Riving Knife - Shop fox W1851 Owner's Manual

Riving.Knife
The riving knife works in the same manner as the
spreader on the blade guard assembly. It is a metal plate
that prevents the newly cut workpiece from pinching the
backside of the blade and causing kickback.
The key difference between the spreader and the riving
knife is that the riving knife mounts below the blade's
highest point of rotation, as shown in Figure.56.
The height difference between the riving knife and the
blade allows the workpiece to pass over the blade during
non-through cuts (those in which the blade does not cut
all the way through the thickness of the workpiece).
The riving knife acts as a barrier behind the blade to
reduce the risk of hands being pulled into the blade if a
kickback occurs.
The riving knife must be kept within the range shown in
Figure.57. Therefore, we only recommend using a 10"
blade for operations that require use of the riving knife.
How to Install Riving Knife
The riving knife is installed in a similar manner to
the blade guard and spreader. Refer to Blade Guard
Assembly on Page 37 for installation instructions.
When.to.Use.Riving.Knife
Use the riving knife for all non-through cuts made with a
standard table saw blade (i.e., dadoes or rabbet cuts, and
when using a tenoning jig), or when using a 10" diameter
dado blade.
Also, use the riving knife for those special operations
where the blade guard or its components get in the way
of safe operation, such as with very narrow cuts.
When Not to Use Riving Knife
DO NOT use the riving knife with a dado blade that has
a diameter smaller than 10". Otherwise, the riving knife
height will exceed the blade height and the workpiece
will hit the riving knife during the cut, forcing the
operator into a dangerous situation of trying to turn the
saw off with the workpiece stuck halfway through the cut.
In addition, although it is possible to use the riving knife
for through cutting operations, the blade guard offers
far more injury protection and risk reduction than the
riving knife. Therefore, we strongly recommend you use
the blade guard assembly instead of the riving knife for
through cuts.
Model W1851 (For Machines Mfd. Since 10/17)
Minimum 1mm
Maximum 5mm
Figure 56. Example of height difference
between riving knife and blade.
Top Distance
Minimum 3mm
Maximum 8mm
Bottom Distance
Figure 57. Example of allowable top and
bottom distances between riving knife and
To.ensure.riving.knife.works.safely,.it.
MUST.be.aligned.with.and.correctly.
adjusted.to.blade..Refer.to.Page.72.to.
check.or.adjust.riving.knife.alignment.
-40-
Height Difference
Riving
Knife
Riving
Minimum 3mm
Maximum 8mm
Table
blade.
Knife