Replies

1. 
   Jimma | Mar 27, 2009 07:52pm | #1

   OK, how would I do it on my PM-66?

1. 
   EdgeGrain | Mar 27, 2009 08:11pm | #2

   I think it would be simple for a company such as Powermatic or Delta to make a retrofit riving knife of similar design to General - if they wanted to.

   Here's the General manual     http://www.general.ca/manuel/650R-T50_EN.pdf

   Looks as all that's needed is to change the arbour bracket and add the riving knife mechanism.

   Edited 3/27/2009 1:29 pm ET by EdgeGrain

1. 
   Jimma | Mar 27, 2009 08:44pm | #3

   Might even be able to install one from General -- but it would be a helluva job to get access to the arbor and drill and tap the holes, at least for me. Thanks.

1. 
   EdgeGrain | Mar 27, 2009 08:49pm | #4

   I'm told General offers a retrofit kit for their saws now.

1. 
   Jimurock | Mar 28, 2009 01:15am | #6

   When a friend of mine asked about a retrofit for an older General a year or so ago he was told that it was going to cost upward of $700.  He suddenly lost interest.  Given the amount of change required to the arbor assembly, and the limited market, such a pricetag is really no surprise.

   Jim

2. 
   JohnWW | Mar 27, 2009 11:55pm | #5

   You can't add a riving knife to an older style cabinet saw because the knife mount needs to raise and lower with the blade, which wasn't possible with the older saws. To get the blade moving with the blade the entire blade and arbor mechanism needs to be reengineered.

   John White
   Shop Manager for FWW, 1999-2007

1. 
   EdgeGrain | Mar 28, 2009 01:17am | #7

   Actually, if you look at the General drawings they have simply machined a boss on the arbor bracket casting to mount the riving knife mechanism. They have not reengineered the saw.

   I understand the retrofit kit is 500.00

   Edited 3/27/2009 6:18 pm ET by EdgeGrain

2. 
   Knotscott | Mar 28, 2009 05:57am | #8

   Bob Ross has developed a device called the Bolt On Ripping Knife (BORK), which attaches to the arbor swingarm of an existing cabinet saw.  The knife mimics a riving knife...it attaches directly behind the blade, and travels up/down and tilts with the blade.  The biggest difference between the BORK and a true riving knife is that it travels in a slight arc due to being on the end of a swing arm, as opposed to straight up and down with a traditional riving knife.  I've had one in my Shop Fox W1677 since August and it works well.  It'll also fit the Griz 1023 and the Craftsman "zipcode" saws, among others. 

   View Image

   View Image

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 29, 2009 02:51am | #9

   I also have a BORK on a 70s vintage Unisaw and it has performed well.  I did have to make couple modifications but they were relatively easy to do.   I couldn't get full blade height as the bracket was hitting the bottom of the ZCI I had made.

   The long bolt on the bracket had to be shortened (hacksaw) and the bracket had to be bent.  Wasn't sure how to go about this but a phone call to Bob and life is good.  Just to be sure I took the bracket to a friend with a horizontal metal cutting bandsaw to remove the small wedges of metal so we could bend the bracket.  Didn't want to cause the bracket to go out of alignment.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   Biscardi | Mar 29, 2009 03:00am | #10

   How much does the BORK cost?

   I wonder if I can put one on my Delta Cabinet Saw?

    

   Frank

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 29, 2009 03:09am | #11

   I paid $100 and here's Bobs WEBsite: http://shop.walnutacrewoodworking.com/main.sc;jsessionid=7CC8B391389EAF756D76C655CE9F84F2.qscstrfrnt01

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!