I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

No, gets in the way.

"Samson" wrote in message
...
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

"Samson" wrote in message
...
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

Is this a trick question? I don't use it for the same reasons you don't use
it.

Tim wrote:
"Samson" wrote in message
...
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

Is this a trick question? I don't use it for the same reasons you don't use
it.


I don't use one.

The reason the book says otherwise is because putting it in print, with
your name on it, is a good way to get sued into destitution.

--
BigEgg
Hack to size. Hammer to fit. Weld to join. Grind to shape. Paint to cover.
http://www.workshop-projects.com -
Plans and free books - *Now with forum*

"bigegg" wrote in message
...
Tim wrote:
"Samson" wrote in message
...
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

Is this a trick question? I don't use it for the same reasons you don't
use
it.


I don't use one.

The reason the book says otherwise is because putting it in print, with
your name on it, is a good way to get sued into destitution.


The reason the book says otherwise is because it's the right thing to do.

Locutus wrote:
"bigegg" wrote in message
...
Tim wrote:
"Samson" wrote in message
...
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?
Is this a trick question? I don't use it for the same reasons you don't
use
it.


I don't use one.

The reason the book says otherwise is because putting it in print, with
your name on it, is a good way to get sued into destitution.


The reason the book says otherwise is because it's the right thing to do.



Well, *obviously*.
Except when it's not the right thing to do

The simple fact is that it's up to the operator whether he uses a guard
or not - his choice, his risk, and his responsibility.

Unfortunately, some people make the choice, take the risk, then try to
make someone else responsible - hence any media (whether Norm with his
"safety guards are removed for photographic purposes only" (even whilst
cutting dadoes) and "there is no more important safety rule than to wear
these: safety glasses" (when they plainly aren't, since they have no
side guards), or the OP's book which insists on using guards "whenever
possible") will always cover itself to remove the risk of being held
responsible.


--
BigEgg
Hack to size. Hammer to fit. Weld to join. Grind to shape. Paint to cover.
http://www.workshop-projects.com -
Plans and free books - *Now with forum*

"Locutus" wrote in message
...

The reason the book says otherwise is because it's the right thing to do.


Yes, it's the right thing to write to keep from getting sued.

The first time that you put your finger or hand into the spinning blade,
it will make a lifelong believer of you to use that blade guard.

I was a young and stupid teenager when I did it, and the only thing that
saved me, and only left me with a scar, was that I had just as stupidly
put the blade on backward.

Remember this, it is not a question of IF, it is a question of WHEN!!!

Zap

bigegg wrote:
Tim wrote:

"Samson" wrote in message
...

I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

Is this a trick question? I don't use it for the same reasons you don't use
it.



I don't use one.

The reason the book says otherwise is because putting it in print, with
your name on it, is a good way to get sued into destitution.

"zap" wrote in message
link.net...
The first time that you put your finger or hand into the spinning blade,
it will make a lifelong believer of you to use that blade guard.

I was a young and stupid teenager when I did it, and the only thing that
saved me, and only left me with a scar, was that I had just as stupidly
put the blade on backward.

The sure way not to get cut is not to stick your hand in the blade.

Remember this, it is not a question of IF, it is a question of WHEN!!!

For you, maybe.

In article .net, "CW" wrote:

"zap" wrote in message
hlink.net...
The first time that you put your finger or hand into the spinning blade,
it will make a lifelong believer of you to use that blade guard.

I was a young and stupid teenager when I did it, and the only thing that
saved me, and only left me with a scar, was that I had just as stupidly
put the blade on backward.

The sure way not to get cut is not to stick your hand in the blade.

Quite true -- and keeping the guard in place makes it less likely that you
will do that.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Well My Friend, There are some who can, and will, learn by what others
have experienced, but there are always some who insist on learning the
hard way, insisting that they just have to do it their way.

Every one of us who got cut up on a saw, or banged up on a motorcycle
was sure that it would not happen to us, we were just too good and
careful.

Have fun in the Emergency Room of the hospital, and when you come out,
please write and tell us about your blade guard and if it is still on
your shelf gathering dust.

I myself have no problem with you leaving your blade guard off, It's not
my fingers that will be gone, it will be like my son who lost his finger
just that way. Thought he could work faster without the blade guard, but
now is slower just because he is trying to make the other fingers (which
were damaged) still work. Well you have had enough warnings, now go
ahead and have your accident. It's your privilage to do so.

Zap

CW wrote:
"zap" wrote in message
link.net...

