On Fri, 4 Nov 2005 08:09:10 -0000, "Jeff Gorman"
wrote:


"wayne mak" wrote

The Unisaw that I bought has the tongue behind the blade to split/anti
kick back the wood, how many people use this? It would seem it would help
keep the wood against the fence. My dad who has been wood working for ever
and has written books for fine wood working doesn't use one and see's no
reason too. But it seems to me that it would help make a clean cut any
thoughts?

The purpose of the riving knife is explained on my web site.

Please look at Circular Sawbench Safety - Riving Knife.

The 'tongue' might be a splitter, a less effecive device that can allow too
great a gap between itself and the up-running teeth.

Jeff G


yep, riving knives are better than splitters.

however, there are a large number of very fine old tablesaws in north
america for which riving knives are not an option. on my 40 year old
powermatic it's not a matter of what can be purchased commercially-
there really is no way to mount one.

a homemade splitter is better than no splitter, and really does go a
long way to prevent kickback.