Thread: After market splitter for old 12" saw

I made a splitter blade out of old saw blade steel but any metal (of the right thickness,at least as thick as the saw blade but less than the kerf) should do. Bevel the leeding edge and ensure it lines up with the blade. It does not need to be fancy. A lot will depend on how it is mounted to the machine. Have you a pic of that bit?
I cut mine with a cutting disc in an angle grinder and shaped on a bench grinder. Saw steel is hard so if I made another I would pick something else. It is only a splitter blade without pawls or a guard mount. When I find the right bit of metal I will do a propper one with guard mount as well.
Regards
John

Here is a pic of the broken guard, it has obviously been out in the weather for a while.

The mounting bracket was pressed over 90 degrees so I spread it a touch with a tap of the hammer on the bend and it now lines up closer to square. It was also offset to the blade, but adding a thin washer packed the splitter out to line up better with the blade. I took to an old saw blade with the angle grinder and cut a new splitter blade. I added the blade guard but it is not much use as the broken perspex just digs into the timber rather than lifting over it. I'll have to get some perspex offcuts and fashion something more serviceable. I haven't added the anti kickback thingies yet.

I think I'll still keep a lookout for one of the easily removable splitters though.

Micro Jig Splitter

Hi Pat, I've seen these micro splitters advertised as I said in the first post. However not having any real experience to go by, I'm assuming the trouble of making zero clearance inserts and fitting these isn't somewhere I want to go at the moment. I'm just looking to use the saw to break down larger boards.

To use the micro splitter I would also presumably need to work out some other form of blade guard and there is no provision for anti kickback pawls.

Has anybody on the forum used the micro splitter and can give a review?

I've got the Micro Jig splitter fuzzie and it works as advertised, the hassle in making a zero clearance insert is something you would probably benefit from anyway so no harm there, the install of the actual jig is easy with the supplied guide. You just have to make sure you get the right size pack for your blade, comes in a thin and standard kerf size.

As for the overhead guard you could go all the way with Micro Jig and get their gripper ( Micro Jig | GRR-Ripper® | The Ultimate 3D Pushblock System | Safety and Precision on the Tablesaw| How to Cut Wood | Table Saw Cutting | How to Table Saw )