Craftsman 100 TS Restoration (Safety Options)

[toddmp]

Hi All, glad I found this place.

I am currently restoring a Craftsman 100 (113.29992) TS and I would like to know if there are any Riving Knife options for such an old saw? I see I can add a splitter to a zero clearance insert but boy would I feel safer with a riving knife. I am new to table saws so a bit jittery about using them. I have watched a ton of safety videos online but until I get this machine up and running and am able to practice, I am looking for safety options that can be added to the machine. I understand the best safety options are knowledge and awareness at all times while the machine is plugged in (running or not).

Thanks for any help. todd

 

[woody 73]

I would think with that saw being so old you would have to fabricate one yourself; maybe on a slight chance a woodworking store might have a kit, you would need to call around.

Hope this helps you out:

http://www.garymkatz.com/ToolReviews/riving_knife.html

 

[nine4gmc]

In for info, I have the 80 model and looking for a 100. Had to google Riving Knife so it shows what I know...

 

[zkling]

The factory guard had a splitter built in, quite a few folks have built small knives for those saws. Someone even produces one, but they are silly expensive IIRC.

IMHO they are not necessary. But like many modern safety features, the masses seem to think life didn't exist before their invention. Do a search on google for old craftsman table saw riving knife, there are many a plans out there.

 

[Fretters]

It's nowt you couldn't make quite easily with nothing bar basic tools and a piece of metal sheet of suitable thickness. Take safety videos with a pinch of salt, btw. Yes, pay attention to safety and use common sense, but with the way a lot of stuff is these days, they're liable to have you thinking you'll lose a limb just by switching something on. As long as you have an ounce of gorm, simple common sense will tell you what's safe and what's not.

 

[Packard V8]

The setup of the saw, alignment of the rip fence , choosing a good blade and using push sticks are the important factors. A riving knife is just idiot-proofing. I've been using Craftsman and other brand table saws for fifty years without a riving knife on any one of them.

jack vines

 

[toddmp]

thanks all for your words. I will look up some plans for a knife. I think I will stick on a splitter and call it a day. Like I said its my first table saw so I am being overly cautious.