The first time that you put your finger or hand into the spinning blade,
it will make a lifelong believer of you to use that blade guard.

I was a young and stupid teenager when I did it, and the only thing that
saved me, and only left me with a scar, was that I had just as stupidly
put the blade on backward.


The sure way not to get cut is not to stick your hand in the blade.

Remember this, it is not a question of IF, it is a question of WHEN!!!


For you, maybe.

"zap" wrote in message
link.net...


Remember this, it is not a question of IF, it is a question of WHEN!!!


When I rode motorcycles, we used to say there were two kinds of riders,
those that crashed and those that were going to crash.
Use saftey equipment whenever possible.
Jack

On Mon, 23 Oct 2006 03:21:31 GMT, "Samson" wrote:

I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?


I use one with a splitter because it is safer than without. When
cutting dados--no guard.

In article , "Samson" wrote:
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

I do, whenever possible. The reason is simple: the blade is inside the guard.
If you keep your fingers outside the guard, they can't come in contact with
the blade.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

On Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:10:28 GMT, (Doug Miller) wrote:

In article , "Samson" wrote:
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

I took mine off 25 years ago and left it off util a year and a half ago. Then I caught my the first finger of my left
(non-dominant) hand in the blade. It was 95% off, just hanging by the skin and one small artery. After two hours
in the operating room and six months of physiotherapy, it is now slightly functional. It goes up and down but
it doesn't bend as the blade went through the PIP joint. My physiotherapist learned the word 'kerf'.

The blade guard has stayed on (except for dados) every since.

The pain in the finger is minor but ever-present. Cold weather bothers it a lot as the circulation is buggered up.
Getting older is going to be a bitch as it will become seriously arthritic.

If you insist on keeping the blade guard off, move to a country with socialised medical system.

Nigel

If you leave the blade guard off, don't stick your hand in the blade.

"Nigel Burnett" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:10:28 GMT, (Doug Miller) wrote:

If you insist on keeping the blade guard off, move to a country with
socialised medical system.

Nigel

Nigel Burnett wrote:
The blade guard has stayed on (except for dados) every since.

The pain in the finger is minor but ever-present. Cold weather bothers it a
lot as the circulation is buggered up. Getting older is going to be a bitch
as it will become seriously arthritic.


I use my overhead guard pretty much all the time and I still wait for the blade
to stop before I reach for things.

As for your particular situation, I had an incomplete amputation of my right
forearm many years ago in a plane crash... lost about 2" off each bone that had
to be regrown. Some nerves ultimately reconnected; others didn't. Luckily my
injury wasn't right through the joint as yours was but rather was midshaft.
Some encouraging words: the "barometric" effect you feel now gets much better
with time. In fact, everything gets better with time, except arthritis. That
you'll have to live with. At some point in the future if it becomes
debilitating you might consider letting them fuse your finger joint. But give
it time, because what you live with today will probably be much different in 5
years. I no longer have any trouble out of my arm; my hand just doesn't
supinate (rotate as if to cup). But I have no pain.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com

I'll side with Mortimer and Nigel. As a hand surgeon, I've probably
cared for close to 1000 table saw injuries in my career. (At least one
or two a week for the last 15 years.) So far, I have NEVER seen a table
saw injury in a woodworker using a guard. The cuts that are hard to do
with a guard (such as freehanding on the tablesaw - mentioned above)
ought to be rethought. (Some exceptions are dados on guards with a
built in splitter, and some thin rips.) I've heard every excuse -- "the
power was off and the blade was coasting", "I saw the blade but not the
teeth", and "I was just trimming a little bit. . . "

While few of these injuries are life-changing (although I've seem my
share of those), all are lifelong -- stiffness, cold intolerance,
barosensitivity, nail deformities, decreased sensation, regional pain
syndromes, cosmetic abnormalities, etc. In most patients they improve
with time, but do not always go away.

Needless to say, I use the guard user whenever possible. When not
possible, I look to other tools, or exercise even more care than usual.

David S.

Nigel Burnett wrote:

On Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:10:28 GMT, (Doug Miller) wrote:


In article , "Samson" wrote:

I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?


I took mine off 25 years ago and left it off util a year and a half ago. Then I caught my the first finger of my left
(non-dominant) hand in the blade. It was 95% off, just hanging by the skin and one small artery. After two hours
in the operating room and six months of physiotherapy, it is now slightly functional. It goes up and down but
it doesn't bend as the blade went through the PIP joint. My physiotherapist learned the word 'kerf'.

