Confession

[Glen]

After pluging all the safety issues I have to confess.
I don't use the splitter/blade gaurd that came with my T.S. I find it a nuisance, cumbersome, even a safety hazard in of itself. I use safety glasses, pushs sticks, etc. Try running dados on sheet material with that on there. I'm aware of the after market gaurds with the long extension arms, but...frankly don't want to spend the money. In fact more often than not i see them up on top of some shelf or cabinet or not at all.

Thoughts?

[Tom]

I agree.......even though the guard would have prevented an accident in which I nearly cut my thumb off, I still don't use it. I too find it cumbersome and a nuisance.

[MadMark]

I too do not have a guard on my TS. For the same reasons you've all cited. I prefer to be able to *see* the blade at *ALL* times while it is spinning. I have been looking at some overhead guards that might work well. They're basically an arm with a clear box that covers the blade. Since they're attached to something other than the back of the saw, you can do dado's and rabbeting and grooving w/o having to dismount them.

M

[GaryMc]

Agree that every TS guard I have ever seen (including the overhead ones) are either a hazard in themselves or are useless if you insist on getting body parts too close to blade or within target range in case of flying missiles. I use all sorts of aids to keep fingers, etc., FAR away from blade and potentially flying objects. Agree with Mark - staring down at those "naked" 24-80 razor sharp teeth is a wake-up call from the get-go, and an alarm really sounds when they are moving toward you at 100+ mph.

Always ensuring positive support of any piece, I have never had a kickback in 25+ years, but the closest was when I still had the blade guard/antikickback pawl on the saw - the piece hung up on the pawl and the presence of the guard meant I had to twist the push sticks awkwardly. Maybe those devices should be called "Totally Stupid" guards and "antikickback preventers."

[henry]

i don't think anyone uses them not even norm

[Glen]

Norm uses a disclaimer stating its removed for camera purposes.
You do know "Norm's" shop is actualy located at the producers home.

[Sonny Edmonds]

I too don't use a splitter/guard. Too damn dangerous!
I do use a versa feeder though. But bear in mind that it could drag me into the blade. Talk about geeting your T_t in a wringer!

About "Norm": I personally dislike (Hate) these TV ACTORS who claim they do the projects.
Hells Bells, they are off getting the make-up fixed while a real craftsman is doing the work for the next shot.
Ever see one of them actually do it all from start to finish? NO!
And you never will!
Imagine sitting in front of your TV waiting for the glue to dry,
BA-Hummbug!
Pablum, it's just all pablem for the armchair warriors.
If it's too cold in the shop, I'd rather fiddle on the net.
Norm, Bob, the few times I have watched these ACTORS I've seen many mistakes and misinformation. oh poo on them all, time to pull the clamps off!
Sonny
http://home/earthlink.net/~sonnypie/

[Lou_williams]

Sonny,

This is the second time today you and I will have to disagree. Norm is not an actor. He does all of the woodworking on the show, sets up all the cuts and designs the projects.

There is not a group of assistants that do the real work. I have talked to a couple of people that have worked on the show. The only other people there are TV crew. He does make one and figure out all the settings and makes the mistakes on the "prototype" Then they set two days for filming and it is a go. He makes the settings might run a test piece through the machine and then they turn on the camera. I have some experience in Video editing and Know that there is lots of work by the techies after the filming to get everything into a 28 min show.

But, you might not like what he does or what tools he uses, or how pays the bills but he cuts the wood.

And if you get a chance to meet him he is real foke. Not star type at all.

[Glen]

Lou,

Take this for what its worth, hell even foward it to Norm himself.
I went to a book signing "fest" at Hammar Hardware in Nashua, NH
some years ago intending on buying an autographed book. There was one other person in the store, the lower tool crib,
I walked up to the table he was using. He was standing talking to the store manager at the table.I got a cursory glance and they walked away, to go to lunch I believe.
My first thought was "you rude, arogant, pompous ass. Its pretty much still the way I feel. So I've never bought any of his books and never intend to. And don't care to build any of his projects.I have remained indifferant towards him and his show since, I show I wouldn't have missed in the past is now usualy passed over.
Don't bother trying to sell me the "he's only human" routine. What is done is done and what was done was rude.

