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LeeWay Workshop |
November 21, 2008 |
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Options and accessories
There are a few options that you should be aware of when placing an order for a Shark Guard or related products. Some items come with the standard or basic package while others are an accessory or option. I do this because there are so many variables in the way people work and how they have their DC setups, that not everyone wants or needs the same things. In an effort to provide custom items where you only pay for what you want, options will cost more than just the basic package. This method seems to work well because the Shark Guard is a complete blade guarding system with many features. Some of these features can be purchased seperately to use a stand alone safety aids or time savers.
Like table saws, packages for various models do differ in price. Some difference in pricing has to do with the type saw it is and some varies because the material and supplies needed to produce them are greater. For this reason, I have a seperate order page for each model of saw I currently have designs for. Pricing for each of these is located at the bottom of each model page. You will also find a link to installation instructions on each models page. You can find nearly all pertinent links on the main page,
but you may have to scroll to the bottom to see them all.
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2.5 inch dust port
The basic or default Shark Guard is a 2.5 inch dust port model. Currently the version number for this is 9.0. These are for 10 inch table saws with splitters and 10 and 12 inch saws with a riving knife. The image shows what a 9.0 shark guard looks like without the clamp and splitters or riving knife.
This version works very well with a wet/dry vac. Most vacs of this type with a 2.5" hose will fit snuggly either inside or outside this dust port depending on brand without the use of an additional fitting. This size also works pretty good if you have at least a 1.5 HP dust collector and use a reducer from 4 inch down to 2.5 inch. This scenario isn't optimal, but works well. It mainly depends on the type of cutting you do and the rest of your DC system. Here is a
Link
to how some guys have hooked up their DC systems to the shark.
While there, please be sure to read comments from Bill Pentz and check out his website and the Clear Vue website as well. Bill's site is packed with valuable information about anything related to dust collection and clean shop air. This info is not easily available anywhere else. He spent a tremendous amount of time and research so that we may benefit from it.
This basic model comes with a set of three splitters for those saws that are splitter equipped. They may just come with one riving knife instead. You have a choice of thicknesses on these. Here
is a little help in making the thickness selection. You can make that selection in the Paypal cart drop down menu on each order page. You will also be able to select the colors of some of the metal parts in the same fashion, however all splitters and riving knives are semi-gloss black powder coated.
Along with splitters, your model may come with additional brackets or ratchet handles to make changing the splitters tool less. These extra items are also noted on each order page in the shopping cart.
The shark face decals come standard with both the 2.5 inch and the 4 inch port Shark Guards. I don't apply these myself, but they are easy to apply. The new ones are simple waterslide decals like we used to use (or may still do) on plastic models. Application instructions for these are here.
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Shark Tail Hook
The Shark Tail Hook. at the back of these guards come standard on all models at no extra cost. These have typically been all red in the past, but I am starting to coat some of these the same color as the clamp and I like the way they look when done that way. All black and red models will have a red tail hook and other colors will vary until I get this down a little better. If the color is important to you, just let me know.
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4 inch dust port Mega Mouth Shark Guard option
The 4 inch port has become a very popular option and likely provides the best overall dust collection. This is an option that costs an additional $15 over the basic package. This model is designated 9.4. This Paypal cart item can be found below the standard package on each models page and can be selected by adding it to the Paypal checkout cart. This essentially adjusts the price of the basic package to the 4 inch upgrade package.
Guys have stated that the dust collection from these ports may be too good. It wants to pick up small off cuts and let them sling around inside the guard. This is highly undesirable, but can be remedied by the use of a blast gate. Close off the blast gate some when you know you will have such off cuts. This will temporarily reduce the extreme suction you can get through this port and allow safer cutting where small parts are left.
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Anti-kickback pawls option
Pawls are an option with an additional cost of $7. They also have their own paypal cart item to be added to the base package. Not everyone wants or would even use these. This is why I don't force them on anyone and they are easily removed or installed.
I personally think these are redundant on saws with a riving knife, but some guys do like them. If you run a business, then OSHA mandates that you have them. They can be useful on saws equipped with splitters rather than a riving knife. Unless it is in a commercial setting, these are pretty much just personal preference.
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Brass blade shims option
I offer brass blade shims for use on some saws. Some saws are really a bear to try to align the splitter or riving knife mounting bracket to the blade. These help with this type of issue. They are an additional $5 cart item.
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Splitters or riving knives only
I offer splitters and riving knives without a guard for those that either have an overarm DC or those that don't want a guard. Info on varous packages for these can be found here.
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Whale Shark replacement covers
I now offer several models of replacement baskets for those that just aren't satisfied with what shipped with your unit. These are also for guys that want to design and build their own mounting arm support. Dust collection is very good out of these as well and a blast gate should be used with them. The various models of the Whale Shark can be found here.
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What's next?
On the horizon and still in R&D is a roller under the front of the sharks instead of just a solid rod. I don't yet know how well this will work, but if it works well enough, all models would come standard with these. I have ordered some new materials to see which might work best. Keep your fingers crossed on this. I think it would really make a nice feature. (Update on the rollers- I have still not found a good enough solution on these. I will continue to test new materials and ideas and perhaps one day this may come about.)
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