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Blade Guard &
Splitter/Riving Knife
The term "blade guard" refers to the assembly
that consists of the guard and splitter/riving knife
assembly (see Figure 68). Each of these compo-
nents have important safety functions.
Guard
Splitter/Riving Knife
Figure 68. Blade guard assembly components.
Understanding the Blade Guard
The guard encloses the top of the blade to reduce
the risk of accidental blade contact and contain
flying chips or dust.
The guard is designed to lift as the workpiece is
pushed into the blade, remain in contact with the
workpiece during the cut, then return to a resting
position against the table when the cut is com-
plete. When installed and properly maintained,
the guard is an excellent tool for reducing the risk
of injury when operating the table saw.
To ensure that the guard does its job effectively, it
MUST be installed and adjusted so that it moves
up and down properly to accommodate workpiec-
es and maintain coverage over the blade.
Understanding Splitter/Riving Knife
The splitter/riving knife is a metal plate that pre-
vents the freshly cut pieces of the workpiece from
pinching the backside of the blade and causing a
kickback. It also acts as a barrier behind the blade
to shield hands from being pulled into the blade
if a kickback occurs and the operator is reaching
behind the blade. (Reaching behind the blade is a
major safety risk and should not be done).
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To ensure that the splitter/riving knife works
safely, it MUST be aligned with and cor-
rectly adjusted to the blade.
When to Use Blade Guard
The blade guard assembly MUST always be
installed on the saw for all normal through cuts
(those where the blade cuts all the way through
the thickness of the workpiece). Operating the saw
without the guard increases the risk of kickback or
blade contact. If the blade guard is removed for
specific operations, immediately replace it after
those operations are complete.
When Not to Use Blade Guard
The blade guard cannot be used for any non-
through cuts (those in which the blade does
not cut all the way through the thickness of the
workpiece).
IMPORTANT: Whenever the blade guard cannot
be used, the riving knife MUST be installed.
Sometimes the blade guard or its components
can get in the way when cutting very narrow
workpieces or other specialized cuts. Because
the blade guard is provided to decrease your risk
of injury, it should not be used if it gets in the way
of making a safe cut. Use good judgment!
Blade Guard Installation & Removal
The blade guard fits over the splitter/riving knife
and is secured in place with an M10-1.5 x 25 cap
screw and an M10-1.5 lock nut (see "Mounting
Screw" in Figure 69). These are the only fas-
teners that need to be installed/removed when
installing or removing the blade guard.
Figure 69. Blade guard mounted to splitter/riving
knife.
Model G0820 (Mfd. Since 12/16)
Mounting
Screw
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