Glen

[Sonny Edmonds]

Thank You Glen!
Nothing speaks louder than truth and experiance.
My opinion stands and always will.
I have been exposed to the real as well as the pompass here near Tinsel Town.
Some actors are real nice, same as you and me, folks. But there IS a lot that goes on behind the "Scenes" the public actually views.
I've even stood as a safty observer during the use by producers filming here and at other facillities I have worked at.
Sonny

[Lou_williams]

Glen,

Good input, There is nothing like personal experience. If it had happened to me I would have the same reaction.

Lou

[Glen]

Lou & Sonny,

My personal experience shouldn't be construed as a stab at Norm's talents. Can't take that away from him, He is a master carpenter. I just don't get wobbly at the knees over him or worship him like some. Had this experience never happened I may have a whole differant perspective.


Glen

[Lou_williams]

Glen,

Lets face it we all have had a bad day or two when we might of done or said something to P**s someone off. But, I would also be upset if that happened at a book signing when you are there to talk and sign. If you had run into him and his family at a non work related event I would not be offended.

I do respect his skills and have learned a lot from his shows. There are a few things in each show that I think, wow now that is an interesting way to do that.

I won't stop catching his show, I don't set the VCR for it but if I am channel surfing and find it I would rather watch sawdust even from the other actors out there than some stupid sitcom.

All the same your experience is a real mark against the guys character.

Sonny,

I grew up in LA, And a lot of why I don't live there now is what you describe. It is not just the entertainment industry down there. It cuts accross lots of the culture.

Norm is in Boston. I have spent lots of time out there different cutlture.

Just my 2 cents.

[Sonny again]

Bad day or not, a man in Norm's stature and who so many revire him and what they can learn from him should NEVER EVER have let what happened to Glen happen.
And I haven't always lived in SO. CAL. Even though I was raised in the SFV. 20 miles from my present (and last) home.
I've been around enough to know this is the right place for me. Basking in the sun, not freezing my arse off and dealing with small minds running in small circles.
I've even lived in Wyoming for 7 years. No. Cal. for 4, and been many elsewhere's.

Snobbery can be found anywhere. I've seen it here as well, right here in this forum.
All one has to do is to browse the responces to the postings to see it. Take a head count and look at the time/date info.
But I also know where the plug is.
I choose to persist in the quest of helping others. Like it or not, agree or don't, and sometimes to interject some humor into the infantile clammer I've encountered.
It is quite appearent that some folks don't do as much wood working as they appear/profess to.
I'm a busy man at home, I love my shop and my wife loves the fact that she has me around and injoying my shop. I'd rather be home with her near and puttering in my shop over anything else.
But when I must be here at work, away from my life's treasures,
I'll banter with the best of them.
Culture? By golly, funny YOU should ask...
Counter point Lou? It can only get more honest from this end.
Sonny
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie

[Lou_williams]

Don't disagree with anything in your post Sonny. It is funny how there are only a few people here that try to give good solid answers to questions.

But, lots of folk that have strong opinion on a few subjects.

Like I said. I agree with your post. Even about Norm.

[Sonny]

Thanks Lou!
I gotta go drill my router insert for tonight's progress.
Probably be talking to you tommorrow.
See what kind of fresh meat appears to naw on.
See You then.
Respectfully,
Sonny

[Glen]

Sonny, Lou

I think what may come off as snobbery is masked frustration. How many best T.S. questions do you want to answer before asking someone if they bothered to browse this forum. A lot of times I find the questions come from shear laziness. No effort put forth at all they just take the collective experience of a forum such as this for granted. I often feel like responding with something along the lines of "You can best apply this product as indicated by the instructions on the can". And more often than not no reponse or feedback to those that offered their experience(s)is given. Thats why I had posted the 'Great Reference' posting awhile back in an effort to curtail some of the where can I get
this or that from, argh!!! If this makes me one of those snobs so be it, I'll wear the branding. But my god people, browse the magazine racks, order those catalouges, most are free!! Take a class, or would you rather someone else spends the coin and time
then passes it on. Howmany tool\trade\home shows have you attended? etc. etc. Sorry guys, I don't warm up to laziness. I try to respond when I can contribute or feel as though I can. I also try to pass on a tip or two now and then to contribute. And when I err I pass that on to for those who can learn from others mistakes.
Whether I was an intended target of Sonny's last or not I feel better for venting.

