Zero Clearance Throat plate & Splitter

[cruttshome]

I recently set-up a new woodworking shop and added a 1 1/2HP Jet (Left Tilt/Cast table & Wings) contractor saw. I have plans to do alot of ripping on some salvaged pine floor boards so, I bought a great ripping blade (CMT 40 tooth) and just bought a Zero Clearance throat plate from Woodcraft. The plate is Corian and I get it that the way to set this up is: lower blade completely, install throat plate, turn saw on and raise blade to cut exact slot in plate - now you have a zero clearance plate.

My question: what about the splitter - mine extends down through the factory plate so there is a slot behind the blade slot for this. Do I need to also cut a slot into the new corian plate for installing the splitter OR is the idea with zero clearance plate to be able to remove the splitter and run without?

Advice appreciated...

[Violetlion]

IMHO, a zero clearance does NOT in any way negate the need for a splitter! All the ZC does it reduce tear-out by supporting the wood and prevent small cut-offs from slipping through the throat plate. I plan on making a few ZCs for my saw, but am a little concerned about how to get the splitter slot right, too. Maybe someone will tell us.
Be sure there are no ugly surprises in those floor boards..you wouldn't want to trash that new CMT blade!

[John Lucas]

Two thoughts. First, the 40 tooth is not a rip blade but a combination blade. For any ripping at all, use the CMT 24 tooth rip blade. It handles ripping much better and has an anti-kickback design to it.
www.woodshopdemos.com/safe-28.jpg">http://www.woodshopdemos.com/safe-28.jpg</a>

Secondly, there are a number of other devices that will make your ripping experience safer. I just installed the MJ Splitters on my plates...don't have pictures up on site yet but here is URL for the maker. http://www.microjig.com/MJSplitter.htm
http://www.microjig.com/images/Split...tfield/mj7.jpg

Lastly, my favorite ripping assistance comes from the Grip-Tite people. http://www.woodshopdemos.com/grpti-2.htm
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/grpti-35.jpg

Ripping can be safe.
John Lucas
www.woodshopdemos.com

[JohnP]

Place the factory plate on top of your new one, mark the locationfor the splitter slot and then cut with what ever saw you have.
JohnP

[BOB (Guest)]

Is the older feller there in the picture John Lucas himself?

[John Lucas]

Yep!!!
Now you know why I prefer to have pics with Beth or Andrea or Gail.

[Violetlion]

Hmmm...you know,I have been wondering why you have those pretty young gals as your "assistants", John! LOL