to almost any saw. But you'll have to check with the guys at Shark Guard. Great bunch of guys, and they'll get you set up with exactly what you need. Cheers, Paul
Where do
I order One? Thanks. Mick
www.thesharkguard.com/
Would love to get one of these but they cost almost as much as a new saw
Decisions, decisions. Great to have options. When I compare my American made Unisaw to new saws, I’m thrilled with the option to add a shark guard and continue to use the saw that I love. If you don’t love your saw and you can get one that you like better for the cost of a blade guard then get a new saw (as long as the new saw includes a blade guard that is high quality and easy to remove and install.
@@ToolMetrix I have an old Craftsman 113.299130 (12" 220v machine I got for free). I love it.. but safety is out the window with it. I would love a saw stop but I don't do enough that I can really justify it. I did put a safety hip switch on it though
I totally understand. Great idea on the hip switch. Keep your eyes peeled for a used Unisaw or contractor saw. Great upgrade and sometimes you can find a good deal.
Tu salud vale más que eso
I can't believe they are actually using 3D printed parts?! From my experience, these will NOT stand the test of time in a work environment. I hope you get the files when you purchase so you can print replacements when they fail. Having said that, this does look like a good system. I just found a 34-450 UNI and the guards did not come with.
This thing sure feels like it’s built to last. You’ve got yourself a sweet saw. I bet you won’t regret putting a Shark Guard on it.
I purchased a Shark Guard for my old Delta unisaw, but have not installed it yet. Seems a bit confusing to me. Can you show how you did the install in more detail? My saw is a 34-801. Thanks. JJ
Sure. contact me on FB or Insta and I'll send you a pic. It's been a long time since I installed it, so I don't really remember the process, but it wasn't hard in my case. The Shark Guard guys are amazing and customer service as well, so don't hesitate to contact them and they can help you through it.
@@ToolMetrix Thank you!! Will do so in a few days. Appreciate your assistance.
The stuff about the riving knife was not clear. He refers the thickness of the blade but does that mean the plate or the kerf. The knife is not meant to be the same thickness as either. That is incorrect
Sorry that I wasn't clear. You want the splitter to be slightly thinner than the blade; not the same. You tell the Shark Guard people what size blade that you use, and they provide you with the correct sized splitter.
This product only uses about $30 to $40 of material - why does it cost $250.00?
Hi Mark, Material cost is not always the main contributor to price in a business model. Value is what someone is willing to pay. Is there a product on the market that you feel provides comparable quality for less money? Have you come across many SG customers who regret spending the money that they did on the product?
Multiply that by 4 is about the material cost on some packages. Then 7 CNC machines, employees, taxes, bills, etc. Tack on 2020 supply shortages and we probably need to raise prices. One customer put it to me like this..... $25 per finger is a heck of a deal.
That’s a great way to look at the cost!
Shark Guard will this fit a right tilt 1957 Unisaw ?
Probably but I’d suggest contacting them at www.thesharkguard.com/