Glen

[Sonny]

OK guys,
My only hope is to leave this planet a better place. Sometimes we all exibit less than the best we can be. I know I do and will be one of the first to admit it.
I try to show friendly and "how I did it's" in what I post, but the bigest trouble with the written word over the spoken word is the method of delivery and the message can get skwed and taken wrong.
I like you Guys! And I like this forum! That's why I come back day after day.
Shucks, look at my name plastered all over the place, too.
Just like the dull 14" blade remark, sometimes I leave a jagged cut.
My intent is to say "Hey, take a look at yourselves as well." If you can see any snobbishness in what you wrote, chances are others can see it too.
I'm real damn lucky you haven't kicked my butt out, really. But the information exchange is probably the greatest here, in this forum as anywhere anyone of us could name. Even if it sometimes cuts a bit close to the bone.
My sence of humor is to kick a butt and then leave'um laughin'.
Open minds, we need to have open minds so we can share what we belive and have lived.
I openly appologise to all and any I may have offended. But there is food for thought there as well.
I don't mean to be a splinter, but I might cause some pain in the process.
My views may differ, quite often even, but it's a forum where we can express experiances without interruption in the thought process.
I only respond to what I think I may be able to offer a point of view from my experiance or what I have found along my lifes path.
Lou and I have had some pretty "loud" exchanges. But I respect him, I respect his life's experiances, and I value what he writes.
Just as I do each one's postings.
I do think that for one to think "thier way" is the cats meow and anything else needs to have a foot put on it is BS. Like my comments to the pipe sales pitch for DC. I felt right off it was a low blow to try and Advertise on a forum. So I challenged, was answered, here and in email, and I slammed back.
What the poster could have learned is that some of us out here do for ourselves and it actually DOES work. Then we try and share it.
My way is to give it away, heck it comes to me free. Why not give it away so maybe, just maybe, somebody else might be able to get an idea from it.
I'd bet there's a thousand years of real life experiance here between us all, maybe more.
We just need to get it out in a useable manner, and to avoid banter about how much or how many.
Shucks, run what ya got, how you came to get there is really only a personal trip. Doesn't make it the best, doesn't make it the worst. I don't belive anything is a POS. A POS is calling it a POS. It was what you learned from and grew from. Don't you think so, too?
Anyway, just think about what we write, and lets be friends. NOT competitors.
Afterall, we are all different grains and have different knots.
Together we can be a beautiful project in the working, rather than splitting seams and warpage.
Don'tcha reckon?
Sonny
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/

[Lou_williams]

Glen,

In all of your posts and I have read every one of them since you first started to post on this forum. I for one have never found a bit of snob in them. As a mater of fact, you have been one of the ones I was talking about in terms of trying to help answer peoples questions.

You input has helped me, I have learned from you and I for one respect what you have to say.

Including the vast majority of your last post. I also pass over some posts from people that haven't got the slightest clue of how the internet works and how to look first and ask second.

I have been on the net for years mostly for work. There are lots of people that don't understand that there is a structure to this place with rule of conduct just like in the real world.

I will most likely answer another TS question but... I would just as likely tell the poster to read the archive first.

Glen,

It is a mark of your humanity that when we talk about others you see it as yourself. The people that it might have been targeted at would not have a clue that they were the target.

Lou

[Glen]

Think I needed to vent, my teflon suite was at the cleaners.
Sonny, hope you didn't think I sniped at ya. Ida swung but you were to far away, haha.
Now i gotta go cleanup that stupid barrel thing I was trying, so I can make some $$ and feed the family.

Glen