Gidday all - from an old woman
OK - I'm from the far south coast of NSW and a relative newcomer (as will be seen) to serious woodwork. I've taken it up because my husband has taken over our office and the computer (!!) and we don't occupy a small space together very well. So, I got the workshop - a good trade IMHO.
After lurking for a while, I'm posting now because I got attacked by my table saw yesterday :B and came into the forum to read up on kickback, and the GRR-Ripper etc. I admit to everything - including doing all the "don'ts". HOWEVER, in my defence, my old el very cheapo table saw didn't bite - I guess because it has a river/splitter - and I got used to working without the guard, which was crap and a nuisance. (I didn't know what that "thing" behind the blade was for, and the manual didn't explain.) Anyway, I lashed out and bought myself a new 10" Makita and started sawing away - without the guard. Total ecstasy until a filthy great pine board came flying through the air at (I am told) 125MPH and savaged my shoulder. Luckily it wasn't my head. Although my head probably needed a good knock to get some sense into it.
So, I am off to buy a GRR-Ripper after reading up on it. None of the featherboards I have seen that look good will fit my system, and the Ripper looks like a great option. One more trip to what my hubby calls the bottomless piggybank. If I ever make anything remarkable all this capital expenditure will be justified .....
Great forum BTW.
Cheers