Table saw missing riving knife/blade guard (2024)

FAQs

Is riving knife needed on table saw? ›

Riving knives are also fitted to some hand-held electrical circular and powered miter or cross-cut saws (known generically as "chop saws"). As of 2008, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that all new table saw designs include a riving knife.

Amputation – The high speed large diameter rotating blade poses significant risk of amputation. Body parts must be kept out of path of blade at all times. No adjustments to cutting angles, fences or stops should be attempted until the blade has come to a full stop.

Belt-driven saws with exposed belts and pulleys should be guarded with a sturdy cover over the belts and pulleys. OSHA has specific rules for table saw guarding that are described in 29CFR1910. 213 and 1926.304. In general, blade guards are required on table saws whenever ripping or cross-cutting is done.

Never reach over the saw to obtain something from the other side. When shutting off the power, never attempt to stop the saw quickly by shoving anything against the blade. Make sure the saw has stopped before leaving it. Never make any adjustments to the saw while it is running.

A riving knife must be fitted and adjusted to within 8mm of the blade. As well as acting as a back guard this stops the wood from closing up onto the blade and being ejected.

In summary, a good splitter or riving knife should be just a bit thinner than the thickness of your blade kerf. Safety should be easy and trying to use a splitter that is too thick is a step in the wrong direction.

Kickback is a major hazard with table saws, occurring when the piece of wood being cut gets pinched between the saw blade and the rip fence. This causes the wood to be forcefully ejected back towards the operator at a high speed. It can happen very quickly and unexpectedly, posing a significant danger to the user.

A blade guard is a safety feature on band saws designed to cover the exposed portions of the blade when not in use or during cutting, protecting the operator from accidental contact with the sharp, moving blade. Blade guards also help to contain dust and debris generated during cutting.

Even though a riving knife is effective in reducing the possibility of a kickback, it cannot prevent it entirely, which is why it is always advisable to follow the basic rules of use for a table saw.

While table saws are versatile and essential tools for many woodworking tasks, they also have some disadvantages. Common drawbacks include the risk of injury due to the exposed blade, limited portability compared to handheld tools, and the need for adequate space and setup for safe operation.

How important is a riving knife on a track saw? ›

On a track saw, the riving knife projects below the saw's base when the plunge mechanism is engaged, and it serves to keep the kerf of the cut open behind the blade. This way, should the workpiece's kerf close up during cutting, due to stresses in the material, it can't pinch the blade and lead to a dangerous kickback.

Never defeat the guard to expose the blade. For example, tying back or removing the guard. Before starting a circular saw, be sure the power cord and extension cord are out of the blade path and are sufficiently long to freely complete the cut.

In a manufacturing shop, the OSHA General Safety Orders mandate guards and anti-kickback devices be installed on table saws.

Leave safety devices in place and intact on the saw. Never remove, modify, or defeat guards. Keep your free hand away from the blade (Figure 38-1). Whenever possible, select the lightest tool or the tool with the least vibration.

Table saws are widely considered the most dangerous power tool, and approximately 30,000 blade-contact injuries require medical treatment each year in the United States. About 4,000 result in amputations that can be career-ending for some professional carpenters and contractors.