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New retro-fit kits let you add riving knife to some General tablesaws

Tom Begnal, associate editor, retired

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General Manufacturing has just announced riving-knife kits for their 10-in., 3hp, cabinet saw models 350 and 650. The kits contains everything needed to add a riving-knife to those saws. That means, if you own one of them, you won’t have to buy an entirely new saw to enjoy the safety benefits of a riving knife.

The kits fit only 3 hp, General models 350 and 650. They do not fit other saws from General or any other manufacturers. If you have the 5hp version of those General saws, you can still add a riving knife, but you need to modify the motor shaft. For details about the modification, contact the technical service department at General.

Each kit includes a:

• cast-iron saw-chute assembly.
• cast-iron arbor-bracket assembly (with arbor) with built-in quick-release riving-knife mounting-block/receptacle.
• high-profile riving-knife/blade-guard assembly with anti-kickback pawls.
• separate low-profile (shark fin) riving-knife.
• new table insert.
• step-by-step installation manual and DVD.

The announcement from General included this cautionary note: “Because of the major redesign of the saw that was required to incorporate a “true” riving knife (that raises and lowers in tandem with the blade), this retro-fit does require a fairly complicated partial disassembly, swap out of some of the major internal components, and then re-assembly and re-alignment of the saw. Due to the technical nature of the work involved, it is recommended only for those who have a higher level of mechanical aptitude or a background that includes experience with machinery repair.”

The kits; no. 350RNK (for model 350) and no. 650RNK (for model 650) sell for $599. For more information, and for a list of distributors, go to www.general.ca.

Tom Begnal

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Comments (3)

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Posted: 2:20 am on August 5th

Breaddrink writes: I'm absolutely stunned by the cost of this 'upgrade'.

I spent a considerable amount of money on this saw, and though my experience lies with only a few table saws in this class, the Generals blade protector was the worst I've ever used, along with being the hardest to adjust.
I agree enormously with the previous comment on how this should have been there in the first place, and to add this kind of cost to an already enormously expensive tool is just insulting to your customers.

600 dollars...Wow. I mean. WOW.

TO those of you who may read this who already make a retrofit knife for several saws (B.O.R.K.), this is yet another reason why almost all general owners would buy yours instead of this one.
I've seen people yelling about how it's 150 price tag is ludicrous. Try 600 guys. Gah. Just sickened.
Posted: 5:33 am on July 9th

smithm writes: It's hard to believe that a large machinery company can justify making money on retrofit safety equipment that should have been in place beforehand. I guess they are atleast now recognizing the importance/demand.
Posted: 11:45 pm on April 21st

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