JPG40504
08-27-2010, 03:55 PM
I am not here to say that it is appropriate or that it is safe! I have not done this enough to make those comments. However, I had to see for myself.
I had a small plywood project pending so I decided to mount the plywood blade from my circular saw on the Mark V and check it out.
Using the 7 1/4" blade, the ZCI that was on the table, with the upper saw guard mounted, I made several very successful and uneventful cuts using the smaller blade. CAUTION: The anti-kickback feature is inoperative with this set up. If this was to become a normal setup, it would be imperative that an appropriate riving knife be developed and it would be good to incorporate the anti-kickback pawls into that design.
As always, safely is an issue and one must be ever mindful that one can get seriously injured doing what we do for fun - and to just make a point.
10261
Considering the fact that I have operated my Mark 5 for almost half a century with neither of those 'devices' and have not experienced the hazardous event(s) they are intended to prevent, I can agree that it is feasible to use a smaller blade with caution.(unless one is of the mindset that devices and following safety precautions are what prevent 'accidents')
The plywood blade I purchased with my Mark 5 (from a SS traveling dog and pony show 'barker') was 8". Still use it rarely. Not too much larger than 7 1/4 "!
I had a small plywood project pending so I decided to mount the plywood blade from my circular saw on the Mark V and check it out.
Using the 7 1/4" blade, the ZCI that was on the table, with the upper saw guard mounted, I made several very successful and uneventful cuts using the smaller blade. CAUTION: The anti-kickback feature is inoperative with this set up. If this was to become a normal setup, it would be imperative that an appropriate riving knife be developed and it would be good to incorporate the anti-kickback pawls into that design.
As always, safely is an issue and one must be ever mindful that one can get seriously injured doing what we do for fun - and to just make a point.
10261
Considering the fact that I have operated my Mark 5 for almost half a century with neither of those 'devices' and have not experienced the hazardous event(s) they are intended to prevent, I can agree that it is feasible to use a smaller blade with caution.(unless one is of the mindset that devices and following safety precautions are what prevent 'accidents')
The plywood blade I purchased with my Mark 5 (from a SS traveling dog and pony show 'barker') was 8". Still use it rarely. Not too much larger than 7 1/4 "!