The blade guard has stayed on (except for dados) every since.

The pain in the finger is minor but ever-present. Cold weather bothers it a lot as the circulation is buggered up.
Getting older is going to be a bitch as it will become seriously arthritic.

If you insist on keeping the blade guard off, move to a country with socialised medical system.

Nigel

"David" wrote in message
...

I'll side with Mortimer and Nigel. As a hand surgeon, I've probably
cared for close to 1000 table saw injuries in my career. (At least one
or two a week for the last 15 years.) So far, I have NEVER seen a table
saw injury in a woodworker using a guard.

With all due respect to your profession, skill and experience David, I find
the above statement to be beyond belief. Saw guards are far from fool proof
and if you truly have seen that many table saw injuries, I find it very hard
to believe you've never seen a hand injury on a saw with a guard.

Likewise, I was a paramedic for 12 years in a rural area. In all of that
time I never took in a single patient from a table saw accident, though
there are plenty of table saws in garages and basements around here. For
you to attend 1-2 per week for 15 years, your experience is at the very
least, contrary to my own. Must be these people drive themselves in for
treatment?

I've heard every excuse -- "the
power was off and the blade was coasting", "I saw the blade but not the
teeth", and "I was just trimming a little bit. . . "


That I can believe. Isn't that the way that accidents go though.


--

-Mike-

Mike Marlow wrote:
With all due respect to your profession, skill and experience David, I find
the above statement to be beyond belief. Saw guards are far from fool proof
and if you truly have seen that many table saw injuries, I find it very hard
to believe you've never seen a hand injury on a saw with a guard.

Likewise, I was a paramedic for 12 years in a rural area. In all of that
time I never took in a single patient from a table saw accident, though
there are plenty of table saws in garages and basements around here. For
you to attend 1-2 per week for 15 years, your experience is at the very
least, contrary to my own. Must be these people drive themselves in for
treatment?


In nearly 15 years as an orthopedic nurse in a hospital setting, I can only
recall taking care of 3-4 table saw accidents myself. I saw what he wrote and
wondered but I didn't really think about it. Now you make me think about it.

Are all these guys outpatients?

I don't really want to question him since he's agreeing with my position but his
numbers are a bit odd. His conclusions, however, are right on. Obviously the
man is a genius. G



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com

I don't believe it.

"David" wrote in message
...
I'll side with Mortimer and Nigel. As a hand surgeon, I've probably
cared for close to 1000 table saw injuries in my career.

On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:02:05 GMT, "CW" wrote:

I don't believe it.

Nor do I. But at least it is more believable than the guy who was
posting on the Saw Stop thread that his wife was a surgeon that does a
thousand a year.

It doesn't correlate statistically with my experience as a maker of
saws in defense of personal injury claims and providing individuals as
technical experts in depositions.

This is an important matter. David should authenticate if it is true.

Table saws are inherently dangerous and all should be encouraged to
use their guards, splitters, and pushsticks whenever possible, and
their minds in all cases. UL/CSA standards committees should be
encouraged to provide standards that would allow manufacturers to
provide OEM guarding that is "practical" and effective. That has not
always been the case.

There was a time, and it may have changed I'm several years out of the
business, that the very good aftermarket guards no matter what brand
could not have been supplied as standard equipment with UL/CSA saws
because they didn't meet the standards. That doesn't make sense.

Frank

"David" wrote in message
...
I'll side with Mortimer and Nigel. As a hand surgeon, I've probably
cared for close to 1000 table saw injuries in my career.

Doug Miller wrote:
In article , "Samson" wrote:
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

I do, whenever possible. The reason is simple: the blade is inside the guard.
If you keep your fingers outside the guard, they can't come in contact with
the blade.


Bingo!

It is astonishing how many people (the "I have to see the spinning
blade to know it's there crowd") indicate they haven't figured that
out.

--

FF

Samson wrote:
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?


I use mine (except for dados).

I don't use a blade gaurd becuase they tend to get in the way and don't
allow for free hand cuts because you can't see where your cutting. I given a
lot of thaught to investing in a good gaurd though that was designed
properly instead of a cheap piece of plastic that is shipped with the saw
and the manufacterer knows your going to toss. I've learned the hard way
twice. Once while ripping some oak the wood kicked back and sent my middle
finger tip through the saw a few years later while working I had my sweet
shirt get caught, I wasn't hurt but the only way to explain it is.

