Replies

1. 
   wrf | Jan 01, 2008 10:22pm | #1

   Im using one on a jet RIGHT tilt

   better than the jet guard.. hey its mostly ON the saw when i use it.

   mounting bracket too high to allow use on bevelled cuts unfortunately; it pushes the throat plate up out of its slot (zero clearance insert)

1. 
   Blueline | Jan 02, 2008 08:30pm | #2

   Hey WRF, Is your, saw a cabinet or contractor, also, in your opinion can the splitter be converted to be used on a left tilt saw?

2. 
   slo | Jan 02, 2008 08:59pm | #3

   I don’t know if you have a saw that the biesemeyer splitter will work on but give it a look. I know it’s available for the left and right tilt jet cabinet saws.

1. 
   Blueline | Jan 03, 2008 02:04am | #4

   Thanks for the reply SLO, do you happen to know if its easily removable like the Merlin? It's that feature that greatly appeals to me.

1. 
   slo | Jan 03, 2008 02:46am | #5

   I use it on my cabinet saw and yes once installed it has a single spring loaded knob you pull to release it. If you would like I could probably figure out how to get a picture of it on the saw here

   Edited 1/2/2008 6:56 pm ET by slo

1. 
   Blueline | Jan 03, 2008 08:50am | #6

   SLO,
   Thanks for the heads up regarding the Biesmeyer splitter, I've done some research and actually like the product more and am leaning more towards this one instead of the Merlin. In addition it seems to be more of a "beefy" product and easier to use. No need to take any pictures, I do appreciate the thought though.
   Thanks for your help and input, it was very helpful!

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 04, 2008 09:38am | #10

   I've used the Merlin for quite awhile now, and while it's light-years ahead of any stock splitter from the blue-Jet days, the Biesemeyer appears to be even better vis a vis ease of use and stoutness.  I adapted a non-specified Merlin to my Jet contractor saw.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Blueline | Jan 05, 2008 03:23am | #11

   Forestgirl, If you had to buy a splitter now and it came between the two, you'd select the Biesemeyer if I'm hearing right? I'm now leaning to the other side, "again",HA! Now Woodcraft is having a clearance sale on the Merlin for half the price of the Biesemeyer. I'm trying to let my common sense prevail over emotion, i.e., Not buying the least expensive one. The only problem I have with the Biesemeyer is they don't offer a "thin kerf" model as I have a Forrest WWII blade. I did read a webpage and the user stated he had his machined down to the appropriate width. I suppose that is an option but I would have to factor that into the cost. Either I get it machined or get a full kerf blade, didn't I say something about common sense earlier? I'll keep you apprised of what I end up getting.

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 05, 2008 04:30am | #12

   The question I should probably answer is "Would you buy a Merlin splitter again?" and the answer is "Yes."  It's not that the Merlin is bad, it just appears to me that Biesemeyer is probably somewhat better.

   I bought my Merlin on sale, probably 3 years ago, not even sure if it would fit my saw.  It has made my woodworking life much, much better.

   If your saw is a 3HP+ saw (it's a cabinet saw, right?), getting a full-kerf blade seems a workable solution.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   bsutton | Jan 04, 2008 01:35am | #7

   Do you know who sells the Biesmeyer splitter?

1. 
   slo | Jan 04, 2008 02:22am | #8

   Biesmeyer was bought by Delta so you can get from them or any one that handles delta products

2. 
   ScottW2 | Jan 04, 2008 09:29am | #9

   Any Delta dealer should be able to order one.  That said, I just received and installed one on my Jet left tilt cabinet saw today!  I ordered mine from Mikes Tools (http://www.mikestools.com), it was the only place I could find it advertised online and I have ordered from there before -- always great service.  The Jet version of this splitter has been on back-order since October, due to Delta buying/moving the Bies production line.  They finally started filling the back-orders last week.

   It probably took me about 10 minutes to remove all the old guard/splitter mounting hardware and initially install the Bies splitter.  Then another hour or so getting it aligned -- there is a certain amount of trial-and-error here, trying to get it perfectly square and in-line with the blade.

   I ran a few test cuts and am very happy with it.  Do be aware of the thickness; it only works with full-kerf (0.125") blades.  Can't use it with thin-kerf blades.

   ...Scott