Table saw missing riving knife/blade guard (2024)

Flyover

Trying not to screw things up worse
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
2,159
Reaction score
2,302
Location
Oh Hah
  • Aug 8, 2021
  • #1

I acquired a table saw from the side of the road. Kobalt 10" jobsite table saw, looks barely used. Model kt1015. However it is missing the riving knife and blade guard.

Lowes no longer sells these table saws, and I can't find parts for it on Amazon, eBay, or any of the first few tool replacement parts websites that come up when I search.

Are riving knives and blade guards somewhat interchangeable, so I could buy one from a different manufacturer and it would fit this saw? What's the best way to get that part?

Eddie_T

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2015
Messages
3,386
Reaction score
3,297
  • Aug 8, 2021
  • #2

Older saws don't even have them and a lot of woodworkers get rid of them because they continually get in the way.

Flyover

Trying not to screw things up worse
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
2,159
Reaction score
2,302
Location
Oh Hah
  • Aug 9, 2021
  • #3

@Eddie_T OK but this table saw definitely comes with one when you buy it new (or did back when Lowes sold it), and I'd rather have the option to remove a safety feature I feel I don't need later on than not have one in the first place.

Flyover

Trying not to screw things up worse
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
2,159
Reaction score
2,302
Location
Oh Hah
  • Aug 9, 2021
  • #4

I'm missing parts A (blade guard), B (anti-kickback pawls), and X (riving knife). So, they exist somewhere, but I can't seem to find them anywhere. If I could only get one of those parts I'd want the riving knife (well, especially since the other two attach to the riving knife).

I see there's a similar-looking OEM one sold on Amazon but it says it's for a Dewalt tablesaw. They look so identical I wonder if it would fit my Kobalt. Or if I could buy it, use it as a template to fabricate my own from sheet metal with whatever necessary customizations, then return the one I bought...


^^ Dewalt OEM on left, Kobalt user manual excerpt on right.

oldognewtrick

In memory of
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
12,138
Reaction score
2,157
Location
Nashville, TN
  • Aug 9, 2021
  • #5

Call dewalt customer service and ask if they made the kobalt saw. I'm sure kobalt is just a store brand.

Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
2,159
Reaction score
2,302
Location
Oh Hah
  • Aug 9, 2021
  • #6

oldognewtrick said:

Call dewalt customer service and ask if they made the kobalt saw. I'm sure cobalt is just a store brand.

Kobalt is Lowe's store brand. That's a good idea, I wonder if Dewalt made the table saw. I could look at Dewalt's jobsite table saws and see if there's one that looks identical in general. (Calling customer service is an option, but I consider it a last resort because I am averse to navigating robo-answering machine systems and waiting on hold.)

B

BuzzLOL

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2015
Messages
1,301
Reaction score
937
  • Aug 10, 2021
  • #7

The Kobalt is prolly made in China... Kobalt is supposed to be a more expensive step up brand from Harbor Freight's house brand, but they're not. I have a Kobalt air impact wrench says 750 lb.-ft. of torque, but more like 100... more than the HF's '230' claim that is more like 80, but still... not worth 3-4 times the price...
My Dad's table saw he used since 1940's never had a guard...

Jeff Handy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Messages
1,006
Reaction score
396
Location
Chicago suburbs
  • Aug 10, 2021
  • #8

Was your dad’s nickname “Lefty”?
Just kidding! Table saw missing riving knife/blade guard (10)

Flyover

Trying not to screw things up worse
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
2,159
Reaction score
2,302
Location
Oh Hah
  • Aug 10, 2021
  • #9

BuzzLOL said:

not worth 3-4 times the price...

Great review but my price was $0.00, and even if I have to buy a $35 riving knife it's still a better deal than I'm likely to find anywhere else.

Thinking of just fabricating my own anyway, now that I've got some experience cutting sheet metal from my dip station project. Even the small sheets they sell at Menards are big enough to make a second one if I mess up the first.

Eddie_T

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2015
Messages
3,386
Reaction score
3,297
  • Aug 10, 2021
  • #10

Maybe print the picture to size and cut it out of card stock (or glue to cardboard) for a trial fit.

Flyover

Trying not to screw things up worse
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
2,159
Reaction score
2,302
Location
Oh Hah
  • Aug 11, 2021
  • #11

Eddie_T said:

Maybe print the picture to size and cut it out of card stock (or glue to cardboard) for a trial fit.

That's a great idea. If I can find a picture that's to size...

Eddie_T

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2015
Messages
3,386
Reaction score
3,297
  • Aug 11, 2021
  • #12

Flyover said:

That's a great idea. If I can find a picture that's to size...

Maybe scale a picture until mounting holes aline?

Flyover

Trying not to screw things up worse
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
2,159
Reaction score
2,302
Location
Oh Hah
  • Aug 11, 2021
  • #13

Think I might buy a Dewalt riving knife to use as a template, keeping Dewalt's packaging and receipt handy...

A

adamh87

New Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2024
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Usa
  • Feb 9, 2024
  • #14

Has anyone found a viable replacement option? I’m in the same boat.

slownsteady

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
7,212
Reaction score
1,481
Location
South Hills, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Feb 11, 2024
  • #15

working table saws rarely get left at the curb. Before you start buying parts, see if it works.