"I was leaning over the saw when someone "karate chopped" the back of my
neck" the shirt got yanked hard and fast against my neck. The only reason I
caught it was because it had happened to my uncle years earlier and this is
how he discribed it. He was looking around the shop for some jocker, and
didn't catch it until he stopped for a coffee.

In article , "HotRod" wrote:
I don't use a blade gaurd becuase they tend to get in the way

The main thing they "get in the way" of is sticking your fingers in the blade.
I don't know about you, but I *like* anything that gets in the way of that.

and don't
allow for free hand cuts because you can't see where your cutting.

Nobody with any good sense does freehand cuts on a table saw anyway.
That's Table Saw Safety Rule Number One. It's *very* dangerous, just *begging*
for a kickback or worse. Save the freehand stuff for the bandsaw or scrollsaw.

I given a
lot of thaught to investing in a good gaurd though that was designed
properly instead of a cheap piece of plastic that is shipped with the saw
and the manufacterer knows your going to toss.

You should first give a lot of thought to learning how to use your saw safely.

I've learned the hard way
twice. Once while ripping some oak the wood kicked back and sent my middle
finger tip through the saw

And the cause of this was -- ? Were you doing a freehand cut, by any chance?
Was there a splitter installed on the saw? I'll bet not -- since the factory
blade guard on most saws is integral with the splitter, when you removed the
guard, you *also* removed the single most important component in preventing
kickbacks: the splitter.

a few years later while working I had my sweet
shirt get caught, I wasn't hurt but the only way to explain it is.

"I was leaning over the saw when someone "karate chopped" the back of my
neck" the shirt got yanked hard and fast against my neck. The only reason I
caught it was because it had happened to my uncle years earlier and this is
how he discribed it. He was looking around the shop for some jocker, and
didn't catch it until he stopped for a coffee.

I guess nobody ever taught either you or your uncle not to wear loose-fitting
clothing while operating power tools. Or not to lean or reach over power tools
while they're in operation.

Has it occurred to you yet that your shirt would not have come in contact with
the blade if you hadn't removed the blade guard?

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

"Doug Miller" wrote in message

"HotRod" wrote:
I don't use a blade gaurd becuase they tend to get in the way

The main thing they "get in the way" of is sticking your fingers in the
blade.
I don't know about you, but I *like* anything that gets in the way of
that.

That had most of the earmarks of a David Eisan type, joke troll.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/06

HotRod wrote:
I don't use a blade gaurd becuase they tend to get in the way and don't
allow for free hand cuts because you can't see where your cutting.

Uh, by 'freehand' do you mean without using either fence or miter?

If so, I daresay that is a feature, not a defect.

--

FF

"Samson" wrote in message
...
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

No I do not, but should I decide that I should, I'll buy a SawStop instead.

In article , "Leon" wrote:

"Samson" wrote in message
...
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

No I do not, but should I decide that I should, I'll buy a SawStop instead.

A guard is lot cheaper... g

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
m...
In article , "Leon"
wrote:

"Samson" wrote in message
...
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

No I do not, but should I decide that I should, I'll buy a SawStop
instead.

A guard is lot cheaper... g


LOL, yes, much cheaper. But I like to see what's going on and I cut dado's
on the TS and that was the only time so far that I have been injured using
the TS.

On Mon, 23 Oct 2006 03:21:31 GMT, "Samson" wrote:

I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one?


Yes, Uniguard. Also has a very good splitter

Frank

"Frank Boettcher" wrote in message

Yes, Uniguard. Also has a very good splitter

Ditto ...


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/06

Biesemeyer overhead guard. It can not be used on every single
cut but it is there for every one that will work.

Samson wrote:

I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

Samson wrote:
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

I don't. The saw I have didn't come with one. I got it used and the
guard wasn't included.

I am however building an overhead guard for it. The guard I'm building
is made of 3/8 lexan on an overhead mount, It'll be wide enough that I
can also do dado's on it. For the plans just do a search on lexan
blade gaurd in the rec. There are several sites with the instructions.

I had a close call and was lucky that's all it was... Was doing a
series of cuts on several pieces, got too cozy with it and didn't shut
off between cuts, in the process of moving back across the blade the
wood brushed the blade.... ZING!!!! I did a quick inventory, got to
ten and decided a guard might be a good idea.

Samson wrote:

Question: Do you use one?

A shop-made overhead guard, made of Lexan. I built mine following a
woodcentral.com article, complete with a dust fitting.

My splitter is also shop made, consisting of a shop-made zero clearance
insert with a glued in a white oak splitter. I have different versions
for different blades.

