Why do throat plates have zero clearance?
It closes the gap from the metal insert that came with your saw which reduces the possibility of tear-out on your cuts. Most importantly, the zero clearance insert prevents small stock pieces from falling down into the blade well. This helps prevent kick-back which can be dangerous.
Can you use a riving knife with a zero clearance insert?
Creating the opening for the blade is pretty straightforward. But making the opening for a riving knife is a little more involved. Make your own zero-clearance inserts. Raise the blade 1″ or so and fit the zero-clearance insert over it and aligned with the factory insert, flush all around.
What material is zero clearance insert?
Sheet material made from phenolic resin is the current material of choice for woodworking jigs and fixtures of all sorts, and is the perfect material for a zero clearance insert. It lays flat, provides rigid support and wears like iron, but still can be machined using the tool you already have in your shop.
What is the difference between a riving knife and splitter?
A riving knife goes up and down with the blade, so it’s always the same distance from the back of the blade. A splitter does not raise and lower with the blade, so as you lower the blade, the gap between the blade and splitter increases.
Can you add a riving knife to a table saw?
But if your table saw doesn’t come with one, fret not — with a little wherewithal you can add a riving knife to almost any table saw. Riving knives mitigate such catastrophes by preventing the stock from touching the blade as it rotates up out of the table.
What does zero clearance mean in woodworking?
They can permit a “clearance” (required distance) to combustible framing (such as wood studs or plywood floors) as low as zero inches. Zero clearance simply means “0” inches are required between the fireplace and combustible materials.
What is the purpose of a throat plate on a table saw?
Speaker 1: Every table saw has one of these removable throat plates, and these metal or plastic throat plates make it easy to access the blade for blade changes, and they work fairly well for general cutting, but they have an overly wide slot in them to provide enough clearance for the blade to be tipped to an angle.
What is a dado insert?
What is a dado insert? Dado blades are wider than a standard blade and, depending on the width you need for your project, are too wide for the standard throat insert on your table saw. (I use my dado often for projects like building cabinet doors.)