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USING THE SMART GUARD SYSTEM
The Skilsaw Smart Guard has been designed
for modularity, enabling the use of multiple com-
binations of the three main components – 1)
Riving Knife / Splitter, 2) Main Barrier Guard,
and 3) Anti-kickback Device (Fig. 41). Addition-
ally, the riving knife can be quickly adjusted to
three positions, depending on the application
requirement: through cut (high), non-through
cut (middle), and dado (lowest). The three pri-
mary components of the Smart Guard blade
guarding system are designed for rapid attach-
ment, adjustment, and/or removal without the
need for additional tools. Any Smart Guard
components that need to be removed to com-
plete a cut should be immediately reinstalled
when finished. See “Attaching the Smart Guard
System” for detailed installation instructions. Al-
ways remember that the best accident preven-
tion is the operator’s use of common sense and
alertness at all times when using the table saw.
C
B
A
1
2
3
FIG. 41
Riving Knife / Splitter
The Riving Knife (splitter) is the central element
of the Skilsaw Smart Guard blade guarding sys-
tem, serving as the attachment point for both the
Main Barrier Guard and the Anti-Kickback De-
vice. In the event that the Main Barrier Guard and
Anti-Kickback Device are removed, the Riving
Knife maintains its functionality as a material
splitter, and can be quickly adjusted to three po-
sitions (through cut A, non-through cut B, and
dado C), depending on the application require-
ment, (Fig. 41). Because of this adjustability, the
riving knife can be appropriately positioned for all
cutting applications.
The Riving Knife (splitter) can be easily adjusted
to one of three heights by re-moving the table
insert, raising the blade to its full height and re-
leasing the riv-ing knife release lever at the base
of the Riving Knife. The Riving Knife should be
locked in its through cut (highest) position for use
with the Main Barrier Guard and Anti-Kickback
Device. It can be adjusted to its non-through cut
(middle) position for use as a material splitter
without the Main Barrier Guard and Anti-Kick-
back Device. In the event that the Riving Knife
cannot be used for a specific cut or for use with
a dado blade, it can be adjusted to its dado (low-
est) position, placing it 1" above the table surface
when the blade is at its full height.
Main Barrier Guard
The main guard is comprised of a pair of plastic
barriers attached to the metal upper barrier guard.
The side barriers (one to the left and one to the
right of the blade) operate independently of one
another, maintaining maximum blade coverage
during cutting operations. The main guard incor-
porates a quick-connect attachment point and can
be attached or removed from the blade guarding
system independent of the Anti-Kickback Pawls
and Riving Knife / Splitter.
The Main Barrier Guard component can be quickly
attached and detached through the use of a quick
release lever. The guard is attached by seating
the crossbar into the top of the Riving Knife / Split-
ter and engaging the locking lever. Following this
process in reverse, the guard can be easily re-
moved for special operations, such as dados or
rabbets.
FIG. 42
Basic Table Saw Operation