"B A R R Y" wrote in message
et...
Samson wrote:

Question: Do you use one?

A shop-made overhead guard, made of Lexan. I built mine following a
woodcentral.com article, complete with a dust fitting.

Does your's resemble the pictures on WoodCentral? I ask because their's
looks loike it is connected to the ceiling.

Mike

Mike wrote:
"B A R R Y" wrote in message
et...
Samson wrote:
Question: Do you use one?
A shop-made overhead guard, made of Lexan. I built mine following a
woodcentral.com article, complete with a dust fitting.

Does your's resemble the pictures on WoodCentral? I ask because their's
looks loike it is connected to the ceiling.


Yes and yes!

The main differences a the top plate of mine is maple (I ran out of
lexan G), I used 6-32 cap screws (I had them) and I used a 3" threaded
PVC connector as the dust port, which takes a 4" hose nicely.

I'm extremely happy with that guard and glad I built it. I like the
idea of screwing parts together without glue, in case a replacement is
needed. The saw is cleaner, too!

Hi,

I try to use the guard/splitter/antikick back thing when I can.
There are times such as when cutting dadoes when it does not work. I
have practiced installing and removing the guard so that the process is
relatively quick. Also I try to plan my cuts to minimize switching cut
types. I do not have a guard on my cutoff sled, mostly, because I have
not figured out a good design, that would not get it the way of my
product runs of 100 identical pieces.

With that said, my biggest safety feature has been the constant
training of myself to put my full attention on the saw if the blade is
spinning. If there is a distraction or I feel even a bit dazed or
tired, the saw gets turned off immediately. No "One more cut."

Thanks
Roger Haar

************************************************** *****************************
Samson wrote:
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?

I use a bladeguard any time it doesn't impede an operation and I
require 350+ college student shop users to do the same. Back when I
didn't have to set an example, I hated bladeguards as much as the next
guy, but after a few years of using 'em, I get uncomfortable when it
should be there but isn't.

Of course most stock guards are worthless and are thrown out for a
reason. Aftermarket overheads are pretty good or you can build your
own or just get a new saw (a good excuse for a new tool!!). The new PM
has a riving knife as does the sawstop. I think I recently heard that
riving knifes will be required on new saws in 09? (I'll check this out
at work tomorrrow) So if your looking for new equipment, you might put
it off to see what happens with this.

We use Beismeyer overheads. The cheezy adjustment bolts are removed,
so it's an easy slide of the telescoping tubes to tweak the location of
the guard or to push it out of the way for narrow rips.

We have SawStops, so the riving knives are ALWAYS(nearly) there,
invisibly making stock go straight and preventing binding. I actually
worry that our students will get into trouble if they use saws without
riving knifes in some other setting: the riving knives almost make
things too easy.

BTW: we have not changed any sop's with the advent of sawstops, they're
just another layer of protection.

I agree that watching the blade is not necessarily sound practice. You
really cannot discern what your stock is doing if your fixating on the
blade spinning 'round. If you're ripping, it's much more important to
keep an eye on the edge of your stock against the rip fence so that you
know that it's going straight and can adjust accordingly if it isn't.
The blade is going to spin and cut, you should be concentrating on
making the stock go straight.

I've got 2 unbending, shorter-than-the-other fingers due to an
unguarded tablesaw that I got into when I was in college. I've been
preventing it from happening to other students for 12 years now. Blade
guards (and sawstops) are a no-brainer.


If you don't use a guard you're just asking for trouble.

I don't care how experienced, careful, knowledgable or invincible you
are, WHY would you leave that spinning blade out in the open when you
can put something over it.

Kevin Groenke
University of Minnesota
College of Design - FabLab



Roger Haar wrote:
Hi,

I try to use the guard/splitter/antikick back thing when I can.
There are times such as when cutting dadoes when it does not work. I
have practiced installing and removing the guard so that the process is
relatively quick. Also I try to plan my cuts to minimize switching cut
types. I do not have a guard on my cutoff sled, mostly, because I have
not figured out a good design, that would not get it the way of my
product runs of 100 identical pieces.

With that said, my biggest safety feature has been the constant
training of myself to put my full attention on the saw if the blade is
spinning. If there is a distraction or I feel even a bit dazed or
tired, the saw gets turned off immediately. No "One more cut."

Thanks
Roger Haar

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Samson wrote:
I haven't used a blade guard for years, but was reading a book
today on table saws that insisted to use them whenever possible.

Question: Do you use one? If not, why not?