Makita LS1013 - "Kerf Block" Whats that then????
 

Hi I've just bought a Makita Ls1013 sliding mitre saw. Supplied with it
is something called a "Kerf Block" which is semi circular and
supposedly screws just behind the fence in the middle, in line with the
blade.

The manual is complete gobblydegook on this section, except from where
to put it.

Could someone who has got a LS1013 tell me what is this for and when I
would use it?

Also worryingly if the blade is pushed right towards the fence it will
neatly slice the "Kerf block" in half!!!!

I've tried tinternet to no avail.

Thanks in advance

Graham

Graham
I've just bought a Makita Ls1013 sliding mitre saw. Supplied with it
is something called a "Kerf Block" which is semi circular and
supposedly screws just behind the fence in the middle, in line with the
blade.

I would suspect its a splitter or riving knife equivalent. I'd guess it's
to stop the cut closing up when its with the grain. A 'kerf' is the width
cut by the blade.

I'd imagine its meant to move with the blade.

Or maybe I'm talking complete Jackson Pollocks not having seen
it...............

Dave

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi I've just bought a Makita Ls1013 sliding mitre saw. Supplied with it
is something called a "Kerf Block" which is semi circular and
supposedly screws just behind the fence in the middle, in line with the
blade.

The manual is complete gobblydegook on this section, except from where
to put it.

Could someone who has got a LS1013 tell me what is this for and when I
would use it?

Also worryingly if the blade is pushed right towards the fence it will
neatly slice the "Kerf block" in half!!!!

I've tried tinternet to no avail.

Thanks in advance

Graham


It's to stop the back edge of the cut from splintering if you are doing
really fine work. You will need a new kerf block for each different angle.
If you need to, use the one supplied for 90 degree cuts only, but it's not
really necessary to use it at all.

In article ,
says...
Graham
I've just bought a Makita Ls1013 sliding mitre saw. Supplied with it
is something called a "Kerf Block" which is semi circular and
supposedly screws just behind the fence in the middle, in line with the
blade.

I would suspect its a splitter or riving knife equivalent. I'd guess it's
to stop the cut closing up when its with the grain. A 'kerf' is the width
cut by the blade.

I'd imagine its meant to move with the blade.

Or maybe I'm talking complete Jackson Pollocks not having seen
it...............

Dave



No its more of a zero clearance insert as used on a table saw to support
the material being cut close to the blade. It helps eliminate
splintering. Bosch supply a smilar insert for use on their jigsaws
--
Paul Mc Cann

Thanks for the replies everyone, I can see now that its probably to
stop splintering and for cutting smaller pieces.

I've not checked but surely to cut thru the piece would still involve
slicing into the block, or is it set slightly back from the fence. If
it is, I can't see how this would stop splintering.

Graham

On 19 May 2005 01:35:34 -0700, wrote:

I've not checked but surely to cut thru the piece would still involve
slicing into the block,

It does. You make a "zero clearance" insert out of it, by cutting it in
situ. It supports the edge of the timber right up to the sawblade.

Of course it only works for one blade position.

Kaiser wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi I've just bought a Makita Ls1013 sliding mitre saw. Supplied
with it
is something called a "Kerf Block" which is semi circular and
supposedly screws just behind the fence in the middle, in line with
the
blade.


It's to stop the back edge of the cut from splintering if you are
doing
really fine work. You will need a new kerf block for each different
angle.
If you need to, use the one supplied for 90 degree cuts only, but
it's not
really necessary to use it at all.


I've always used scrap wood with the workpiece for this, it gives a
much cleaner edge by stopping the breaking / splintering. I gather from
the description that the kerf block would prevent any loss of cutting
cpacity that a bit of scrap would produce.


NT