A

adamh87

New Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2024
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Usa
  • Feb 11, 2024
  • #16

slownsteady said:

working table saws rarely get left at the curb. Before you start buying parts, see if it works.

Same boat, meaning I’m in need of a riving knife.
Saw works great.

slownsteady

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
7,212
Reaction score
1,481
Location
South Hills, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Feb 11, 2024
  • #17

Wikipedia reports that Kobalt power tools were made by Chervon. Have to dig a little deeper to find out other brands they made.

slownsteady

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
7,212
Reaction score
1,481
Location
South Hills, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Feb 11, 2024
  • #18

From the Chervon website:
Ego, Flex, Skil, Devon and X-tron

P

PJB12

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2023
Messages
557
Reaction score
404
Location
Detroit, MI
  • Feb 12, 2024
  • #19

Maybe, as mentioned earlier by EddieT, make a cardboard template. When you're done fine tuning it, take it to a sheet metal shop to have one made.

Or, perhaps have one 3-D printed or water jet cut. Or, even buy a sheet of polycarbonate and cut one out with a fine tooth coping saw blade.

To me, it sounds like a really good reason to buy a 3-D printer.

Paul

PS: Often used tool parts show up on Bonanza for sale.

T

tomtheelder2020

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2020
Messages
410
Reaction score
160
Location
95620
  • Feb 18, 2024
  • #20

Your replacement riving knife does not need to be metal. Much easier and cheaper to make one from wood:

You must log in or register to reply here.

Table saw missing riving knife/blade guard (2024)

FAQs

Can you use a table saw without a blade guard? ›

In general, blade guards are required on table saws whenever ripping or cross-cutting is done. Some OEM guards on cheaper saws don't work very well due to the fact that they are secured to the saw behind the blade with a thin metal blade called a splitter to help prevent kickback.

When must the blade guard be removed before operating a saw? ›

Leave safety devices in place and intact on the saw. Never remove, modify, or defeat guards. Keep your free hand away from the blade (Figure 38-1).

Does OSHA require guards on table saws? ›

Hand-fed crosscut table saws. Each circular crosscut table saw shall be guarded by a hood which shall meet all the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section for hoods for circular ripsaws. Circular resaws. Each circular resaw shall be guarded by a hood or shield of metal above the saw.

What is the purpose of the guard on a table saw blade? ›

A plastic barrier guard is suspended over the blade to prevent inadvertent blade contact from above, the sides and the rear. The standard style guard is supported by a splitter or riving knife. A splitter/riving knife is a thin piece of steel, located behind the blade.

What is the #1 danger when using a table saw? ›

Amputation – The high speed large diameter rotating blade poses significant risk of amputation. Body parts must be kept out of path of blade at all times. No adjustments to cutting angles, fences or stops should be attempted until the blade has come to a full stop.

Why should you never stand in line with the blade on the table saw? ›

There are a number of things you can do to avoid kickback on the table saw and reduce the likelihood of anything bad happening. – Body position: never stand in-line with the saw blade. You want to be out of the line of fire. – Never stand between the miter slots.

Why do table saws kick back? ›

Kickback is a major hazard with table saws, occurring when the piece of wood being cut gets pinched between the saw blade and the rip fence. This causes the wood to be forcefully ejected back towards the operator at a high speed. It can happen very quickly and unexpectedly, posing a significant danger to the user.

Why remove riving knife? ›

I will say this again: a riving knife PREVENTS most of the kick backs from even taking place. A sensor only prevents a bloody outcome while also increasing the frequency of kickback in the first place... For folks that removed the riving knife the sensor is a nice addition.

How important is a riving knife on a track saw? ›

On a track saw, the riving knife projects below the saw's base when the plunge mechanism is engaged, and it serves to keep the kerf of the cut open behind the blade. This way, should the workpiece's kerf close up during cutting, due to stresses in the material, it can't pinch the blade and lead to a dangerous kickback.

How far should a riving knife be from the blade? ›

A riving knife must be fitted and adjusted to within 8mm of the blade. As well as acting as a back guard this stops the wood from closing up onto the blade and being ejected.

What is the purpose of a blade guard? ›

A blade guard is a safety feature on band saws designed to cover the exposed portions of the blade when not in use or during cutting, protecting the operator from accidental contact with the sharp, moving blade. Blade guards also help to contain dust and debris generated during cutting.

When can the circular table saw be used without the guard being in place? ›

Appropriate guards must be in place at all times. Never remove the guard. Ask one of the shop personnel for help if you think the guard is in the way. If the piece of material you are cutting is large, get someone to assist in tailing-off for you.

For which operations may the guard of a table saw need to be removed? ›

There are cuts (dado, rabbit etc.) that cannot be made with the guard in place. If you do not put your fingers or hands in the area covered by the guards when they are on the saw you can't get cut.

What is the purpose of the hood guard on a table saw? ›

Controls. FIX adjustable hood guards to all benches, large enough to cover the blades, to prevent contact with blade and access underneath the machine table.

What's the purpose of the device covering the blade on a table saw? ›

You should know that OSHA defines what I call a guard as a blade cover. I choose to continue calling these guards since they block or impede a person's hands from contact with the rotating saw blade.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 5237

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.